Lineas back on track with new Ghent-Lyon rail service

Image: Lineas

After laying low for a year, Lineas seems to be back on track. The company launched a new rail service with logistics firm DFDS to link the North Sea Port in Ghent and Port Edouard Hérriot in Lyon. The train will run thrice per week, while the roundtrips will increase to five weekly from mid-April.

Containers carrying food and chemical products, as well as cranable and non-cranable trailers moving industrial and automotive cargo, will all be on the ‘menu’ for customers. Moreover, the rail link will extend to Scandinavia via DFDS’ short-sea service between Ghent and the port of Gothenburg in Sweden, which sails six times a week.

Image: © Lineas.

A year of reforms

It was February 2022 when Lineas announced a sudden change of executive faces. Former CEO Geert Pauwels resigned due to the company’s poor financial performance, and Bernard Gustin was appointed as the company’s new head to help it get back on track.

Despite Lineas proceeding to acquisitions of operators and launching new routes, things didn’t appear so smooth in the background. Blame it on the pandemic, the floods of summer 2021 that impaired the company’s supply chains, or the increased operational costs due to the spiking energy prices; Lineas needed a change.

After Gustin took over, the Belgian private operator kept a low profile, mainly dealing with its financial reformation. A year later, Lineas might be signalling a fresh start with this new Ghent-Lyon rail service. Could this be a new beginning? Time will show. Nevertheless, the company seems to be implementing a more sober and step-by-step approach to its growth.

Author: Nikos Papatolios

Nikos Papatolios is the Editorial Coordinator of RailFreight.com, the online magazine for rail freight professionals.

Add your comment

characters remaining.

Log in through one of the following social media partners to comment.

Lineas back on track with new Ghent-Lyon rail service | RailFreight.com

Lineas back on track with new Ghent-Lyon rail service

Image: Lineas

After laying low for a year, Lineas seems to be back on track. The company launched a new rail service with logistics firm DFDS to link the North Sea Port in Ghent and Port Edouard Hérriot in Lyon. The train will run thrice per week, while the roundtrips will increase to five weekly from mid-April.

Containers carrying food and chemical products, as well as cranable and non-cranable trailers moving industrial and automotive cargo, will all be on the ‘menu’ for customers. Moreover, the rail link will extend to Scandinavia via DFDS’ short-sea service between Ghent and the port of Gothenburg in Sweden, which sails six times a week.

Image: © Lineas.

A year of reforms

It was February 2022 when Lineas announced a sudden change of executive faces. Former CEO Geert Pauwels resigned due to the company’s poor financial performance, and Bernard Gustin was appointed as the company’s new head to help it get back on track.

Despite Lineas proceeding to acquisitions of operators and launching new routes, things didn’t appear so smooth in the background. Blame it on the pandemic, the floods of summer 2021 that impaired the company’s supply chains, or the increased operational costs due to the spiking energy prices; Lineas needed a change.

After Gustin took over, the Belgian private operator kept a low profile, mainly dealing with its financial reformation. A year later, Lineas might be signalling a fresh start with this new Ghent-Lyon rail service. Could this be a new beginning? Time will show. Nevertheless, the company seems to be implementing a more sober and step-by-step approach to its growth.

Author: Nikos Papatolios

Nikos Papatolios is the Editorial Coordinator of RailFreight.com, the online magazine for rail freight professionals.

Add your comment

characters remaining.

Log in through one of the following social media partners to comment.