Rail
With fast and sustainable rail connections through the hinterland, TOP offers a reliable alternative to road transport. Efficient, predictable and with lower carbon emissions.
Rail • Rail freight • Hinterland • Sustainable • Betuweroute
Rail freight: sustainable and predictable rail transport via Rotterdam
With fast and sustainable rail connections through the hinterland, TOP offers a stable alternative to road transport — efficient, predictable and with lower CO₂ emissions. TOP handles rail shipments for both import and export, via direct connections with the major inland terminals in Europe.
In short: what is rail freight?
Rail freight is the transport of goods by train, usually in containers, between seaports such as Rotterdam and terminals in the European hinterland. It is suitable for larger volumes on fixed corridors: reliable timetables, stable rates and considerably lower CO₂ emissions per tonne than road transport. TOP books the train capacity, arranges the terminal handling and organises the pre- and on-carriage.
Rail is one of the hinterland links TOP combines within intermodal transport, alongside barge and road transport. This way, the railway connects seamlessly with sea freight and the accompanying customs handling.
Why rail freight matters for the hinterland
The railway is a serious pillar of Dutch freight transport: in 2024, 37.8 million tonnes of goods moved over the Dutch rail network, almost half of it in containers. And rail is international by nature: of all goods leaving the Netherlands by train, almost 67 percent had Germany as their destination.
Rotterdam holds a trump card no other European port has: the Betuweroute, a 160-kilometre railway line dedicated entirely to freight, running from the Maasvlakte to the German border near Zevenaar. Freight trains travel from the port to Germany within two hours, unhindered by passenger traffic.
For shippers, that means fixed departure times, large capacity per departure and a CO₂ footprint per container considerably lower than road transport over the same distance. That is exactly why demand for rail is growing among companies wanting to make their logistics more sustainable without compromising on reliability.
What companies often underestimate about rail freight
The first misconception is that rail is "too rigid" for modern supply chains. In reality, fixed shuttles run on tight timetables between Rotterdam and the major European terminals. Anyone who aligns their planning with those timetables actually gets more predictability than on the road, where traffic jams and driver shortages dictate lead times.
The second misconception is that rail is only interesting for bulk goods such as ore and coal. The figures show otherwise: containers, at almost 49 percent of the transported weight, are now the largest category on the Dutch rail network. Regular trade goods in containers are at the very heart of the modern rail product.
And the third: rail is often judged as a stand-alone service, while its strength lies in combination. The train covers the long distance, the truck the first and last leg. Anyone who only looks at the rail rate and forgets the pre- and on-carriage is comparing apples with oranges. That is why TOP always calculates the complete door-to-door chain.
Practical example
A manufacturer in southern Germany receives six containers of raw materials each week via the port of Rotterdam. After discharge, TOP books the containers on a fixed rail shuttle to a terminal in the German hinterland; the final leg to the factory goes by truck. Customs clearance is arranged while the vessel is still sailing, so the containers can move on immediately. The result: a fixed weekly arrival day, fewer road kilometres and demonstrably lower CO₂ emissions per shipment — without the production schedule noticing the switch at all.
Rail or road transport: what suits your shipment?
Rail and road transport are not competitors but teammates: most rail shipments start or end with a truck run. Still, it helps to set out their strengths side by side.
Rail in numbers: sources and methodology
The figures below come from Statistics Netherlands (CBS) and rail infrastructure manager ProRail, and were verified for this page in August 2026.
37.8 million tonnes (2024) — A total of 37.8 million tonnes of goods was transported over the Dutch rail network in 2024. Containers are the largest category at 18.3 million tonnes — almost 49 percent of the weight — and that container volume grew by 6 percent.
Source: CBS, rail freight (in Dutch)
67% to Germany (2024) — Of all goods leaving the Netherlands by rail, almost 67 percent had Germany as their destination: 14.5 million tonnes. The Rotterdam–Ruhr corridor is thereby the most important rail connection of the Netherlands.
Source: CBS, rail freight (in Dutch)
160 kilometres of Betuweroute — The Betuweroute is a 160-kilometre railway line dedicated entirely to freight, from the Maasvlakte to the German border. Freight trains travel from the port of Rotterdam to Germany within two hours.
