Operated by Lineas, the service runs three times per week in both directions and forms part of PSA Antwerp's programme aimed at improving hinterland rail and waterway services.
Connection operational since early June
The first fully loaded container train departed Zeebrugge on 27 May 2025. Regular operations commenced on 2 June, providing a direct freight rail service between the two Belgian ports. The frequency has been set at six movements per week—three each way.
The service reinstates a previously suspended link and is integrated into PSA’s broader network of multimodal transport options. These include rail and inland waterways, intended as alternatives to road freight for port-related logistics.
Role of PSA and Lineas
The rail connection is coordinated as part of PSA Antwerp’s Hinterland Connectivity Program. PSA operates container terminals in Antwerp and Zeebrugge, handling unitised cargo as well as breakbulk and RoRo services. PSA Zeebrugge is included in the intermodal scope of the company’s terminal operations.
Lineas oversees all train movements on this route. Trains arriving at the PSA Noordzee Terminal make a scheduled stop at Lineas' MainHub in Antwerp. This intermediate point allows consolidation of export cargo and repositioning of empty containers for reuse. The train is utilised in both directions to maximise efficiency.
According to information released, the rail service is expected to carry up to 26,000 TEUs annually between the two terminals.
Complement to inland waterways
This new connection complements the inland waterway service that already links the ports of Zeebrugge and Antwerp. Customers of PSA Zeebrugge can choose between barge and rail for their hinterland movements. The addition of rail expands the set of options available for importers, exporters, and logistics companies working across the two terminals.
Network integration and modal shift goals
Lineas’ MainHub in Antwerp serves as a central platform for connecting the new port link to broader European destinations. The company is pursuing a modal shift policy by increasing the share of goods transported by rail rather than road. Through its scheduling and consolidation approach, the Antwerp hub aims to optimise routing to and from other locations in Belgium and neighbouring countries.
