The Port of Rotterdam Authority, ProRail and Swietelsky Rail Benelux gave the green light for the construction of the Maasvlakte Zuid Rail Yard (EMZ).
This took place in the presence of representatives from the Municipality of Rotterdam, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management and the European Parliament. The first phase of the project comprises the construction of the first set of six sidings, suitable for trains 740 meters in length, and various connections with the existing railway infrastructure.
This set will become operational in mid-2027. The three remaining sets will be implemented in phases, based on forecasts for rail freight transport from 2027 onwards.
Following preparatory work by Swietelsky, the construction of the first section and the various connections of the new Maasvlakte Zuid Rail Yard (EMZ) has officially begun. The construction of the EMZ is necessary to facilitate the growth of rail freight transport from Maasvlakte to the European hinterland.
Container traffic in the Port of Rotterdam is expected to continue increasing in the coming years. The import and export of containers is crucial for businesses and consumers in both the Netherlands and Europe and is therefore essential for European prosperity. To continue efficiently transporting the growing flow of containers to and from the hinterland, the Port of Rotterdam Authority, ProRail and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management are investing in sustainable and efficient railway infrastructure.
The Maasvlakte Zuid rail yard is suitable for freight trains with a length of 740 meters. This length is considerably greater than the current standard length of approximately 600 meters. Longer trains offer various advantages, as they allow for more containers to be transported in a single trip and this translates into fewer train movements, lower emissions and lower costs per ton of cargo.
