Client
Infrabel
Location
Antwerp, Belgium
Liefkenshoek Railway Connection
The Liefkenshoek Railway Connection links the western and eastern docks of the Port of Antwerp - Europe's second largest port - through a 16.2km freight-only rail corridor including a 6.5km twin-bored tunnel. Known as the gateway to Europe, the project was essential to maintaining the port's capacity as freight volumes grew. Invesis is now sole sponsor of the project, having acquired all equity in 2019.
Financial Close
November 2008
Construction Period
2008 - 2013
Concession Period
38 years
Handback
2051
Client
Infrabel
Location
Antwerp, Belgium
Sponsor/Investor
Invesis
Consortium
Locorail NV
Engineering Procurement and Construction
CEI - de Meyer (BAM) and Wayss & Freytag (BAM) Vinci Grand Projects and CFE (MBG)
Operations and Maintenance
Locorail NV
Capital Value
€690m
Supporting Infrabel to keep Europe's second largest port connected through a landmark freight tunnel
The Port of Antwerp is the second largest port in Europe, and by the mid-2000s its freight rail network was reaching capacity. The existing Kennedytunnel and Antwerpen Schijnpoort connection could no longer handle growing demand - a dedicated freight rail link was urgently needed.
In 2008, Infrabel awarded the DBFM contract to the Locorail consortium - originally comprising Invesis (50%), CFE (25%) and Vinci Concessions (25%) - to design, build, finance and maintain the 16.2km freight rail connection. The infrastructure includes the 6.5km Liefkenshoek Tunnel (twin-bored, 7.30m internal diameter), the refurbished 1.2km Beveren Tunnel, two culverts, an aqueduct and approximately 7km of on-grade substructure. Construction was completed and the availability date reached in January 2013.
In 2019, Invesis acquired the stakes of both CFE and Vinci, becoming sole sponsor. The concession runs until 2051.
