Lineas and ECS strengthen sustainable transport with new rail link to Germany
Lineas, Europe's largest private rail freight operator, and ECS, a market leader in supply chain solutions and intermodal transport, are proud to announce the launch of a new, sustainable freight train connection between Zeebrugge and Crailsheim (Stuttgart region) in Germany. Thanks to this cooperation, three trains will be running back and forth every week, taking more than 11,000 containers off the road per year – which is good for a CO2 saving of 2,600 tons. With this new route, ECS is moving closer to its goal of reaching 100 million kilometers traveled annually by rail by 2030.
Starting in September, the first freight trains will travel over the new rail connection between Zeebrugge and Crailsheim, Germany. This route connects seamlessly with the existing rail and shortsea connections to, among others, the United Kingdom and Ireland, and further strengthens the logistics network of the intermodal transport specialist ECS. The commissioning of the rail connection was made possible in cooperation with Lineas, the largest private rail freight operator in Europe.
Over 11,000 containers
The new connection will carry 42 containers back and forth between Zeebrugge and Crailsheim, three times a week. This will take more than 11,000 containers and as many trucks trips off the road each year, which will not only reduce traffic but also significantly reduce CO2 emissions. The estimated savings amount to as much as 2,600 tons of CO2 per year.
New loading and unloading method
The new rail link uses a new loading and unloading method in which the full set of wagons to be unloaded is disconnected, and a set of wagons, that is already filled, is picked up. This method minimizes loading time and allows the 751-kilometer route to be completed within 24 hours, with minimal time loss and high punctuality compared with congestion-prone track transport.
Sustainability
Bernard Gustin, Executive Chairman of Lineas, emphasizes: "This collaboration underscores our shared commitment to providing sustainable transportation solutions that not only improve supply chain efficiency, but also help reduce CO2 emissions. Together with ECS, we are taking an important step towards a greener future."