The new rail connection provides for Czech exporters with a new possibility for maritime traffic in the port of Antwerp. It is operated by the Belgian company B Logistics with the Czech partner ČD Cargo. The port of Antverp is a very convenient destination mainly for overseas shipment. "The Port of Antwerp has not been much used by Czech exporters. We welcome that there is now a new alternative for maritime transport, which is fast and well organized. The port has been growing recently and expanding its services," said the Deputy Minister of Transport Kamil Rudolecký.

The transport time for customers becomes shorter thanks to the new connection; for example in comparison with the port of Hamburg by at least 48 hours. B Logistics Chief Commercial Officer Sam Bruynseels: “The products meet the demands of customers to the full: short transit times, reliability and transparency. Our Xpress trains actually drive with an average punctuality of 95%, which is unrivalled in the market. This is one of the reasons why we managed to generate profitable growth for the first time in 2015.“ By the end of 2016 ČD Cargo wants to transport about 120 000 tons of cargo by this line, equivalent to 6 000 trucks. Clients have the option of loading and unloading operations in 215 locations in Belgium and nearly 1 000 locations in the Czech Republic.

Thanks to the direct line Antwerp – Ústí nad Labem, the Czech Republic became part of the Baltic-North Sea rail corridor through which the transport to Rotterdam or major cities in northern France will be accelerated. The connection between the Czech Republic and the port of Antwerp will provide opportunities for transport of all conventional cargo. The information about opening of the new connection was received with great interest on the Czech market and at present there is a daily demand for transport information. To find out more about the new connection, see the following link: www.greenexpressnetwork.com

Tamara Kafková, Counsellor of Czech Embassy in Brussel