P&O Ferrymasters Launches First Direct Rail Service Between Zeebrugge and Barcelona
P&O Ferrymasters, a DP World Company, has launched a new direct container rail service between Zeebrugge and Barcelona, marking a significant milestone in sustainable European freight transport. The first direct train departed Zeebrugge on Tuesday evening, 23 September 2025, establishing the first-ever direct rail connection between a North Sea port and Barcelona. Operating three times per week, the service runs parallel to the existing Zeebrugge–Dourges–Perpignan connection, providing daily access to Spain.
Enhanced Service Benefits
The new direct service delivers substantial improvements for customers:
- Improved sustainability: Approximately 250 km less road transport per shipment on average, significantly reducing carbon emissions.
- Greater reliability: No intermediate stops reduce delay risks, while parallel routes provide fallback options.
- Enhanced flexibility: The service accepts both containers and swap-bodies, with each train carrying up to 45 units consisting of a mix of 45-foot containers and 30-foot tank containers.
Comprehensive Network Connectivity
The service extends connectivity across multiple regions through a single booking:
- UK and Ireland via ferry connections from the Zeebrugge P&O terminal, including a dedicated company train to Manchester via Tilbury.
- Overland coverage across Northern France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and the Ruhr Area.
- Shortsea routes to Scandinavia and the Baltics.
Starting with three rotations per week, the company has ambitious plans for expansion. The Zeebrugge terminal serves as a strategic hub where freight handling is synchronized with rail and maritime timetables to the UK, establishing an environmentally friendly link between Spain and Britain, especially along the Manchester–Barcelona route.
