Contract signed for the construction of the first track bundle of Maasvlakte South Yard

Port Authority Rotterdam and Swietelsky Rail Benelux B.V. have signed the contract for the construction of a bundle of six storage tracks suitable for 740-meter trains as part of the new Maasvlakte South Yard (EMZ). This project has been realized in close collaboration with ProRail and using a European Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) subsidy.

Project Scope

Swietelsky will start the construction of the first track bundle in the spring of 2025, which will be put into operation in mid-2027. We are working on the construction of:

• Track bundle 1 of 12 km including 25kV overhead line
• 26 switches;
• Two relay houses for the +/- 100 new axle counters;
• One AT Station;
• 23kV power supply route for train safety and yard layout;
• Emergency roads and 8 level crossings;
• Firefighting facilities;
• Yard layout such as access gates, fencing, camera system, and lighting;
• Adjustment of the water management and creation of a new dune area.

The construction of the EMZ is necessary to facilitate the growth of rail freight transport from the Maasvlakte to the European hinterland. The construction will resolve the capacity bottleneck. A reliable and competitive rail product is essential for Rotterdam's position in the European hinterland. Container transshipment in the Port of Rotterdam is steadily growing in the coming years. To continue transporting the increasing flow of containers to the hinterland efficiently, Port Authority Rotterdam, ProRail, and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management are investing in sustainable and efficient rail development.

Achieving Climate Goals

The construction of the EMZ fits into the Port Authority's aim to promote rail freight transport. Rail freight transport has lower emissions of CO₂, NOₓ, and particulate matter than road transport. This aligns with the climate goals of the EU Green Deal, which aims to reduce transport emissions by 55% by 2030 and by 90% by 2050. The development of the EMZ helps Port Authority Rotterdam to reduce CO₂ emissions from hinterland and continental transport by 30% by 2030, in accordance with the Climate Agreement. Through the construction of the EMZ, the Port Authority expects to stimulate the composition of 6,750 additional trains annually between the Maasvlakte and the hinterland. This corresponds to the replacement of 675,000 truck trips per year.

Optimizing Rail Freight Transport

Port Authority Rotterdam and ProRail have developed the Logistics Vision Port Rail 2050. This vision provides insight into future capacity bottlenecks on the Port Rail line and how they can be resolved. Several infrastructure projects are planned until 2040 that will increase the accessibility of the Maasvlakte by rail and optimize
and make the logistics process more sustainable. These projects will be implemented in phases in collaboration with ProRail. In addition to the construction of the EMZ, the C2 curve will be adjusted, and further electrification of the Port Rail line will be pursued.