Europese Commissie geeft toestemming aan België om de constructie van een overslagaccomodatie te financieren die een impuls moet geven aan de spoorlijn Lanaken-Maatricht (en)

The reactivation of the abandoned railway line between Lanaken and Maastricht will promote railway freight transport activities. The measure does not constitute aid and is therefore compatible with the proper functioning of the common market.

The measure concerns the construction of transhipment facilities, consisting of two transfer stations, sorting sidings and quay walls in Lanaken in order to reactivate the existing but abandoned railway line between Lanaken and Maastricht. The objective of the measure is the promotion of cross border freight transport by rail in the region.

Belgian public authorities will finance the construction of the transhipment facilities. They will retain ownership, whereas the facilities will also be open to all potential users on equal and non-discriminatory terms. Both the construction and operation of the transhipment facilities will be tendered out, which will assure that market prices will be paid. The operating costs will be paid by the users. Accordingly, neither the constructor, nor the operator will have an advantage and therefore the public support for the construction and operation of the transhipment facilities does not constitute aid.