Port of Amsterdam Connects to Rail System

The Port of Amsterdam is now connected to the dedicated freight rail line that runs from the port of Rotterdam to the border in Germany. Known as the Betuweroute, the line is operated by Dutch company Keyrail , which has been working with Prorail to open the arches near Meteren.

The connection gives the port a nonstop freight rail link into the hinterland near Meteren/Geldermalsen.

It is a significant milestone in strengthening the position of the Amsterdam port in the European hinterland and indeed allows the city of Amsterdam to benefit from the rising interest in rail as a sustainable transport alternative.

Amsterdam has a key role in meeting German buyers’ need for pit coal. Closing mines in Germany means the manufacturing industry and the energy sector as well will be experiencing a rising need to import pit coal from overseas. The first train using the arches near Meteren was a DB Schenker train destined for Plochingen in Germany. The train was pulled by two electric locomotives able to serve on both the combined railway network and also on the Betuweroute. The train consisted of 48 four-axled freighters with a total weight of 4,400 tons. Coal trains are considered the heaviest trains in the Netherlands.

Recently the number of trains using the Betuweroute has increased considerably. By the end of 2010 Keyrail estimate about 350 freighters will be utilizing the system on a weekly basis.