Reports say that the continued success of key European port hubs will depend on their ability to pass cargoes pass efficiently to the inland markets they serve.
Hans Smits, president of the Port of Rotterdam Authority, warned that ports like Rotterdam faced “enormous hinterland challenges as container growth continues.”
Smits was quoted saying that “all ports in Northwestern Europe will compete and the best port will be the one with the best hinterland transport.”
Over the last decade, congestion has worsened at European ports. One key problem has been the distribution of cargo onto road and rail networks.
Rotterdam is concentrating on improving barge and rail links. Port officials say the volume of cargo taken from the port by rail could double and ultimately handle 20% of the port's freight.
According to Smits, a key link in these new strategies was the rail freight connection between the port and Germany, known as the Betuwe Line. Currently only 10 trains travel on Betuwe Line's dedicated freight route, but that figure is to jump to four trains per hour in each direction by next year.
Smits said that he was proud that “the Netherlands has had the courage to invest such an amount of money in this infrastructure.”
Hans Smits, president of the Port of Rotterdam Authority, warned that ports like Rotterdam faced “enormous hinterland challenges as container growth continues.”
Smits was quoted saying that “all ports in Northwestern Europe will compete and the best port will be the one with the best hinterland transport.”
Over the last decade, congestion has worsened at European ports. One key problem has been the distribution of cargo onto road and rail networks.
Rotterdam is concentrating on improving barge and rail links. Port officials say the volume of cargo taken from the port by rail could double and ultimately handle 20% of the port's freight.
According to Smits, a key link in these new strategies was the rail freight connection between the port and Germany, known as the Betuwe Line. Currently only 10 trains travel on Betuwe Line's dedicated freight route, but that figure is to jump to four trains per hour in each direction by next year.
Smits said that he was proud that “the Netherlands has had the courage to invest such an amount of money in this infrastructure.”