ITG Meerhout (BCTN) and PSA Antwerp (PSAA) have signed a cooperation agreement to launch a new high-frequency barge service between Antwerp and Meerhout.
The new service, branded Meerhout – PSAA Express, will provide a fast and reliable inland connection between PSAA’s North Sea Terminal at Quay 913 and ITG Meerhout. Operations will begin on 6 January 2025.
The service will run three times a week, with fixed calls at Quay 913 every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. The fixed schedule is designed to improve planning certainty and operational efficiency for barge operators and cargo owners.
PSA Antwerp said the new express service marks a further step in optimising barge handling operations. By introducing fixed time slots and clear operational agreements, PSAA aims to increase predictability and reliability at the terminal. This approach allows barge operators to plan more efficiently and deliver a more consistent service to customers.
ITG Meerhout, the largest inland container terminal in the Benelux region, operates around the clock and continues to invest in delivery reliability. Through the new express service, the terminal will offer a dedicated, point-to-point barge connection to and from the PSAA terminals.
The partners said the service will reduce turnaround times, improve operational reliability, and increase transparency across the logistics chain. Shippers and logistics service providers are also expected to benefit from smoother inland transport flows.
“The ‘Meerhout – PSAA Express’ service combines the strengths of PSA Antwerp and ITG Meerhout to deliver faster, more reliable and sustainable inland connections,” said Edward Tah, Managing Director, PSA Belgium. “By aligning operations and introducing fixed time slots, we are creating a predictable solution that helps customers plan better and keep supply chains moving efficiently.”
David Huybrechts, General Manager Zuid at ITG Meerhout (BCTN), said the service offers a guaranteed inland transit time between Antwerp and Meerhout. “This fixed point-to-point connection allows our customers to organise import and export flows more efficiently and provides an alternative to growing road congestion around Antwerp,” he said. “With this launch, ITG now has fixed calls at all major deep-sea terminals.”
The new barge connection strengthens inland connectivity at the Port of Antwerp and supports the shift toward more efficient and sustainable transport solutions.
