A new direct connection has been launched between Amsterdam Container Terminal and Yiwu in China as part of the new Silk Road connecting two of the world’s leading economies.

The first train set off on its 11,000 kilometre, 16-day journey on 7 March 2018 from the intermodal railhead at Amsterdam Container Terminal to the trading hub of Yiwu in Zhejiang province. Reflecting The Netherlands’ diverse export market, it carried a variety of Dutch-made machinery, mineral fuels, pharmaceuticals, technical equipment and chemicals.

The first service on the New Silk Road from Amsterdam to China has left from Amsterdam Container Terminal
The first service on the New Silk Road from Amsterdam to China has left from Amsterdam Container Terminal

Terminal and logistics services for the new rail connection are provided by TMA Logistics, a joint venture between Hutchison Ports and TMA Holdings. Commenting on the new connection, Gerben Matroos, Managing Director of TMA Logistics, said:

“Amsterdam Container Terminal provides a unique location as the start and end-point for this important overland connection with China. TMA Logistics is well placed to serve both current and new multimodal markets and to provide and extend full supply chain services. The intermodal connections we have by road, barge, short sea shipping and the railhead at Amsterdam Container Terminal make it the ideal gateway for this traffic, enabling us to collect and distribute goods across North Europe and UK for transport by rail to and from China.”

The railhead at Amsterdam Container Terminal has three 700-metre-long tracks which offer a range of intermodal distribution options, now including direct connections with China. Amsterdam Container Terminal also boasts three of the deepest water multi-purpose berths in North Europe with total length of 1,015 metres and depth of 15 metres.

The Silk Road service is operated by NUNNER Logistics, an agent of the Austrian-based Rail Cargo Group, which now operates in 25 locations across Europe.