As from 8th May the German rail operator Kombiverkehr will start a new rail connection between Ludwigshafen and Moerdijk. This container train with a length of 650 mtr will arrive 5 x per week at Moerdijk. This train will be operated in combination with the current Duisburg train that arrives 3 x per week at Moerdijk (and will in consequence be upgraded to 5 x per week)

 

Lineas Intermodal ( previously called IFB ) will upgrade their services from Segrate ( Milano ) to Moerdijk from 5x per week to 6 x per week as from June. ‘We are very pleased with the performance and the utilisation of the train’ according to a spokesman of the company that re-branded just recently their name.

 

Den Hartogh Dry Bulk Logistics in co-operation with CTS/Meulenberg will start operating a 3 x weekly rail service between Geleen ( Southern Holland ) and Moerdijk. This is mainly based upon the polymer volumes of Den Hartogh’s customer in Geleen which are serviced by the Dry Bulk , 30 ft Bag in Box system.The rail service is on request open for other containerized cargo as well. 

 

Erik Jan de Bree, Intermodal & Procurement Manager at den Hartogh Dry Bulk Logistics quotes: "we are very happy that we have managed together with our main customer and partners to start this service between Geleen and  Moerdijk. It shows that even within short distances we are able to move goods in an efficient and environmentally friendly mode . Moerdijk is for us the most logical port to combine it with".

 

 

 

 

'With all the projects that we have worked upon over recent months the demand for more capacity on the short sea ex Moerdijk became a necessity' says Michael van Keulen, Operations Director at A2B-online Container. We have bought MS Phoenix II, a Sietas 160A type of container vessel with a capacity of 650 TEU. She will be the largest vessel that we operate and I expect her to come in service during the summer of this year. This will be our fourth vessel that we own next to the two chartered ones!

 

Basically we can operate her on all routes but we are in conversation with the terminals in order to ensure that the ship can be handled within the available port stay so our sailing schedule remains reliable.

The growth and the development of the company is fantastic to experience. The response of our customers is stimulating us every day again!"

 

To facilitate all the above in Moerdijk the terminal operator C.C.T. ( Combined CargoTerminals) has invested in two new cranes.

 

"One for the handling at the rail tracks and the other one for the maritime side" explains Luc Smits, Managing Director of CCT. " The growth of the business has made us decide to do this and it will give us the facility to grow along mainly with A2B-online Container. We have made changes in the layout of the terminal to maintain the current dwell time and we are running a project to improve the accessibility of the terminal as well with a new app system ( fast lane facility )  that we hope to have operational by the end of this year".

"The Port of Moerdijk puts a lot of energy and time in the improvement and development of the infrastructure in and around the Port. The support and understanding that we receive from the Management and Board of the Port of Moerdijk is excellent.

 

They know that their input and assistance is crucial to execute all the projects and to enabling them in realizing their Port strategy as far as short sea and intermodal is concerned" says Gerard de Groot , Managing Director A2B-online Container. "You need all parties involved including the Port Authority as you are as strong as the weakest chain and it is good to experience that they recognize that as well".