Lineas | RailFreight.com

Lineas’ struggle for survival continues

Marco Raimondi — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 12:35:35 +0000

Belgian private rail freight operator Lineas might receive another 60 million euros from the Belgian government. The new injection would follow a 61-million-euros public bailout for the company approved at the end of 2025. Lineas was contacted for more information but was not immediately available.
Lineas has been in desperate need of cash for a couple of years already. Reportedly, the money would come from the Belgian government (30 million euros), the Flanders region (20 million euros) and the Wallonia region (10 million euros). The first 20 million euros would come in Q2 of this year, while the rest would be dispensed only if no new private shareholder joins Lineas. The new injection of 60 million euros, reported by L’Echo, would be the fourth capital injection for Lineas since 2023.

Four bailouts in three years

Back then, Argos Wityu and the state-owned Federal Holding and Investment Company (SFPIM), which own the company, unlocked a first tranche of 20 million euros. Then, after SFPIM increased its stake in Lineas from 10% to 45%, the company received 46 million euros from two Belgian regions with the help of a couple of banks. Finally, there was the 61 million euros coming from the Belgian government, approved by the European Commission right before Christmas.

If Lineas is not able to repay the 61 million euros, it will be forced to implement a restructuring plan. However, it is not yet clear if the need for new capital means that Lineas’ position is less stable. Lineas is by far the largest operator in Belgium, and also one of the biggest in Europe. Despite the financial struggles, thus, keeping it alive is vital to guarantee smooth logistics operations in a key area of the Old Continent.

European Commission approves rescue loan for Lineas

Marco Raimondi — Wed, 24 Dec 2025 10:26:25 +0000

The European Commission (EC) approved a rescue loan for 61 million euros from the Belgian government to rail freight operator Lineas. “Belgium has committed to presenting a restructuring plan if the rescue loan is not reimbursed”, the Commission said.
The Belgian government notified the EC about the rescue loan last July “to address Lineas Group’s short-term liquidity needs for six months”. The company has in fact been struggling financially over the past few years due to a drop in demand for rail freight services, especially in key industries such as steel and automotive.

Previous schemes cleared as well

In addition to approving the 61 million euros scheme, the Commission also analysed two previous financial injections provided to Lineas. The first one saw 46 million euros coming from Belgian regions and banks in 2024. The second one entailed 20 million euros coming from the company’s main shareholders (the Belgian government and French investment fund Argos Wityu) in 2023. “The Commission concluded that neither injection qualified as State aid”, a note from the EC said.

Italy’s FS Logistix further expands in Belgium

Marco Raimondi — Thu, 23 Oct 2025 08:34:38 +0000

The Italian state-owned rail freight group FS Logistix took over a service connecting Milan to Antwerp from Belgian private operator Lineas. This move comes after the two companies launched a joint venture to manage the Antwerp Main Hub – Modalink.
The takeover for the Antwerp-Milan service occurred in September, but it was only announced this week. Despite FS Logistix becoming the rail operator through its subsidiary Mercitalia Intermodal, Lineas will continue to participate by providing the locomotives for the traction.

The service will run five times a week and will allow for further connections in Italy, such as the terminal in Pomezia, near Rome. The new rail link is the first tangible result since FS Logistix acquired a 30% stake in the Antwerp Main Hub, the Italian company added. This agreement was also signed in September. Other than managing the terminal, Modalink will also operate the feeder intermodal services from and to the different quays in the port.

Lineas continues its expansion in ports, this time in Ghent

Marco Raimondi — Thu, 25 Sep 2025 11:33:05 +0000

Belgian private operator Lineas was awarded a rail zone in the Ghent area of the North Sea Port. The concession will be valid from the beginning of 2026 and will initially be valid for two years.
With this new development, Lineas will provide rail traction for a group of five companies located on the left bank of the Ghent-Terneuzen Canal – PVS, Eastman Chemical, EOC Belgium nv, KRONOS Europe, and a logistics subsidiary of ArcelorMittal. North Sea Port (which includes Ghent, Terneuzen and Vlissingen) launched the tender last May, “at the request of the companies involved”.

15% modal share goal

The aim is to increase the rail freight modal share in the North Sea Port from 10 to 15%. To do this, the port also recently invested in rail upgrades along the right side of the Ghent-Terneuzen Canal. Here, near the Mercator dock, a new rail yard with six tracks of 750 metres in length was opened just three days ago.

Not only Ghent: Lineas in Antwerp

The contract won by Lineas in Ghent is not the first similar initiative undertaken by the company in Belgian ports. For example, a similar project, albeit on a larger scale, was implemented at the port of Antwerp-Bruges, the largest in Belgium and one of the top three ports in Europe. As of last July, Lineas is now in charge of six of the nine rail zones created there.

