TCA Rail has been active as a rail transport company since 2023 and is the only Walloon railway undertaking for freight transport. The company manages traction activities within the intermodal network of Terminal Container Athus (TCA). Operating from Athus and Antwerp, TCA Rail supports rail freight transport between the seaports of Antwerp and Zeebrugge and the industrial regions in Central and Southern Europe.
Terminal Container Athus covers an area of 18 hectares with 17,000 m² of warehouse space, serving as a strategic hub for intermodal rail freight. More than 100,000 TEUs are handled annually, with an average of approximately 1,200 trains traveling to and from the terminal. Within this logistical environment, TCA Rail plays a central role as a rail operator, responsible for the execution and optimization of rail activities connecting the terminal to the European hinterland.
TCA Rail builds upon the infrastructure and equipment of Terminal Container Athus, including its own fleet of 102 container wagons (80’) owned by TCA. As a specialized rail operator, TCA Rail utilizes these wagons with its own traction to provide reliable, flexible, and efficient train services within the intermodal network. Operations are carried out with a strong focus on energy efficiency and an increasing share of electric traction.
Thanks to TCA Rail’s rail solutions, rail transport serves as a fully-fledged and sustainable alternative to road transport. One freight train is equivalent to 48 to 62 trucks, based on 96 TEU per train according to the UIRR standard. This results in a CO₂ reduction of up to 88%, 94% less air pollution, and a significant reduction in traffic congestion. With TCA Rail, the logistical power of Terminal Container Athus is maximized for the benefit of sustainable mobility in Europe.
TCA Rail’s mission is to support companies with flexible and reliable rail solutions that meet their logistical needs. By bringing goods closer to seaports and strengthening intermodal connections, TCA Rail contributes to an efficient logistics chain in the Saar-Lorraine-Luxembourg region.
TCA and TCA Rail share a common vision of rail freight as a structural component of the European logistics chain. From Terminal Container Athus, both entities work together to build a high-performance and coherent network connecting seaports, industrial regions, and the hinterland.
By combining infrastructure, traction, and logistical expertise, TCA and TCA Rail focus on scalable rail transport that supports companies in organizing their freight flows, both nationally and across borders. The focus is on operational efficiency, intermodal cooperation, and strengthening rail corridors in Belgium and neighboring countries.
