Having lower emissions of carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxides, as well as particulate matter than road transport is crucial to make optimal use of all available modes of transport in order to keep the port accessible.
The Port of Rotterdam Authority, ProRail, and Swietelsky Rail Benelux have given the go-ahead for the construction of the Maasvlakte Zuid (EMZ) Railway Yard. The first phase of the project involves the construction of the initial bundle of six sidings suitable for 740-meter trains and various connections to existing rail infrastructure.
This bundle will be commissioned in mid-2027, and the remaining three will be implemented in phases depending on rail freight transport forecasts in the period after 2027. Construction has officially begun on the first bundle and the various connections as part of the new Maasvlakte Zuid Railway Yard (EMZ). Construction of the EMZ is necessary, as per the press release, to facilitate the growth of rail freight transport from the Maasvlakte to the European hinterland.
Container throughput in the port of Rotterdam is expected to continue increasing in the coming years. And to continue transporting the ever-increasing flow of containers to and from the hinterland efficiently, Port of Rotterdam Authority, ProRail, and the Ministry of Infrastructure & Water Management are investing in sustainable and efficient rail infrastructure.
Crucial for the Economy
The Port of Rotterdam highlighted that efficient and accessible international rail connections with short transit times from ports and industrial clusters are crucial for the economy and society, and provide a competitive advantage for the Netherlands. These are key prerequisites for the seaports and for the Dutch economy. It noted that the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T), and specifically the Rail Freight Corridors, enable greater volumes of cargo to be transported by rail more quickly and with minimal delays – safely, reliably, and sustainably.
The Maasvlakte Zuid railway yard is suitable for freight trains with a length of 740 metres, considerably longer than the current standard length of approximately 600 metres. The longer trains offer several advantages, including more containers to be transported in a single trip. And this also means fewer train movements, lower emissions, and reduced costs per tonne of freight. various infrastructure projects are planned until 2040 to enhance rail accessibility to the Maasvlakte. The Port Authority is implementing these projects in phases in collaboration with ProRail and the Ministry of Infrastructure & Water Management.
It also includes the electrification of the distribution triangle and the outer contour, the modification of the C2 curve, and the construction of two through tracks.
Future-proof Port
Port of Rotterdam Authority stated that the construction of the EMZ is to encourage rail freight transport. Having lower emissions of carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxides, as well as particulate matter, than road transport is crucial to make optimal use of all available modes of transport in order to keep the port accessible. Not only by investing in new infrastructure, but also by using existing capacity in a smarter and more efficient way. This requires a joint approach in which market parties and public organizations continuously work together on improvement.
Digital solutions play a key role in this. Additional measures to relieve congestion on the road network and encourage the transport of containers by inland waterway are also important in this regard. ProRail and the Port of Rotterdam Authority are fully committed to a robust hinterland rail connection. This allows more containers to be transported by rail rather than road, thereby reducing road congestion and providing a reliable alternative to inland waterway transport during periods of low water levels.
