DUTCH infrastructure manager Prorail has awarded Siemens Mobility a €110m contract to fully automate the yard management systems at the Kijfhoek marshalling yard, south of Rotterdam. Kijfhoek is one of the most significant sorting and dispatch points for rail freight in northern Europe, serving Rotterdam, the busiest port in the European Union.

Siemens will provide its fully automated Trackguard Cargo MSR32IT-based system to manage yard operations, as well as 15 years’ maintenance. The system is designed to efficiently manage and organise the movement of wagons in freight yards, which will allow the yard to operate its marshalling and humping operations with a high degree of efficiency, reliability, and safety. This includes setting the routes and speed control for all points and wagon retarders, as well as the radio-based integration of hump shunting locomotives to closely manage the shunting speed.

The yard covers 50 hectares, with 14 arrival tracks, 41 sorting and classification tracks, and 12 stabling tracks. The project is expected to be completed by the end 2024, with the Kijfhoek facility continuing to operate with at least 50% capacity throughout the work.