Moreover, the Belgian company launched a joint venture with FS Logistix, the Italian state-owned rail freight group. The company, named Modalink, will manage the Antwerp Main Hub and operate the feeder services between the different quays at the port. All these initiatives are part of Lineas’ attempt to get out of a struggling financial period by focussing on traction services rather than intermodal operations.

Lineas to use first modular multi-signalling locomotive

Marco Raimondi — Thu, 11 Sep 2025 07:41:35 +0000

Belgian private rail freight operator Lineas worked with The Signalling Company (TSC), part of the Škoda Group, to deploy a locomotive that can host multiple signalling systems on one software platform. “In practice, it means that future upgrades, such as ETCS, can be installed quickly and cost-effectively, allowing the fleet to operate seamlessly not only in Belgium but also internationally”, Lineas said.
The locomotive in question is a HLD77, used for both shunting and mainline services. The unit has been equipped with TSC’s RailOS operating system and safe computer iEVC and was authorised for operations by the Belgian government, Lineas added. This enables the locomotive to host multiple signalling systems. Initially, it will run the national system TBL1+.

One of Lineas’ HLD77 locomotives [Image: Lineas ©]

Smoother path to ETCS?

However, the main feature of the project is that migrating to the European Train Control System (ETCS) should be much smoother and cheaper than the current methods. The installation of ETCS on locomotives is one of the most burdensome initiatives for the rail freight industry. With costs rising and continuously updated versions, keeping up with the process is both an expensive and confusing experience, as many have already voiced.

On the other hand, installing the TSC device should be a much easier procedure. “The platform is exceptionally compact, energy-efficient and easy to retrofit, making it ideal for fleet modernisation”, Lineas underlined. This step in Belgium might be the first of many for TSC, which is also working on obtaining permits to implement the German (PZB) and French (KVB) national signalling systems. Will this enable a smoother transition to ETCS?

Lineas and FS Logistix launch joint venture to manage Antwerp Main Hub

Marco Raimondi — Tue, 02 Sep 2025 11:48:36 +0000

Belgian private operator Lineas joined forces with the Italian state-owned rail freight branch FS Logistix to create Modalink. The new entity will manage the Antwerp Main Hub and operate the feeder intermodal services from and to the different quays in the port of Antwerp.
Lineas will remain majority shareholder in Modalink. Currently, the company is split 70%-30% between the Belgian company and FS Logistix, which replaced the Mercitalia Group. In the future, the quota of the Italian company can be increased to a maximum of 49%. The Antwerp Main Hub, also known as Lineas Main Hub, is one of the main facilities at Europe’s second port.

Covering an area of 200,000 square metres, the terminal is equipped with eight tracks of 700 metres in length and can move around 200,000 containers every year. “In addition to the launch of Modalink, Lineas and FS Logistix are cooperating to enhance services on the Antwerp-Milan line”, the Belgian company highlighted.

Lineas looking for liquidity

Up until now, Lineas was the sole manager of the Antwerp Main Hub. However, the company is in some financial troubles and has been looking for cash for quite some time after nearing bankruptcy. “This transaction is the final step of Lineas to refocus on traction services and stop the Intermodal Operator activity”, the company added. With some help from private investors and, above all, a stronger state presence in the company, Lineas seems to be on the right track.

Lineas to have even greater presence at the port of Antwerp

Marco Raimondi — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 11:53:48 +0000

The port of Antwerp-Bruges implemented a new operational model at the beginning of 2024, dividing the area into nine zones. Initially, private operator Lineas was assigned three zones but now it will take over three more, making it the main rail operator in one of Europe’s top three ports.
The new division of the port of Antwerp is part of the Railport project, which aims at increasing the modal share of rail at the port, set at 7% in 2024, to 15% by 2030. Lineas was initially tasked with the operations in zones 1, 2 and was now assigned zones 3, 4 and 5 and 6B. In the original system, zone 3 was assigned to Railtraxx, zone 4 to DB Cargo and zone 5 was made available for more tailored solutions.

In other words, Lineas will now be in charge of rail operations across the whole eastern side of the port of Antwerp. The six zones now controlled by the Belgian company will be Kanaaldokken, Buitenschoor, Bevrijdingsdok,  Oorderen, Old Port, and Oosterweel. The zone 6A will be operated by HSL Belgium. The remaining zones (7,8 and 9) on the western side of the port should remain under the control of Railtraxx.

New outlook for rail operations at the port of Antwerp-Bruges. Image: © Lineas

Lineas’ financial difficulties

If, on the one hand, Lineas’ business seems to be growing, its finances are not doing as well. Last week, the Belgian government approved a loan for 61 million euros to keep the company, struggling financially since the post COVID-19 era, alive. This is the third instalment of financial aid meant for Lineas since 2024, year in which the government increase its stake in the company to 45%. In total, over the past 19 months, the company received over 160 million euros from its shareholders (French investment fund Argos Wityu owns the remaining 55%) and the Belgian regions of Flanders and Wallonia.

