Starting on 3 February, WEC Lines will launch a new barge service in partnership with A2B-online, Tailwind Shipping Lines, and Danser Group.
The service will initially run twice weekly, connecting Moerdijk (Combined Cargo Terminals, CCT) with Duisburg (Duisburg Gateway Terminal, DGT).
“With this new barge service, we offer a competitive alternative to road transport for our clients in the Ruhr area into Southern Europe and vice versa. This supports our commitment to respond to market demand while ensuring timely, secure, and eco-friendly delivery,” stated Brian Vaz, Intermodal Analyst & Projects WEC Lines.
Meanwhile, Germany’s Duisburg Gateway Terminal, the world’s largest inland port, is set to become the first entirely greenhouse gas-neutral terminal, a milestone aligning with WEC Lines’ commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
Barge departures from Moerdijk are scheduled for Monday afternoons and Wednesday evenings, with return trips leaving Duisburg on Tuesday and Friday evenings. The service aims to provide a stable and reliable schedule initially, with plans to increase frequency over time.
This new barge service extends waterborne access from Moerdijk to the Ruhr area while enhancing the Dutch port’s role as an intermodal hub. It also connects seamlessly with WEC Lines’ NWC CAI service, which links Moerdijk with Iberia.
Additionally, the service contributes to reducing congestion and promoting sustainability on the Moerdijk-Ruhr corridor. The partnership was made possible with critical support from CCT.
A2B-online, established in 2006, specializes in innovative and tailored transport solutions by truck, ship, and rail between Europe and the United Kingdom. Tailwind Shipping Lines, a German subsidiary of Lidl Stiftung & Co. KG founded in July 2022, initially served Lidl’s non-food logistics between Asia and Europe but now offers capacity to external customers. Danser Group, with over 40 years of experience, is an intermodal operator.
Collaboration between these companies is key to achieving this barge service. For A2B-online and Tailwind Shipping Lines, the service addresses customer needs, while for Danser Group, it represents an expansion of its network. This partnership also opens opportunities to deepen collaboration and further expand service offerings in the future.
