Story | September 2026

Opening the gateway to greener freight

At Maasvlakte, Vossloh is combining high-performance turnout technology with innovative waterborne logistics to support a more resilient European freight network.

Maasvlakte Project Built for one of Europe’s most demanding freight environments.

Vossloh is supplying 34 pre-assembled turnout panels for the new Maasvlakte rail yard at the Port of Rotterdam. Designed for heavy loads and intensive operation, every turnout is assembled and checked in the factory before shipment. Assured geometry and panelised delivery help make installation at the port faster, safer and more predictable.

Answering customer challenges Infrastructure, logistics and delivery certainty—aligned.

The project addresses the need for greater port-rail capacity while responding to strict delivery conditions in a highly congested metropolitan area.

01 / Freight capacity

Enable a stronger rail hub

The new yard supports freight movements between Maasvlakte and the European hinterland—giving operators a more flexible, resilient logistics chain.

02 / Complex logistics

Reduce road pressure

Waterborne delivery avoids large-scale transport of heavy turnout panels on already busy roads around Rotterdam.

03 / On-site delivery

Install with confidence

Pre-assembled panels arrive in the planned unloading sequence, reducing handling and supporting precise, efficient installation.

Martijn Das, Project Manager, Vossloh Switch Systems “A transparent, shared logistics plan gives every stakeholder a clear view of what happens, when it happens and who is responsible.”

From factory to portOne connected flow—from assembly floor to installation.

 

  1. Factory assembly & acceptance: turnouts are assembled, checked and presented for Factory Acceptance Testing.
  2. Sequenced delivery: panels move to the nearby quay and are loaded directly onto a pontoon.
  3. Transport by water: the shipment travels via the Maas through Rotterdam to Maasvlakte.
  4. Reverse-sequence unloading: panels are unloaded in the correct order to support fast installation.

Smarter logistics, lower impactInnovation that delivers beyond the track.

Using inland waterways for this complex delivery supports safer logistics, less congestion and lower local emissions.

34

pre-assembled turnout panels supplied for the new freight yard.

80–100

estimated truckloads avoided on Rotterdam’s heavily used highway network.

740 m

freight-train length the new hub is designed to accommodate.

VSS Expertise in actionPrecision engineering meets practical installation.

Turnout expertise for heavy freight

Vossloh Switch Systems brings robust mechanical design, precision manufacturing and experience with demanding industrial applications to the Maasvlakte rail infrastructure.

  • Factory-controlled dimensions and geometry
  • Solutions engineered for high loads and intensive use
  • Panelised delivery prepared for site requirements

Collaboration as a project capability

A shared digital logistics model and kick-off process brought Vossloh, Swietelsky, JK Boer and HEBO Marine Services together around one transparent plan.

  • Clear responsibilities across the delivery flow
  • Coordinated loading, transport and unloading
  • Planning aligned with the contractor’s installation sequence

Benefits for EuropeKeeping goods moving—responsibly.

The Maasvlakte development strengthens a crucial gateway between global maritime traffic and the European hinterland.

Greater rail capacity can help shippers and end customers benefit from more reliable connections and a competitive alternative to road transport. Moving larger freight volumes by rail supports less road traffic, lower emissions and a more sustainable, future-ready European economy.

Location

Maasvlakte Zuid Rail Yard - Port of Rotterdam

Partners

Port of Rotterdam, ProRail, Swietelsky, JK Boer & HEBO

Application

New-build freight and shunting yard

Vossloh contribution

Turnouts, assembly and waterborne delivery concept

See the project From Nieuw-Lekkerland to Maasvlakte.

Discover the journey: assembly, pontoon transport through Rotterdam, unloading and installation.

Pontoon Transport

Panelised delivery prepared for site requirements

Installation at Maasvlakte

Panelised delivery help make installation at the port faster, safer and more predictable