Ghent port expands rail hub to boost freight by half

North Sea Port Flanders in Ghent has opened a modernised rail hub to handle longer freight trains, aiming to raise the share of goods moved by rail from 10 per cent to 15 per cent by 2030.

The upgraded Mercator rail yard now has six tracks of 750 metres, in line with the European standard for freight trains. It replaces the older set-up of shorter tracks that had reached capacity, with nearly 4,000 train movements recorded in 2022.

Located between the John F. Kennedylaan and the Ghent-Terneuzen canal, the site is strategically important for major companies including Volvo, DFDS and ArcelorMittal.

A second phase of works, running until 2029, will add signals and automated switches to further improve efficiency. 

The 12.5 million euro project was funded with 4 million euros from Belgium’s federal government and 8.5 million euros from the EU.

“This upgrade helps us contribute to the federal goal of doubling freight by rail by 2030”, said Cas König, CEO of North Sea Port.

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^{#FlandersNewsService | A freight train in Ghent © BELGA PHOTO JONAS D'HOLLANDER}