Colleagues from ÖBB Rail Cargo Group with the Single Safety Certificate.
(Vienna, Zeebrugge, 15 October 2025) – ÖBB Rail Cargo Group (RCG) has received the Single Safety Certificate from the European Union Agency for Railways (ERA) for the Netherlands, Belgium and the German border area. Thanks to this new safety certificate, the first ÖBB Rail Cargo Group freight train to operate under its own traction in Belgium reached its destination, the port of Zeebrugge, as planned yesterday, 14 October.
First independent ÖBB freight train operating in BelgiumThe safety certificate paves the way for independent rail operations in Belgium. It confirms that RCG meets all legal and operational safety requirements and is therefore permitted to operate under its own traction, i.e. with its own locomotives. This improvement enables the ÖBB Rail Cargo Group to offer its international and regional freight transport customers more flexible and efficient services.
First train arrives in ZeebruggeThe first RCG train under its own licence and with its own traction departed from Roosendaal (Netherlands) and reached the Belgian port of Zeebrugge at noon on 14 October. With this milestone, Belgium is officially integrated into the RCG production network. Customers and partners will now benefit from TransFER connections and additional sustainable transport solutions across the Benelux region.
Strengthening presence in Western EuropeRCG has been active in the Netherlands with its own carrier subsidiary since 2024. With the safety certificate now obtained for Belgium, RCG is continuing its international development and offering cross-border logistics solutions from a single source.
Clemens Först, CEO of ÖBB Rail Cargo Group, is delighted with this step towards internationalisation: ‘With the start of our operations in Belgium, we are strengthening our position as a leading European rail logistics provider and, for the first time, creating our own connection to the ports of Zeebrugge and Antwerp. This enables us to offer our customers even more services from a single source and to drive forward the sustainable networking of Europe.’
Local expertise for sustainable growthÖBB Rail Cargo Group is relying on skilled workers in the Benelux region for its operations in Belgium. It is currently looking for train drivers with language skills in French, Dutch and German, as well as a team lead for the Antwerp operations site. Interested parties can apply at
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.