Brussels, may 15 2025 - Lineas, Europe's largest private rail freight operator, made history today together with the Port of Ostend with the arrival of the very first car train ever in its port area. This milestone marks not only an important step in the transformation of the port, but also the reactivation of block train rail traffic in the Port of Ostend after more than 15 years. For a year and a half, intensive cooperation took place with Infrabel to make the existing railway in the port operational again. Investments are being made in signaling, rail transshipment, and the necessary infrastructure to enable the restart of freight traffic by rail. The commissioning of the railway is a crucial element in the strategic vision of the Port of Ostend, which is committed to sustainable and efficient logistics via various modes of transport. The first car train, operated by rail freight carrier Lineas, is part of a larger intermodal story in which the port is further developing its Tilbury terminal. The trains, which will eventually run up to three times a week, will connect Ostend directly to various destinations in Europe. These operations will take place at night to optimize efficiency. (....)