New Tri-Weekly Connection Aims to Bypass Road Congestion and Improve Reliability
PSA Antwerp (PSAA) and ITG Meerhout (BCTN) have officially launched a new dedicated barge service, the Meerhout – PSAA Express. This strategic partnership establishes a fast, reliable, and scheduled link between PSAA’s North Sea Terminal (Quay 913) in the Port of Antwerp and the ITG Meerhout terminal located along the Albert Canal.
The service, which commenced on 6 January 2026, operates three times a week with fixed calls at Quay 913 every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.
Optimizing the Inland Supply Chain
The “Express” model is built on fixed time slots and pre-defined operational agreements, a departure from traditional “first-come, first-served” barge handling. This transition offers several logistical advantages:
- Predictable Scheduling: By utilizing fixed windows, PSAA and ITG Meerhout provide shippers with guaranteed inland transit times, allowing for more precise planning of import and export flows.
- Reduced Turnaround Times: The point-to-point nature of the dedicated barge minimizes time spent at the deep-sea terminal, enhancing overall vessel and yard productivity.
- Sustainability & Decongestion: The service provides a high-capacity alternative to the increasingly congested road networks around Antwerp, moving large container volumes via the Albert Canal.
A Comprehensive Network for Benelux
ITG Meerhout is the largest inland container terminal in the Benelux region, operating 24/7 with a capacity of 400,000 TEU. With the addition of the PSAA Express, the terminal now boasts fixed-call connections to all major deep-sea terminals in Antwerp and Rotterdam.
Edward Tah, Managing Director of PSA Belgium, emphasized that aligning operations and introducing fixed slots creates a “seamless, predictable solution” for the modern supply chain. David Huybrechts, General Manager Zuid at ITG Meerhout, noted that the service is a direct response to the traffic challenges facing the region, ensuring that ITG remains a reliable hub for the European hinterland.
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