Dunkerque-Port is developing a combined transport plan with the implementation of the Flandres Express (FLEX) rail service to the East of France from Wednesday 5 June onwards. Created in 2013, NPS has been established as a network of containerized river services between Dunkerque and the main inland ports of the Hauts-de-France Region.
The FLEX service will provide a weekly round trip during the start-up phase with Metz, the inland port for the Lorraine region, on time with several regular shipping lines calling at Dunkerque, and in particular the Ocean Alliance Asia service.
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The operator now plans to increase the frequency of the shuttle service to 2 round trips per week, aiming to achieve greater flexibility. In fact, the slot for this second rotation is already incorporated in the transport plan for the traction provider FRET SNCF.
Commenting on the new service, Stéphane Raison, President of the Executive Board of Dunkerque-Port, said that it is is a new step in the development of the containerized port of Dunkerque, France’s leading rail port. In addition, the launch of this service at the same time as the European Sustainable Development Week indicates the port’s commitment to high-volume transport.
Ferenc SZILAGYI, President of Nord Ports Shuttle, stated:
The new service between Dunkerque and Metz is a real alternative for Lorraine’s market participants; a simplified, civic, environmentally-responsible solution … Going through Dunkerque also makes it easier to connect to the AP+ port system, with transit via a French port and the last mile covered by a local partner. It shows proximity to market has priority.
