Talks resume on reviving ‘Iron Rhine’ railway for military mobility

Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany are accelerating talks to restart the Iron Rhine railway, a 19th-century line linking Antwerp’s port to Germany’s Ruhr industrial region, amid growing security concerns over Russia.

In March, Flemish politicians already floated the idea of restarting the line, and Politico now reports that talks have resumed, with prime minister Bart De Wever taking the lead.

Once vital for Allied forces in World War II, the line has been largely unused since 1991. Belgium sees it as a way to boost both trade and EU military mobility, especially as other rail routes become congested.

The Netherlands is less keen. Its short section of track parallels the existing Betuwe freight line to Rotterdam, and Dutch officials fear the Iron Rhine could strengthen Antwerp at Rotterdam’s expense. Still, analysts say EU or NATO funding, with €17 billion proposed for military mobility from 2027, could sway Dutch support.

Past disputes include environmental costs, which a 2003 arbitration ruling left mostly to Belgium unless the Netherlands benefited directly. Germany is generally supportive, though the Aachen section poses engineering challenges.

Brussels hopes the security imperative will finally overcome decades of political wrangling. As one transport expert noted in Politico: “The Netherlands holds the key.”

^{#FlandersNewsService | Illustration shows a freight train in the Port of Antwerp © BELGA PHOTO KRISTOF VAN ACCOM}