Verbrugge Zeeland Terminals B.V.
Strategic rail expansion in Vlissingen strengthens civilian and military logistics
Verbrugge Zeeland Terminals B.V. (VZT) in Vlissingen, the Netherlands, has taken a significant step in enhancing both civilian cargo flows and military mobility within Europe. Goods and military assets can now be loaded directly from sea vessels onto train wagons thanks to rail expansion directly along the quay. This rail extension has received support from the European grant programme CEF Transport Military Mobility. Hezelburcht guided VZT throughout the entire grant process: from grant application to successful justification.
Rail extension with strategic value
VZT’s terminal is located in the port of Vlissingen, a core port on the TEN-T network. VZT plays a crucial role in multimodal freight transport and is an important hub for NATO operations. The project involved the extension of two railway lines to 650 metres each, right along the quay. This allows long trains to be loaded and unloaded faster and more safely, without having to do so outside the secure terminal boundaries. This is not only beneficial for logistics efficiency, but also essential for military shipments where safety and speed are key.
Directly very relevant
The military relevance of the project was underlined during a recent Host Nation Support operation, in which US military equipment was moved through VZT towards Eastern Europe. Thanks to the rail extension, this large-scale mission, which took place within the secure terminal environment, was faster and safer than before. VZT thus strengthens its role as a military gateway within the NATO network.
Impact on multiple aspects
The project also facilitates the ‘modal shift’ from road to rail, a priority within European and Dutch government policies. Moreover, the expansion contributes to a sustainable, future-proof logistics chain with fewer CO2 emissions and less pressure on traffic.
Succesful grant application with Hezelburcht
For this project, VZT successfully used the European grant scheme CEF Transport Military Mobility. Hezelburcht assisted VZT with the entire grant application and the drafting of the grant agreement with CINEA. Thanks to this good cooperation, the project could be convincingly positioned within the European objectives. Even after being awarded, Hezelburcht successfully supported the accountability towards grant provider CINEA.
