FS Logistix, through its subsidiary Hsl Belgium, will manage rail shunting operations within the port of Antwerp. The contract concerns the tender for the management of first- and last-mile activities in zone 6A of the port area, known as Marshalldok, one of the areas with the highest concentration of rail traffic in the Belgian port. Operations are set to begin in the course of 2026 and will cover internal connections between the port rail yards and the main network.
Hsl Belgium will operate as a rail shunting service provider using new-generation hybrid locomotives, in line with the objective of reducing emissions in port and industrial areas. The use of hybrid traction allows diesel operation to be limited during shunting phases, improving the environmental footprint of rail activities in one of Europe’s main logistics hubs.
The awarding of the contract forms part of a broader strategy to consolidate FS Logistix’s presence in the Belgian port. In previous weeks, the group acquired a 30% stake in the management company of Antwerp’s Mainhub terminal, in partnership with Lineas, thereby strengthening its direct control over terminal infrastructure. At the same time, the company has launched new commercial rail services between Belgium and Italy, with the aim of improving the continuity of freight flows along the main north–south European corridors.
From an operational perspective, shunting activities in the Marshalldok area will be carried out using DE18 hybrid locomotives. The first unit, named The Lion, is already in service on the tracks between Antwerp North and Antwerp Petrol, while the introduction of a second locomotive of the same type is planned. The gradual deployment of these vehicles will allow older diesel models to be phased out and will support Hsl Belgium’s transition towards a fossil fuel-free operating model.
