H&S already operates on this route, but is raising the round trip frequency to twice a week thanks to financial support from Antwerp Port Authority. The support offered to H&S Container Line is the result of a Call for Proposals (CfP) launched in October last year by the Port Authority to attract projects for improving the rail connectivity between Antwerp and the Rhine-Ruhr/Rhine-Main regions.
In addition to H&S several other operators also submitted projects, but not all of them met the conditions for financial support. However, this does not mean that these projects are not being put into practice: B Logistics introduced a new rail service to Ludwigshaven at the beginning of this year, while DB Cargo for its part has begun operating to Wanne Eickel and Mannheim.