FOUR OPERATORS TEAM UP FOR NEW ROTTERDAM/MILAN RAIL LINK
The intra-European shipping lines Geest North Sea Line and Norfolkline, the European transport company P&O Ferrymasters and the rail operator Rail Development Partners have teamed up to start a Rotterdam/Milan rail container service.
The daily shuttle train service from the Rotterdam Shortsea Terminal to Rogoredo in Milan will be operated by Rail Development Partners. The rail traction will be provided by ShortLines in direct cooperation with Swiss Rail Cargo K'ln.
Each train will consist of 17 90-foot wagons (rail cars), capable of carrying 34 45-foot containers.
Geest North Sea Line said that the new service is the first shuttle on this route under the so-called “Freeways” preferential track access system. The Freeways concept was launched in 1998 to improve the organization and marketing of international rail freight in the European Union.