Rail-Connected Logistics from Antwerp to Northern France

An integrated logistics flow combining rail transport, bonded warehousing and electric last-mile delivery to connect the Port of Antwerp-Bruges with customers across Northern France.

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4 weekly rail services

Regular connections to Rekkem

Bonded warehousing

Stock ready on demand

Rail + storage + e-trucks

One combined multimodal flow

Antwerp to Northern France

A direct inland connection

Executive Summary

Connecting Antwerp with Northern France

By combining rail, warehousing, and last-mile electric transport, Gosselin has created an efficient and reliable supply chain for paper reels moving between the Port of Antwerp-Bruges and Northern France. The solution balances cost efficiency, operational flexibility, and sustainability.

The Challenge

Building a flexible inland Supply chain

Paper reels arriving at the Port of Antwerp-Bruges needed a logistics solution that could efficiently bridge the distance to customers in Northern France while maintaining reliability, flexibility, and competitive transport costs.

The challenge was not only moving cargo inland but also creating a supply chain capable of supporting customer demand with responsive stock availability and sustainable last-mile delivery.

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Combining Rail, Warehousing and Electric Delivery

Gosselin developed an integrated multimodal logistics flow connecting the Port of Antwerp-Bruges with its LAR terminal in Rekkem.

Upon arrival at the port, containers are transferred directly onto rail services heading to Rekkem. With three to four daily connections, cargo moves quickly and efficiently inland.

At the terminal, paper reels are unloaded and stored in a dedicated bonded warehouse, allowing inventory to be deployed on demand. This warehousing component adds flexibility to the supply chain while ensuring product availability when customers need it.

For the final leg of the journey, deliveries to customers in Northern France are carried out by e-truck whenever possible.

The Impact

More flexibility from port to customer

The combination of rail transport, strategic warehousing, and sustainable last-mile distribution creates a streamlined supply chain with multiple operational advantages.

By shifting the long-distance leg to rail, the solution provides an efficient connection between the port and inland destination. Dedicated storage capacity enables rapid response to customer demand, while regular rail departures ensure predictable cargo flows.

The use of e-trucks for final delivery further supports sustainability objectives without compromising service levels.

A more efficient Multimodal Supply Chain

This multimodal logistics solution demonstrates how rail, warehousing, and sustainable road transport can be combined into a single integrated supply chain, delivering reliability, flexibility, and operational efficiency from the Port of Antwerp-Bruges to customers across Northern France.