The Dutch government is making an investment in the country’s fourth largest port, the Port of Moerdijk. The industrial harbour will get 1,1 million euros to be used for a zero-emission shunting pilot and extra capacity to link it up with rail connection to the European hinterland.
“The Port of Moerdijk welcomes the commitments from the national government to invest substantially in rail projects that strengthen the logistical clout of the port”, the port says. The investments “underline the importance of the Port of Moerdijk as a vital gateway to the hinterland.”
The 1,161,000 euro investment will come from the national government (around 580,000 euros), the port itself (approximately 475,000 euros) and infrastructure manager ProRail (around 106,000 euros). The money will allow for continuous use of a last-mile track that boosts throughput capacity and enables companies to join the modal shift.
Moreover, the port will grow capacity at its shunting yard and the rail line to Lage Zwaluwe, a nearby town. Lastly, the port is considering a new rail connection on the west side of the port.
The short-sea Moerdijk port plays an important role in European rail freight. “Improving the rail infrastructure in Moerdijk is essential to support the port’s further growth and to make it more sustainable”, the port says.
Zero-emission shunting
The port will also be the site of a zero-emission shunting pilot. The project has an allocated budget of 665,000 euros. “The so-called Zero Emission Shunting can provide a significant contribution to making rail freight more sustainable”, comments the port. “The pilot is aimed at the use of a zero-emission shunting locomotive for last-mile rail freight.”
The pilot will last for two months, which should then provide some insight into how much emissions can be reduced by various technologies. The tests with a battery-powered locomotive will take place in the port, as well as between Lage Zwaluwe and the shunting yard.
