The Port of Antwerp-Bruges has revealed plans to reorganise its train traffic, introducing a new operational model for Single Wagon Load.
The new operational model aims to be neutral and usable by all interested parties. In order to bundle this traffic, Railport Antwerpen launched a tendering process, and the winners are now known.
This is a first result of the rail vision for the port and should lead to a more efficient and better offering.
According to the port, significant advantages in efficiency and sustainability may be realised by better synchronising railcar deliveries and pickups, as well as combining delivery and collection within the port region. As a result, longer trains may be employed instead of a large number of short trains.
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Nils van Vliet, CEO Railport, said: “Although this was not an easy exercise, we are extremely happy with the result and with the huge support and backing from the industry and freight payers. Without their support we would not have succeeded. The project shows that together we can effectively change things by joining forces.
“Moreover, the project does not stop here. Railport will continue to monitor quality, organise area meetings to increase efficiency and take the necessary initiatives to accelerate the digitalisation exercise that has already started. We look to the future with hope.”
Railport has separated the port into zones based on aggregated volumes and operational optimisation in order to achieve this.
On that premise, Railport held a tender for the first and last mile in each zone. It was required to do so by goods payers in specific zones.
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Railport’s goal is to make first- and last-mile traffic more accessible to train operators and freight payers alike. The concept reduces fragmentation while increasing openness about their own commodities.
Participants in the goods payment system can now enter into first and last mile agreements with the selected railway operators. The selected operators will provide their services to all interested parties in an impartial way.
This means that even freight payers who had not yet submitted their volume in the tendering process can still join the project and make use of the services offered. This regulation will take effect on 1 January 2024.
