Fresh on Track, a public-private initiative, is preparing to launch a weekly temperature-controlled rail service linking Valencia, Rotterdam, and Oslo at the end of 2025. The pilot project, called Fresh Train, will provide fixed slots, customs facilitation, and door-to-door options. The model involves multiple logistics partners, spreading operational risks and enabling economies of scale.
© Fresh on Track
Eric Mekenkamp, from the Fresh on Track NL Initiative Group, said: "The pressure on road transport is simply too high – in terms of costs, congestion, and carbon. We need scalable, reliable rail alternatives that meet the demands of the fresh chain. This initiative proves it's possible."
Government and industry support
The launch event included contributions from the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, the Spanish Ministry of Transport, and industry participants such as Coop, Ahold Delhaize, and Bakker Barendrecht, part of Greenyard. The Dutch Embassy in Madrid also underlined the importance of international collaboration in logistics.
Maarten van Hamburg, Managing Director at Bakker Division, noted: "Fresh on Track offers a smart, scalable addition to road freight. By reducing road congestion and emissions, it helps build a multimodal, future-proof fresh supply chain – a goal we proudly support at Bakker Barendrecht."
© Fresh on Track
Open participation
The Fresh Train pilot is open to shippers and logistics providers with northbound or southbound fresh flows between Spain and Scandinavia. Options for bundling volumes, backhaul, and both full and partial loads are included in the framework.
Fred Lessing of FreshRail stated, "Now is the time to get on board. Whether you're moving citrus, berries, vegetables, or flowers – if it's fresh, we can help get it on track."
© Fresh on TrackFor more information:
Eric Mekenkam
Fresh on Track
Email: [email protected]
www.freshontrack.eu
