RCG Expands Benelux Presence After Securing EU Safety Certificate for Belgium and the Netherlands

Colleagues from ÖBB Rail Cargo Group with the Single Safety Certificate. © RCG

(IN BRIEF) ÖBB Rail Cargo Group (RCG) has launched its first independent freight operations in Belgium after obtaining the Single Safety Certificate from the European Union Agency for Railways, enabling it to operate under its own traction in Belgium, the Netherlands, and the German border region. The inaugural train departed from Roosendaal and arrived at the Port of Zeebrugge, officially integrating Belgium into RCG’s European network. The expansion strengthens RCG’s presence in Western Europe, adding direct access to the ports of Zeebrugge and Antwerp and enhancing cross-border freight services across the Benelux region. CEO Clemens Först highlighted this as a key step in the company’s sustainable growth and European connectivity. RCG is now hiring train drivers and team leaders for its Antwerp operations.

(PRESS RELEASE) VIENNA / ZEEBRUGGE, 16-Jan-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — ÖBB Rail Cargo Group (RCG) has achieved a major milestone in its international expansion as the first ÖBB freight train under its own traction successfully arrived at the Port of Zeebrugge, Belgium. This historic journey marks the start of independent RCG operations in the country, following the company’s receipt of the Single Safety Certificate from the European Union Agency for Railways (ERA) for the Netherlands, Belgium, and the German border area.

The newly obtained certificate authorizes RCG to operate independently in Belgium with its own locomotives, confirming full compliance with EU safety and operational standards. This development allows the company to deliver freight transport services directly under its own traction, significantly increasing flexibility and efficiency for customers across international routes.

The first RCG train, operating under its own licence, departed from Roosendaal in the Netherlands and reached Zeebrugge on October 14 as planned. This milestone officially integrates Belgium into the RCG production network, expanding the company’s TransFER connections and sustainable logistics services across the Benelux region.

Building on its strong presence in the Netherlands since 2024, RCG’s new operations in Belgium reinforce its commitment to cross-border connectivity and sustainable transport. “With the start of our operations in Belgium, we are strengthening our position as one of Europe’s leading rail logistics providers,” said Clemens Först, CEO of ÖBB Rail Cargo Group. “For the first time, we now have our own connection to the ports of Zeebrugge and Antwerp, enabling us to offer even more integrated services while advancing the sustainable networking of Europe.”

To support its expansion, RCG is seeking to strengthen its local team in the Benelux region. The company is currently hiring train drivers proficient in French, Dutch, and German, as well as a team lead for its Antwerp operations site. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply via jobs.rcc.bx@railcargo.com.

Rail Cargo Group: the freight transport division of the ÖBB 
As a leading rail logistics provider in Europe, we are shaping the industry.  365 days a year – 24 hours a day. Across Europe and beyond into Asia. With our presence in 18 countries – and our own traction in 13 of them – we connect people, businesses and markets from the first to the last mile. It’s  thanks to our 6,014 logistics professionals that 418,114 trains a year, respectively 1,150 a day, reach their destinations safe and sound. With our efficient end-to-end logistics services, we transport 79,9 million net tonnes of freight each year.

ÖBB. Today. Tomorrow. Together.

ÖBB has been shaping mobility in Austria for more than 100 years. As a comprehensive mobility and logistics service provider, ÖBB transported 511 million passengers and about 80 million tons of goods to their destinations in a climate-friendly and environmentally friendly manner in 2024. This is because 100 % of the electricity for trains and stations comes from renewable energies. With a punctuality rate of 94 %, ÖBB is one of Europe’s most punctual railways. ÖBB is building the rail system of tomorrow with investments of more than 5.4 billion euros annually in the rail infrastructure and fleet. Across the Group, more than 45,500 bus and rail employees and an additional 2,000 apprentices ensure that more than 1.4 million passengers reach their destinations safely every day. ÖBB is the backbone of public transport and, as Austria’s largest climate protection company in the mobility and logistics sector, gets people and goods to their destinations safely and in an environmentally conscious manner. ÖBB-Holding AG is the Group’s strategic lead company.

Media Contact:

Julia Krutzler
ÖBB-Holding AG, Corporate Communications/Newsroom
Spokesperson
Telefon +43 664 888 36 400
julia.krutzler@oebb.at
www.oebb.at

SOURCE: ÖBB-Holding AG