Logistics provider Swissterminal is expanding its Schweizerzug service with a new connection between Antwerp and Ottmarsheim, starting 1 January 2022. This transport service will begin with three direct roundtrips per week, each with the fastest overnight connection between the seaport and the Alsace region.

Handling will take place at Ottmarsheim every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. In Antwerp, the handling days are Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. “With this addition to our rail network, we will bring new opportunities to the border triangle of France, Switzerland and Germany,” said Roman Mayer, Swissterminal CEO.

Positioned on the river Rhine, Ottmarsheim is an important location for a wide range of shipping lines, freight forwarders and cargo owners. Mayer: “By rolling out this new rail service, we are not only meeting market demand with sustainable connections to one of Europe’s most important ports, but we are also taking a step toward our goal of transforming Ottmarsheim into a rail hub catering to the entire tri-border region.”

Alsace region

After being awarded the concession to operate the French ports of Mulhouse in Ottmarsheim, Ile Napoleon and Huningue-Village-Neuf on 1 July 2021, Swissterminal announced its intentions to improve transport connections to key locations across Europe for the forwarding industry in Alsace, Southern Germany and Switzerland. The introduction of this new rail product is the first in a series of progressive developments planned over the next months and years.

“The Alsace region has strong logistics potential, and we have ambitious plans for the future here,” shares Mayer. “With our intermodal know-how – as well as our wide range of services, innovations and warehousing – Swissterminal is fully committed to supporting the growth of the region and meeting demanding market requirements.”