Military transport near Venlo, NL. Shutterstock
The Netherlands is receiving a 51 million euro European subsidy to prepare the rail network for faster and easier military transport, as reported by ProRail. With the funding, logistics service provider Verbrugge Zeeland will extend the terminal tracks in the port of Vlissingen. ProRail will use a portion of the subsidy for siding tracks for 740-metre-long freight trains.
The European Union (EU) aims to enhance the transportation of troops and equipment among its member states and NATO allies within its territories, according to Dutch infrastructure manager, ProRail. The initiative is in response to the growing military threat, particularly along the eastern borders of the EU. The rail system is part of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T). “With the funding, Verbrugge Zeeland will extend two tracks in the port of Vlissingen. These are terminal tracks, where freight trains are loaded and unloaded. The Zeeland seaport is a location where military equipment frequently enters Europe. Longer terminal tracks will allow us to load and unload longer trains more efficiently.”
ProRail will use the subsidy to construct waiting and siding tracks for 740-metre-long freight trains at five locations in the Netherlands: Rotterdam-Noord, Lage Zwaluwe, Waalhaven Zuid, Onnen, and Roosendaal station. According to the rail manager, “Regular freight and passenger transport will benefit from these rail adjustments.”
The overall rail capacity will increase, making it feasible to operate 740-metre-long freight trains,” says ProRail. “The market has been ready for this for a long time, but the rail system is not. We have been requesting investments in sufficient rail capacity for sustainable rail freight transport. Preparing freight corridors for 740-metre trains is part of that. Rail freight carriers can then operate their services more efficiently and, therefore, more cost-effectively.”
This article first appeared in our sister publication, SpoorPro.nl.
