Maasvlakte Zuid: Rotterdam’s Rail Expansion for Longer Freight Trains Key Terms and Prioritization: 1. **Maasvlakte Zuid:** (Project Name – High Priority) 2. **Port of Rotterdam:** (Project Partner/Location – High Priority) 3. **ProRail:** (Project Partner – High Priority) 4. **Freight Trains:** (Keyword – High Priority) 5. **Rotterdam:** (Location – Medium Priority) 6. **Rail Infrastructure:** (Keyword – Medium Priority) 7. **740-meter:** (Specific Metric – Medium Priority) 8. **Netherlands:** (Country – Medium Priority – Indirectly through Rotterdam and Kijfhoek) 9. **Europoort:** (Location – Low Priority) 10. **Kijfhoek:** (Freight Rail Yard – Low Priority) 11. **Railways:** (Keyword – Low Priority)

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Introduction

Construction of the Maasvlakte Zuid railway yard, designed to accommodate 740-meter-long freight trains, has commenced near Europoort, a project undertaken by the Port of Rotterdam Authority and ProRail. The initial phase includes constructing the first six sidings and connecting them to the existing rail network, with commissioning planned for mid-2027.

Project Overview

The Maasvlakte Zuid railway yard is under construction to support longer freight trains, increasing the standard length from approximately 600m to 740m. The Port of Rotterdam Authority and ProRail have started construction on the Maasvlakte Zuid (EMZ) railway yard on reclaimed land next to Europoort.

Construction Details

Work has begun on the project’s initial phase, which involves construction of the first bundle of six sidings, along with connections to the existing rail network.

Operational Goals and Timeline

The Maasvlakte Zuid railway yard is being built to accommodate longer freight trains, enabling a shift from the current standard length of around 600m to 740m. Project representatives indicated that the use of longer trains will allow for more containers per trip, with fewer train movements required. The partners plan to commission this first segment in mid-2027, with further expansion to follow as future freight demand dictates. This development responds to growing container volumes at the Port of Rotterdam and aims to improve efficiency in connections between the port and inland European destinations.

Funding and Strategic Alignment

Funding partners, including the Port of Rotterdam Authority, ProRail, and the Ministry of Infrastructure & Water Management, are investing in rail infrastructure to support increased container throughput and maintain efficient transport links. The project also aligns with European policy frameworks such as the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) and its Rail Freight Corridors, which seek to move more freight by rail across the continent’s logistics network. Infrastructure improvement work in the Maasvlakte area is scheduled to continue until 2040. In addition to the new yard’s possible expansion to up to four bundles of six tracks, planned upgrades include electrification of certain rail sections and modification of the C2 curve.

Kijfhoek

Kijfhoek is the largest freight rail yard in the Netherlands, covering 50ha and serving as a vital logistics hub connecting the Port of Rotterdam with major European industrial centres, including the Rhine Valley.

Conclusion

The Port of Rotterdam Authority and ProRail are developing the Maasvlakte Zuid railway yard to accommodate 740-meter-long freight trains. The initial phase, involving six sidings, is expected to be commissioned by mid-2027, with ongoing infrastructure improvements planned until 2040.

Company Summary

Port of Rotterdam Authority: A key player in the development of the Maasvlakte Zuid railway yard.

ProRail: Involved in the construction of the Maasvlakte Zuid railway yard.

Ministry of Infrastructure & Water Management: A funding partner for the rail infrastructure project.

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