AMSTERDAM: November 29, 2017. Together with TMA Logistics, Austria's Rail Cargo Group and the Port of Amsterdam, Netherlands-based Nunner Logistics plans to send its first train to Yiwu, China after the Chinese New Year on February 16, 2018.

The train will depart from the TMA Logistics Terminal in Amsterdam and route via Germany, Poland, Belarus, Russia and Kazakhstan to complete the 11,000-kilometer journey in less than three weeks, according to Nunner.

"We are proud to add Amsterdam to our China rail network, next to the direct trains we already operate between China and Neuss [Germany] and Moscow," said Erik Groot Wassink, the company's director of Special Products. "This will be a great opportunity for shippers in the northern part of the Netherlands to have a nearby rail connection to China - saving time, money and carbon footprint."

Nunner already uses TMA's 550.000 sq.mt. terminal for storing steel arriving by ocean for on-forwarding by barge, rail or truck into Europe and Central Asia.

"This unique new connection is a perfect extension of our terminal activities in Amsterdam," noted Willem Mantel, TMA Logistics' general manager. "It will make our hub even more interesting. By shortsea and by barge we [will] connect not only Scandinavia and the UK to the China train but also Rotterdam [and] Antwerp."

According to managing director of Austria's Rail Cargo Group Tufan Khalaji, with Yiwu only 290 kilometers from Shanghai the new service will be the fastest rail link between the Netherlands and the east coast of China.

"This initiative strengthens our strategy to grow as a multimodal port," added Port of Amsterdam CEO Koen Overtoom. "Not only will it give a boost to our logistic hub function in regard to other important European logistical centers, it also further empowers the multiple short-sea connections out of Amsterdam."

Founded in Austria in 1955, Nunner is based in Helmond, The Netherlands with 24 branches throughout Europe.