A new rail express service has begun operations between the CSP Zeebrugge Terminal in Belgium and Mannheim in Germany. The service launched on 25 August (local time), offering a condensed transit solution between the maritime gateway in northwest Europe and the industrial heartland of southern Germany.
Operating at a frequency of two to three round trips per week, the train completes the Zeebrugge–Mannheim route in approximately 13 hours. Upon arrival at Mannheim Rail Terminal, containers are shifted to road transport, extending coverage to key industrial zones and cities across Germany.
This setup forms part of a “shipping + ports + logistics” model, aiming to establish a digitalized, end‑to‑end supply chain service. The initiative integrates COSCO Shipping’s sea-rail intermodal operations, offering alternatives to conventional road transport and contributing to reductions in carbon emissions.
Two weekly direct services currently call at the Port of Zeebrugge under the AEU1 and AEU7 loops. Compared with traditional road transport, this intermodal approach is designed to significantly lower carbon emissions, aligning with broader sustainability goals.
