Infrabel invests hundreds of millions to upgrade rail operations in Antwerp 26/02/24
< ZurückAuthor: Nikos Papatolios
Infrabel invests hundreds of millions to upgrade rail operations in Antwerp
The Belgian rail Infrastructure Manager, Infrabel, has big plans for the port of Antwerp and its rail operations. Via a 130 million euro investment that will take place in the coming ten years, Infrabel aims to upgrade rail infrastructure in the Flemish port and tackle issues like restricted capacity, traffic jams, and accessibility for the port’s industries.
“With approximately 1,000 kilometres of port lines, rail plays a fundamental role in freight transport,” commented the Belgian IM, adding that a large part of the investment will target capacity expansion and the construction of new infrastructure.
Port industries highlighted
The purpose of this 130 million euro investment is to improve rail operational conditions while resolving several issues simultaneously. The port of Antwerp and its broader area constitute Belgium’s most critical logistical location, home to several industries, the chemical being the most prominent.
Infrabel targets those chemical companies relying heavily on rail and wants to make their life easier. In doing so, the IM will carry out a number of rail upgrade works. For instance, the plan foresees the doubling and electrification of the railway line L11, a project which also includes chemical company BASF and terminal Combinant.
At the same time, the plan also includes renovating the Antwerp North train station, which will be transformed into a freight train assembly location. Antwerp North is vital for single wagonload transport to and from Antwerp and “particularly important for the chemical and steel industries,” according to Infrabel.
More capacity
“The capacity at the port’s terminals is at its limit. There is a need for additional container capacity,” underlined Infrabel. “That is why we are investing in building the new, electrified track bundle West (Verrebroek), and the track configuration of the busy North Sea terminal is being adjusted and expanded,” added the Belgian IM.
On top of that, and to accommodate the maritime container terminals and their rail connections even more, Infrabel will double the port line 221 and remove level crossings to achieve “smoother and safer freight traffic”. The capacity enhancement attempt will be carried out via the Extra Container Capacity Antwerp (ECA), coordinated jointly by the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, Maatschappij Linkerscheldeoever and the Flemish regional government.
More work against traffic congestion
As mentioned above, Antwerp is probably the busiest logistical location in Belgium. Understandably, increased traffic impacts road infrastructure heavily, resulting in traffic jams and an increased demand for a modal shift to rail. Part of Infrabel’s plans for Antwerp include solutions for this issue, too.
Specifically, Infrabel wants to provide the missing capacity and facilitate the shift to rail by investing in the track bundle in Oorderen, which, according to the IM, is the second most important track bundle on the right bank of the Scheldt-Rhine canal. “Here, we will renew switches and make them electronically (remotely) operable and will also electrify three tracks. These adjustments ensure smoother and faster handling of freight trains,” concluded Infrabel.