A new port-hinterland shuttle started this week, connecting the port of Antwerp with Neuss in Germany. The connection has two trains per week, shuttling between Antwerp’s right bank – PSA Noordzeeterminal 913 – and the trimodal hub in Neuss. The service is being marketed by Optimodal, a joint subsidiary of Kombiverkehr and DB Cargo.

In Neuss, there are numerous forwarding options for maritime shipments to the European hinterland, such as Switzerland, Austria, Hungary or Italy. In Antwerp, port transfers can be organised from PSA Noordzeeterminal 913 to PSA Europaterminal 869.

The new shuttle, which runs on modern interoperable locomotives from the DB Cargo fleet, transports ISO standard containers and will initially run twice a week in both directions. Trains depart in Neuss on Wednesday and Friday and in Antwerp on Tuesday and Thursday, for a journey that takes six days in total.

Port connections

The two parties have made port connections an important part of their network. In June, DB Cargo and Kombiverkehr started to expand the capacity of the shuttle between the port of Antwerp and Duisburg.

“Increasing globalisation requires a good network of connections to and from the ports in the hinterland in order to bring the goods quickly and reliably to the recipients. The western ports are an important gateway to Europe”, said DB Cargo.