Source: ProRail, Betuweroute (in Dutch)
How TOP organises rail freight in practice
TOP starts with the goods flow, not with the train: which volumes, which origin and destination, which frequency and which deadlines? On that basis, TOP determines whether rail fits, which corridor and terminal connect best and how the pre- and on-carriage is arranged. Thanks to fixed partners and reliable train schedules, your container moves on safely, punctually and with a lower CO₂ footprint to the right destination.
The paperwork travels along too: TOP takes care of the customs handling and aligns it with the rail transport, working under the FENEX conditions and with AEO certification. Via the digital platform and the API services you track every rail shipment in real time.
Want to know whether rail suits your goods flow? Request a quote directly, prepare your shipment via book a shipment, or schedule an introduction with TOP.
Which companies is TOP suitable for?
TOP is suitable for companies with recurring goods flows between Rotterdam and the European hinterland. These can be SMEs wanting to make their road transport more sustainable, but also multinationals shifting complete corridors to rail with higher demands on capacity, reporting and CO₂ accountability.
Boards want to meet sustainability targets without losing sight of costs. Logistics managers want a timetable they can build on. Procurement looks at stable rates and continuity. TOP understands that these interests come together in one well-designed rail solution.
That is why TOP works in an advisory and practical way. No unnecessary jargon, but clear explanations of corridors, lead times, costs and next steps. For general developments in the transport sector, TOP also refers where relevant to industry information from Transport en Logistiek Nederland.
TOP is not a standard freight forwarder
TOP helps companies with a practical combination of customs matters, sea freight, air freight, intermodal transport, warehousing, rail and barge. This makes TOP particularly suitable for entrepreneurs and logistics teams who want understandable advice on importing, exporting, customs clearance and execution without complicated jargon. Its strength lies in organising, explaining and following up on the entire logistics chain.
Frequently asked questions about rail freight
What is rail freight?
Rail freight is the transport of goods by train, usually in containers, between seaports such as Rotterdam and terminals in the European hinterland. It combines large capacity with fixed timetables and low CO₂ emissions per tonne.
Which shipments is rail suitable for?
Mainly for larger volumes and recurring flows over longer distances, such as fixed corridors towards Germany and further into Europe. Containers, at almost 49 percent of the weight, are the largest category on the Dutch rail network.
Is rail freight more sustainable than road transport?
Yes, per tonne of transported weight, the CO₂ emissions of rail transport are considerably lower than those of road transport over the same distance. That makes rail a logical step for companies wanting to make their logistics chain more sustainable.
What is the Betuweroute?
The Betuweroute is a 160-kilometre railway line dedicated entirely to freight, from the Maasvlakte near Rotterdam to the German border near Zevenaar. Free of passenger traffic, freight trains reach Germany within two hours.
Does TOP also arrange the pre- and on-carriage for rail?
Yes. TOP organises the complete chain: the truck run to and from the rail terminal, the terminal handling, the train capacity and the customs formalities — as one whole, with one point of contact.
Can I track rail shipments online?
Yes. Via TOP's digital platform and the API services you track every shipment in real time, from departure in the port to arrival at the terminal — also connected to your own systems.
Conclusion: rail makes the hinterland sustainably accessible
Rail freight combines what shippers are looking for: large capacity, fixed timetables, stable rates and demonstrably lower CO₂ emissions. With the Betuweroute as a direct line to Germany, Rotterdam has the best starting position in Europe.
TOP makes rail practical: from corridor choice and train capacity to pre- and on-carriage and customs. That way, the railway is not an experiment but a reliable fixed link in your logistics chain.
Discuss your rail freight with TOP
Curious whether rail suits your goods flow? TOP is happy to look at corridors, lead times and costs with you — including the pre- and on-carriage.
Request a quoteWant to know more about Trans Ocean Pacific forwarding? Visit the TOP homepage.
Last updated: August 2026. Figures: CBS and ProRail. Online findability and AI readiness of this page in collaboration with HEF Digital.