Six rail operators – Rail Force One, HSL Netherlands, DB Cargo Nederland, RTB Cargo, LTE Rail Europe, and Rail Cargo Group – signed an agreement coordinated by the Port of Rotterdam Authority aimed at strengthening operational cooperation on the port rail line. The companies collectively control approximately 70% of the market and will operate under a new cooperation model designed to improve the sustainability of transportation.
Under the so-called Track Together Agreement, the operators will be able to take over each other’s services at fixed rates in the event of capacity shortages. This mechanism will prevent train cancellations and significant delays, and will also provide a backup plan for schedule deviations. In the event of disruptions, trains will be quickly rerouted, and terminals will clear tracks promptly, ensuring the planned schedule is maintained. The Track Together initiative will launch on April 1, 2026, as a seven-month pilot project with the possibility of subsequent permanent implementation.
The agreement covers the entire port railway line – from Kiefhof to Maasvlakte and all intermediate stations and terminals – including train handover procedures and the division of responsibilities between participants. According to industry representatives, this format ensures more transparent process organization and improves safety and operational efficiency. As Jordi Hermes, Product Design Specialist at LTE Rail Europe, noted, the Track Together platform enhances information sharing between operators and makes the Port of Rotterdam railway network more reliable and manageable for all participants.