Zeebrugge starts train shuttle to Northern French Dourges

In January a covenant was signed for the start-up of a regular container rail shuttle between the port of Zeebrugge and the city of Dourges in Northern France. The train shuttle is an initiative of PortConnect (daughter company of MBZ), APM Terminals Zeebrugge, PSA Zeebrugge, Inter Ferry Boats and Naviland Cargo. The last two provide the rail service.
The service between Zeebrugge and the trimodal platform Delta 3 in Dourges started this morning on a basis of three times per week. The train will load and unload in Zeebrugge at Container Handling Zeebrugge, APM Terminals and P&O Ferries. The service will focus on deepsea and shortsea containers.
 

Dourges is strategically located in a European distribution and industrial region, at the priority axis Lille-Paris. From Dourges the container cargo can also track to destinations in Southern Europe (Bordeaux, Lyon, Toulouse, Barcelona, etc.).
The covenant stipulates that the shuttle is a multi-user service. The service is at the disposal of the entire market.
The start-up of the new train connection fits in with the hinterland strategy of the Zeebrugge port, which aims at following the cargo. Especially in the container sector shipping companies decide to have their mega vessels moor at ports where sufficient cargo is available. In this respect Zeebrugge focuses on the establishment of logistic platforms in the so-called own hinterland, in this case, Northern France.

Press release in French: Communiqué de presse - Zeebrugge lance train navette vers Dourges.pdf