Rail Operators Strengthen Cooperation at the Port of Rotterdam

New Collaboration Model: Track Together

Six major rail freight operators active at the Port of Rotterdam have signed a new cooperation agreement aimed at reducing delays and increasing the reliability of rail operations in the region. The new model, called “Track Together,” seeks to manage rail traffic more efficiently in Rotterdam—one of Europe’s busiest ports.

Capacity Sharing Among Operators

The agreement, led by the Port of Rotterdam Authority, includes Rail Force One, HSL Netherlands, DB Cargo Nederland, RTB Cargo, LTE, and Rail Cargo Group. These companies collectively represent approximately 70% of total operations on the port’s rail network. Under the new arrangement, operators will be able to take over each other’s train services at fixed predetermined fees in cases where capacity constraints arise. This practice is expected to reduce train cancellations and prevent congestion.

The “Track Together” program was launched on 1 April 2026 as a seven‑month pilot project. During the pilot phase, operations covering the entire rail network in the port—from Kijfhoek to Maasvlakte, including all intermediate stations and terminals—are intended to be carried out more swiftly and in a more coordinated manner. The operators will also share a joint emergency scenario, which will be activated particularly when deviations from standard timetables occur. This will help ensure that tracks are cleared on time at terminals and that scheduled trains can proceed without delay.

The digital infrastructure of the process will be managed through the PortFlow application. Developed by RailApp and supported by the Port of Rotterdam Authority and the Topcorridors program, this platform will ensure smooth execution of service transfers both administratively and operationally. Train service reservations will be made through the application, and information sharing between operators will take place in real time.

A First and Critical Step for Rotterdam

The initiative, which aims to enhance the reliability of rail transport in Rotterdam, is significant as it represents the first collaboration of this scale in the city. If the pilot delivers positive results, the model is expected to become permanent. This step toward improving efficiency in the rail infrastructure is also anticipated to contribute to the port’s multimodal transport capacity in the long term.

Source: S&P Global​