A new long-distance rail freight service between Belgium and Chongqing in China was launched on 9 May in Antwerp. The project was developed in 2010 by POM Antwerp (Development Authority of the Province of Antwerp), Antwerp Port Authority and Belgian Administration of Customs & Excise. Intermodal operator Hupac will cover the route in both directions. Sufficient cargo in both directions will be a crucial factor for the viability of this link. A number of companies are showing interest and other players will no doubt follow.

Since the beginning of May, intermodal operator Hupac has run a daily service together with its partners Russkaya Troyka and Eurasia Good Transport, starting from Port of Antwerp’s Combinant terminal, going through to Poland, and further to Russia and China. The service runs between Antwerp-Germany-Poland-Ukraine-Russia-Mongolia-China. Chongqing is one of the final destinations along the route. Numerous destinations in Russia and China are served (source: Antwerp Port Authority).