New Green Logistics Corridor Connects Belgian Gateway to Southern Germany’s Industrial Heartland
COSCO SHIPPING has officially launched its first Zeebrugge-Mannheim direct railway freight service, establishing a key new intermodal link between the major gateway of Northwest Europe and the industrial hinterland of southern Germany. The inaugural train departed from COSCO SHIPPING Ports’ Zeebrugge Terminal in Belgium on August 25, 2025.
The initial shipment of 78 TEUs was successfully dispatched and completed the journey to Mannheim, a major industrial hub, in approximately 13 hours. This rapid transit time is now the standard for the new rail-sea solution, which operates at a frequency of two to three round trips per week.
Integrated End-to-End Supply Chain Solution
This direct rail freight service is a crucial element of the end-to-end supply chain solutions offered by COSCO SHIPPING, leveraging its integrated “shipping + ports + logistics” service system. The seamless nature of the connection was demonstrated with the inaugural shipment: the goods had arrived at the Port of Zeebrugge just one day prior via COSCO SHIPPING’s premium container shipping service.
Following the discharge, COSCO SHIPPING’s specialized European divisions seamlessly integrated the terminal, railway, and final road distribution procedures. This process achieved a true “door-to-door” delivery service directly to the end customer, enhancing speed and reliability.
Upon arrival at the Mannheim Rail Terminal, containers are quickly transferred to road distribution. This final leg provides comprehensive connectivity to key industrial zones in the Rhine-Neckar Metropolitan Region, including the Mannheim Port Industrial Area and surrounding cities like Ludwigshafen, Heidelberg, Karlsruhe, and Mainz.
Commitment to Green and Low-Carbon Logistics
The new sea-rail intermodal solution strongly aligns with the international shipping logistics industry’s commitment to green and low-carbon development, offering a viable pathway for significant emission reduction when compared to traditional, long-haul road transportation.
COSCO SHIPPING Lines currently provides two direct weekly services calling at the Port of Zeebrugge: the AEU1 and AEU7 loops. These services offer comprehensive coverage of major ports in China, along with key hubs such as Singapore and Cai Mep, ensuring continuous and efficient supply to the new Zeebrugge-Mannheim rail corridor.
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