Lineas to get 61 million euros from Belgian government

Marco Raimondi — Thu, 17 Jul 2025 08:48:47 +0000

Lineas, the largest rail operator in Belgium, will receive a loan for 61 million euros from the state’s Federal Holding and Investment Company (SFPIM). The private company is in dire need for financial help, as the ghost of bankruptcy may be closer than expected.
Lineas has been struggling since after the COVID-19 pandemic. A massive restructuring plan was announced in 2022, but the company still needs liquidity to stay alive and complete it by 2027 as scheduled. According to RTBF, a public broadcasting organisation for the French part of Belgium, documents showed that a bankruptcy could come as early as next month.

The downfall of Lineas

The period during and after the COVID-19 pandemic left a deep mark for Lineas, which has been trying to return to profitability ever since. Bernard Gustin was appointed as the new CEO in 2022, and the restructuring plans was initiated, aimed at making the company more efficient. Non-profitable contracts were dropped and things started to improve. In February 2024, the Belgian government increased its stake in Lineas, via SFPIM.

Currently, Lineas is owned by French investment fund Argos Wityu (55%) and SFPIM (45%) Since 2024, the company received two injections of 60 and 46 million euros from its shareholders, with help coming from the Flanders and Wallonia regions too. The 61 million euros coming from SFPIM might still not be enough. The operator is still looking for additional private partners, as Argos Wityu claimed to be unable to invest further.

New container train service between Antwerp and Zeebrugge launched

Dennis van der Laan — Wed, 04 Jun 2025 08:18:50 +0000

Rail operator Lineas and port operator PSA Antwerp have launched a new rail service connecting the ports of Antwerp and Zeebrugge. It runs three times per week in both directions.
The rail connection links PSA’s terminal in Zeebrugge with the Noordzee Terminal in Antwerp. A first fully loaded container train left Zeebrugge on 27 May, “marking the resumption of a critical rail connection between the two ports”, says Lineas, which is responsible for the operational execution of the service.

“Aligned with PSA’s Node to Network strategy, we are continuously working to strengthen our terminals’ hinterland connectivity to offer our customers an expanding suite of multimodal, efficient, and sustainable solutions. With this new rail connection, 26,000 TEUs will be transported annually between Zeebrugge and Antwerp”, commented Edward Tah, Managing Director at PSA Belgium.

Hinterland connections

Whereas the service primarily connects the Zeebrugge and Noordzee terminals of PSA, it also pays a visit to Lineas’ MainHub in Antwerp. That allows for further integration with European hinterland destinations. “By picking up empty containers and consolidating export cargo, maximum utilisation of the train is ensured”, says Lineas.

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“This new service fits perfectly into our strategy to further expand the rail network with frequent, reliable connections between the most important ports and industrial clusters. By making smart combinations of imports and exports via our MainHub, we are increasing efficiency and making a tangible contribution to the modal shift and climate targets”, adds Lineas CEO Erik Van Ockenburg.

Rail freight is back in Ostend port after 15 years

Dennis van der Laan — Fri, 16 May 2025 09:01:14 +0000

Trains have been absent from the Belgian Port of Ostend for 15 long years, but that time has now come to an end. Rail freight made its return on 15 May with operator Lineas sending an automotive train to the port.
“Lineas, Europe’s largest private rail freight operator, made history today together with the Port of Ostend with the arrival of the very first car train ever in its port area”, Lineas writes. “This milestone marks not only an important step in the transformation of the port, but also the reactivation of block train rail traffic in the Port of Ostend after more than 15 years.”

That is a long time for trains to be absent. The return of trains therefore also took some serious preparatory work: “For a year and a half, intensive cooperation took place with [Belgian infrastructure manager] Infrabel to make the existing railway in the port operational again. Investments are being made in signaling, rail transshipment, and the necessary infrastructure to enable the restart of freight traffic by rail.”

More than just ships

All of that work is supposed to help the port achieve its strategy plan for more sustainable and diversified transport, Lineas continues. Rail should turn into an important alternative to shortsea traffic. Trains will, in due time, offer connections to various destinations in Europe three times a week. When it comes to the car train of 15 May, it is part of “a larger intermodal story in which the port is further developing its Tilbury terminal”, specifies Lineas.

“This car train symbolizes more than just a new connection. It is tangible proof of our transformation into a Safe, Full, and Innovative port. Here, we are bringing road, water, and rail together in a smart way”, commented Ostend port CEO Dirk Declerck.