Lineas and BASF celebrate 1000th freight shuttle: a milestone for sustainable and efficient Rail Transport

Since its launch in December 2021, this high-frequency service has grown into a true “rolling pipeline” – a vital part of the joint ambition to make logistics more sustainable, reliable, and digital.

The collaboration between Lineas and BASF is built on years of trust and reflects a shared commitment to promoting the modal shift, with both companies actively supporting the transition from road to rail. Within this framework, Single Wagon Load (SWL) transport continues to play an important role, especially for certain chemical products that are legally required to be transported by rail due to safety regulations.

Both companies are leaders in their respective sectors and are fully committed to innovation and transformation. Lineas is investing heavily in rail digitalization, including the MyLineas platform, which enables real-time booking, tracking, and full operational transparency. BASF is modernizing chemical logistics by transitioning from traditional wagon loads to specialized BASF tank containers, offering greater flexibility, safety, and smoother integration with other transport modes.

BASF is also strongly committed to sustainability by electrifying its rail infrastructure and deliberately choosing rail transport as an environmentally friendly alternative for moving goods between its sites. These efforts support BASF’s broader sustainability goals to reduce emissions and use resources more efficiently.

By combining their expertise and strategic vision, BASF and Lineas are helping to shape the future of safe, smart, and sustainable freight transport in Europe.

Erik van Ockenburg, CEO Lineas: “Our collaboration with BASF is an example of what a strategic logistics partnership can achieve. From operational excellence to shared sustainability goals, the success of our shuttle between Antwerp and Ludwigshafen proves how rail freight can truly make an impact when customer and operator work together.”

Stefan Vodrazka, Vice President Logistics and Procurement at BASF Antwerp:"At BASF Antwerp, reliable and competitive partnerships are essential. We are pleased to have found such a logistics partner in Lineas. Moreover, this shuttle keeps more than 17,000 trucks off the road each year, significantly reducing CO₂ emissions in our logistics operations and supporting our climate goals."

Steffen Erlewein, Director Bulk Operations at BASF Ludwigshafen: "At BASF, the Verbund structure has always been – and will remain – key to efficient and sustainable chemical production. As we strive to reduce our carbon footprint at both sites, an efficient (rail) connection between them is crucial. Therefore, we are very proud to have found a partner in Lineas – a reliable logistics provider who supports us in achieving our sustainability goals and reinforces our position as a preferred partner in the green transformation of the chemical industry.”

About BASF

At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. Our ambition: to be the preferred chemical company enabling our customers’ green transformation. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. Around 112,000 employees in the BASF Group contribute to the success of our customers in nearly all industries and almost every country in the world. Our core business comprises the segments Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, and Nutrition & Care; our independent operations are grouped under the segments Surface Technologies and Agricultural Solutions. In 2024, BASF generated sales of €65.3 billion. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchange in Frankfurt (BAS), and in the United States as American Depositary Receipts (BASFY).

More information at www.basf.com

About BASF Antwerp

BASF established its presence in the Port of Antwerp 60 years ago. Since then, the site has grown into the largest integrated production center in Belgium and the second largest BASF site worldwide. Every day, more than 3,700 employees work across approximately fifty production facilities, manufacturing essential building blocks for various products used in nearly all processing industries. These include the automotive and construction sectors, as well as the production of paper, leather goods, sporting equipment, textiles, food, and pharmaceuticals.

The product range at BASF Antwerp includes basic and specialty chemicals, plastics and intermediates, performance products, and inorganics. Since its pioneering days in Antwerp, BASF has consistently aimed to strike a balance between the economic, ecological, and social needs of society.

More information at http://www.basf.be/antwerpen

About Lineas

Lineas helps companies make their supply chains climate-neutral by shifting their cargo from road to rail, reducing CO2 emissions by 90%. To this end, the company has built the largest private rail network in Europe offering customers fast, daily and reliable connections across the continent. Lineas has nearly 2,000 employees and is headquartered in Belgium with offices in France, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Spain.

Lineas is the largest private rail freight company with the independent private equity group Argos Wityu (90%), FPIM and Lineas management as shareholders.

For more information about Lineas, visit our website www.lineas.net