The Port of Antwerp-Bruges has significantly expanded its international rail connectivity with the launch of three new freight train routes linking key European and Asian logistics hubs. The newly introduced connections include services between Antwerp and Frenkendorf/Widnau (Switzerland), Zeebrugge and Mannheim (Germany), and Antwerp and Chengdu (China).

Boosting Swiss Connectivity: Antwerp–Frenkendorf–Widnau

In August 2025, Swiss rail operator Schweizerzug, part of Swissterminal, launched the Widnau Express, offering faster and more direct rail access for Swiss companies to European seaports. The new freight route includes:

• 3 weekly departures from Antwerp Gateway to Frenkendorf
• 2 weekly services from Frenkendorf to Widnau

From Frenkendorf, the connection integrates with existing Schweizerzug routes to Antwerp, Rotterdam, and Genoa, enabling efficient and sustainable freight transport across Europe.

Zeebrugge–Mannheim: A New Sea-Rail Corridor

As of late August, COSCO Shipping Lines has begun operating a direct rail link between the CSP Zeebrugge Terminal and Contargo Mannheim in Germany. The train runs 2 to 3 times per week in both directions, with a transit time of approximately 13 hours and a capacity of 80 TEU (forty 40-foot containers).

Cargo arriving in Mannheim is distributed by truck to key industrial hubs in Southwest Germany, including Ludwigshafen, Heidelberg, Karlsruhe, and Mainz. This sea-rail connection enhances supply chain efficiency while reducing reliance on road transport.

Chengdu–Antwerp: Strengthening China-Europe Trade

On August 27, the Port of Antwerp-Bruges welcomed its first freight train from the Qingbaijiang Railway Terminal in Chengdu, China. This new rail link is part of the “China-Europe-Africa Train Service”, a joint initiative by Silk Road Leader, Chengdu International Rail Service Co. (CDIRS), and DPD of La Poste France, which maintains a local office in Chengdu.

After arriving in Antwerp, part of the cargo continued onward to Barcelona via Kombiverkehr, and to North Africa via shortsea shipping. Organizers plan to scale the service to weekly operations, further reinforcing trade ties between Europe, China, and North Africa.

The expansion of these international rail links reflects Port of Antwerp-Bruges’ continued focus on sustainable, multimodal logistics solutions. By strengthening rail corridors across Europe and Asia, the port is reducing road congestion, cutting emissions, and bolstering its role as a central hub in the global supply chain.