Geest teams up with Hupac in new rail link between Rotterdam and Hamburg
Geest North Sea Line, which was acquired by the Icelandic company Samskip in 2005, has launched a new rail link between Rotterdam and Hamburg, samskip.com informs. The train is operated by leading European intermodal transport provider, Hupac. Geest is taking the majority slot capacity on the new service, which will be based upon the 45ft container concept and offer fast transit times between the specialist intermodal operator’s hub at the Rotterdam Shortsea Terminal (RST) and Northern Germany. Hupac will have commercial control of the remaining capacity.
Initially the rail service will run three times a week in both directions, although the intention is to provide a daily service by the end of year. Southbound trains will depart Hamburg in the evening every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday for arrival at the Rail Service Centre (RSC) terminal adjacent to RST the next morning for shipment that same day. Northbound departures will depart Rotterdam, also in the evenings, on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday each week. The evening departures have been timed to maximise transit times by allowing for onward shipment on the day of arrival.
According to Geest's Commercial Director, Gerard de Groot, rail offers a fast and cost-efficient connection between Rotterdam and Hamburg:
"It enables us to offer very fast transit times between Northern Germany and other markets served by Geest, including Spain, Ireland and the UK.
"We have long advocated rail transportation as an obvious solution to traffic tailbacks and restrictions such as the EU Working Time Directive and the growing shortage of truck drivers. Moving goods by road in Northern Germany also incurs the added onus of LKW Maut, the German road toll on heavy goods vehicles. As such, this new service is particularly beneficial to shippers looking for excellent transit times, minimum inconvenience and maximum reliability, as well as a more environmentally sound option."
