Gosselin Logistics expands intermodal rail service with a fourth train between Antwerp and Rekkem, on the French border

Gosselin Logistics is expanding its intermodal rail connection between Rekkem and Antwerp with a fourth weekly train service. The additional service responds to the growing demand for a reliable alternative to road transport and underscores the company’s ambition to further develop rail transport as a sustainable logistics solution.

“With four regular connections per week, we can offer our customers even greater reliability,” says  Kevin Van den Langenbergh who is in charge of intermodal planning as head of transportplanning. "The train arrives in Rekkem in the morning, is unloaded and reloaded, and departs back to Antwerp that same morning. With a transit time of just four hours, we can be highly flexible in our planning."

Reliability as our greatest asset

"The train accesses the terminal via the rail side rather than the waterfront," explains Operations Manager Alexander Demon. "As a result, it is not affected by congestion at the quays. This makes rail a particularly reliable alternative to barge and truck transport."

That reliability is becoming increasingly important given the higher demands for predictability and fixed transit times. The Port of Antwerp-Bruges is also encouraging the further growth of rail transport, where significant expansion capacity remains available.

Strong partnership, open-access service

The service is operated by rail operator Medway, while Gosselin handles the commercial organization and capacity allocation. 

Although the trains are primarily handled via MPET Berth 1742/1718, Gosselin can also serve Terminal 1700. “That flexibility allows us to offer a reliable rail solution to various shipping lines,” says Demon.

Toward daily connections

The expansion to four trains is part of a broader ambition. “Our ultimate goal is a daily connection between Rekkem and Antwerp,” concludes Van den Langenbergh. “With five scheduled departures per week, we can a system where import and export flows are seamlessly aligned. This gives customers maximum predictability and positions rail a fully-fledged alternative within the intermodal logistics chain. In this way, we’re continuing to build a high-performance intermodal network that’s ready for the future.”

About Gosselin Logistics

Gosselin Logistics is a leading provider of logistics services. With activities ranging from terminal operations, forwarding and warehouse storage to customs formalities Gosselin Logistics can offer its customers a constant supply chain. Heavy-Gosselin is a division of Gosselin Logistics specialized in industrial projects.  

Gosselin Logistics is a division of the Gosselin Group that has its headquarters in Antwerp, Belgium. The company was founded in 1930 and employs a staff of 1,500 that generates more than 450 million euros in turnover.