Antwerp will be the starting point for two new international rail freight services. XPO Logistics is launching a new multimodal route from Antwerp to Istanbul, and Kombiverkehr will be operating a route to Madrid.

XPO Logistics’ 2600-kilometre route between Antwerp and Istanbul will involve both road and rail transportation. It will reduce the transit time from 10 to 8 days, according to the company. Besides the road-rail combination, XPO Logistics will also be offering a rail service between Duisburg and Trieste, from where goods can continue their journey to Turkish Izmir via shortsea shipping.

“Our dedication to multimodal transport solutions has been highly successful, strengthening XPO´s position in the combined road, sea and rail transportation market. The implementation of multimodal solutions is a crucial step in enhancing the efficiency of our customers’ goods movement while also reducing their supply chain carbon footprint to help them meet sustainability objectives”, a representative of XPO Logistics commented.”

Antwerp – Madrid route

We are confident that the new corridor between Belgium and Turkey will result in environmental efficiencies, enhanced safety, and reduced transit times for our customers.”

Moreover, Kombiverkehr is launching a new intermodal rail service between the Combinant terminal in the Port of Antwerp and the Abroginal terminal in Madrid. It plans to launch the service on 3 September. The company offers transportation services for containers, swap bodies, safe and dangerous goods, Kombiverkehr says. Trains will run twice a week.