On September 5, 2024, Lineas and ECS announced the launch of a new container route connecting the Belgian port city of Zeebrugge with the German town of Krailsheim, located in the Stuttgart administrative district, this is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

New Container Route between Belgium and Germany
Photo: Lineas

This project marks a significant step in the development of European rail logistics.

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Under the new collaboration, three pairs of trains will operate weekly, each capable of transporting 42 containers.

The new route is expected to significantly reduce road freight transport.

Over the course of a year, more than 11,000 trucks will be taken off the roads, leading to a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by 2,600 tons.

This route will help ECS move closer to achieving its ambitious goal of 100 million train-kilometers annually by 2030.

To ensure the effective operation of the route, an innovative loading and unloading method has been developed, which involves handling groups of containers rather than individual wagons.

This approach significantly reduces loading and unloading times, allowing the 751 km journey to be completed in less than 24 hours.

The new method also ensures more precise adherence to schedules compared to road transport, making rail transport more reliable and efficient.

The introduction of the route will be a major contribution to environmental sustainability and the development of Europe’s transport infrastructure.

Photo: Lineas

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