Case Studies: Liefkenshoekspoorverbinding Liefkenshoek Rail Link

The port of Antwerp is the most important port in Belgium with a total turnover in freight of 190 mio annual tonnage and positive container traffic projections. The expected growth rate in freight transport is between 8%-15% by 2020. The port was served by a common railroad connection to the hinterland, causing congestion and delays. The Liefkenshoek tunnel project was designed to address this problem as the new railroad would accommodate and allow for growth (Petit, 2008). The Liefkenshoek Rail Link project is the largest Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) project in Belgium.