The Port of Rotterdam Authority, rail operator ProRail, and Swietelsky Rail Benelux have begun the first phase of the Maasvlakte Zuid freight station development project. This project involves the creation of a six-track yard capable of handling trains up to 740 meters long, as well as connecting sections to the existing rail network.
The contract for the work was signed in October 2024, and completion of the first phase is scheduled for mid-2027. The project is being implemented with the participation of ProRail, which received a grant from the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF).
The new infrastructure will accommodate longer trains, reducing the number of trips, reducing environmental impact, and lowering the cost of transporting one ton of freight. Three more yard sites are planned for the future, depending on the growth in freight volumes.