Schweizerzug AG is increasing its service frequency between Switzerland and Belgium. From 10 January 2019, the Swiss transport provider operates three weekly rotations from its headquarters in Frenkendorf near Basel to Antwerp. Importers and exporters in Switzerland and the neighboring countries thus benefit from increased capacity. In addition, Schweizerzug has been connecting the rail terminals in Frenkendorf near Basle and Niederglatt near Zurich on a daily basis since January, meaning that shippers in Eastern Switzerland will also be directly connected to the service.
During the past few months, the low water levels of the Rhine and the resulting shift to the rail, as well as the very high volume of transports closer the end of the year, led to an extremely high utilisation of rail capacity. The increase from two to three rotations to Antwerp will significantly improve the rail service.
Schweizerzug calls the Antwerp Gateway 1700 terminal operated by DP World. The terminal is connected to all terminals in the Belgian seaport. Thus, the rail link between the Belgian hub of Antwerp and the Swiss terminals Frenkendorf and Niederglatt gives shippers in the heart of Europe a fast and reliable connection to one of the most important European seaports.
Roman Mayer, CEO of Schweizerzug AG, said: “We are pleased that we can once again expand the service of our Schweizerzug and thus offer our customers more connections between Switzerland and Antwerp. Shippers in Switzerland and neighboring regions benefit from a reliable and time-saving rail product. The past few months have shown how important rail is for freight transport.
In addition to the direct connection to the port of Antwerp, Schweizerzug continues to travel three times a week via the German hub Neuss Trimodal to the port of Rotterdam and also to Antwerp. From Neuss, all terminals in both seaports can be reached, both by inland waterway and rail.