A new direct train connection between the Port of Rotterdam and the logistic hub of Venlo in the Netherlands was launched last week. The railway link connects the APM Terminals on Maasvlakte II with the Cabooter Terminal in Venlo. In total, three trains a week will depart in each direction.

The railway connection doubles the number of train services from Rotterdam to the Cabooter Terminal in Venlo. In June this year, the trains of European Gateway Services (EGS) started calling on the terminal in the south of the Netherlands.

Important link

“This shuttle to Venlo contributes to a faster removal of containers from Rotterdam into the hinterland. Venlo is an important logistics hub and with the new rail terminal coming up, the future growth of this type of traffic has been secured”, said APM’s Roy de Haan.

Hans Cabooter CEO of the Cabooter Group Venlo added: “This train contributes to the modal shift. Units do not have to cross the road, but can come by rail. This increases the number of rush-hour avoidances in the Rotterdam area. For Venlo, this is a reinforcement of the already strong logistics position of Venlo.”

The companies

APM on Maasvlakte II opened in 2015. It is able to handle the largest container ships and has a capacity of 2.7 million TEUs. The Cabooter Group is a family business active in logistics since 1959. In 2014 they won the tender for the construction of the largest inland rail terminal in the Netherlands. In 2015, a terminal in Kaldenkirchen was purchased. In total, the Cabooter Group exploits 550000 M2 logistics activity.