The rail terminal of the Dutch Port of Moerdijk will be prepared for 740-metre length trains. In addition, a new switch connection will be established. The Dutch government has made available 7 million Euros for the upgrade works, which will help to alleviate the congested terminal.

Due to an increase in rail freight transport to and from Moerdijk, particularly through container transport, the current yard offers too little capacity for carrying out various processes, such as loading and unloading, emplacement and maintenance, explained the port authority.

Optimalisation

Two new tracks of 740 metre in length will be constructed on the Zuidelijke Randweg. An additional siding will be built, so that the container terminal can be reached from the yard without additional shunting work. “The advantage of this is that trains can be handled faster, processes at the yard speed up and safety is increased”, the company said.

With the measures, the congestion at the terminal should be eliminated. The terminal currently has three short tracks, which means that the trains have to be cut up in order to be loaded and unloaded. The port company wants to extend the tracks to 740 meters, so that trains no longer need to be cut and the transshipment capacity of containers is increased.

Financing

The 7-million Euros grant was made available due to the joint efforts of the Moerdijk Port Authority and the Province of Noord-Brabant. The port authority has also applied for a European CEF fund for the expansion of rail terminal capacity. CEF stands for Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), and is a European financing tool for railway projects that enhance the operability of the EUropean railway network. Facilitation of 740-metre trains is seen as one of the key factors contributing to a more efficient raiway.