---
title: "DFDS and Volvo Trucks shift to night operations: Sustainable logistics gaining traction at the port of Antwerp"
description: Volvo Trucks en DFDS bundelen de krachten om containertransporten tussen Gent en de haven van Antwerpen van de dag naar de nacht te verplaatsen. Deze stap vergroot niet alleen de efficiëntie van de transportketen, maar zet ook in op duurzaamheid.
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---

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2025-05-20

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# DFDS and Volvo Trucks shift to night operations: Sustainable logistics gaining traction at the port of Antwerp

Volvo Trucks and DFDS join forces to move container shipments between Ghent and the port of Antwerp from day to night. This pioneering step in night logistics not only enhances the efficiency of the transport chain but also firmly establishes a commitment to sustainability.

 

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Since October 2024, DFDS and Volvo Trucks have been collaborating to improve sustainability and performance by shifting a large part of their container traffic to overnight operations. The collaboration focuses on transporting spare parts containers between Volvo Trucks' distribution centre in Ghent and the deep-sea terminals at the port of Antwerp. By using heavy electric trucks, DFDS ensures emission-free transport to and from the port, mostly during off-peak hours. 

### Why shift to night logistics?

The advantages of night logistics are both clear and manifold: 

- **Less congestion, faster service:** By bypassing daytime traffic, delays are reduced, and delivery reliability is enhanced.
- **Maximising infrastructure efficiency:** The road network and port facilities are better utilised outside peak hours.
- **Maximum vehicle utilisation:** Night transport allows DFDS to maximise its truck capacity.
- **Smarter transportation chain:** Administrative tasks are completed during the day, allowing for more efficient night-time operations.

This approach is also gaining support from industry organisations.

> **Tia Meyvis of Alfaport Voka emphasises the broader importance**: “
> 
> Night logistics offers a tangible solution to the chronic congestion problem in and around the port. That’s why we have made it a key objective in our Routeplan 2030, our economic vision for the future of the Antwerp-Waasland region. ​ Supporting initiatives such as those from DFDS and Volvo helps create space for more reliable freight transport and improved efficiency in port infrastructure use.
> 
> ”

### How does it work?

Each night, electric DFDS trucks leave Ghent for Antwerp, transporting full containers of spare parts for global distribution. After delivery, the empty container is returned. Each month, around 150 containers are moved at night, traffic that was previously handled during the day. Trucks are charged via the Milence network at Ketenis parking, with charging coinciding with the driver's mandatory rest period. 

### Growth potential and challenges

The goal is to further increase night-time volumes, partly driven by the expansion of the electric fleet. However, DFDS notes that some obstacles remain: 

- A shorter terminal turnaround time at night could increase shipment frequency.
- Limited night lock availability at some terminals poses an additional scheduling challenge. A widening of time slots during the night would allow further optimisation.

In addition, the high cost of electric trucks remains a barrier, despite their clear ecological benefits. 

 

### A blueprint for the future

> **Jan Buytaert, Productmanager Mobility & Connectivity Port of Antwerp-Bruges**: “The collaboration between DFDS and Volvo Trucks demonstrates that night logistics is a viable solution to both environmental and economic challenges in the transport sector. The initiative helps distribute traffic more evenly around the port of Antwerp and shows how cooperation between shipper and carrier can make a tangible impact. Together with Alfaport Voka, Port of Antwerp-Bruges and all the logistics parties involved, we are pushing for initiatives that will make night logistics increasingly attractive.”

The Antwerp private and public port community’s night transport initiative began in 2017 and has now reached 12% of total transport taking place at night. The aim is to achieve a more balanced distribution of truck volumes and to make better use of existing capacity, particularly between 18:00 and 06:00. In 2024, Alfaport Voka and Port of Antwerp-Bruges reconvened the previously established night logistics working group. It brings together all links in the transport chain, including shippers, carriers, terminals, shipping companies, depots and logistics service providers. The group has defined several concrete action points, which are being addressed collaboratively. More information and the current opening hours of terminals and depots in the port of Antwerp can be found here: [Night logistics | Port of Antwerp-Bruges](https://www.portofantwerpbruges.com/en/business/transportation/road%20transport/night%20logistics)

**End of press release**

*For more information or interview requests, please contact: Tia Meyvis, advisor mobility Alfaport Voka at* [*tia.meyvis@voka.be*](mailto:tia.meyvis@voka.be) *or +32 (0)3 206 58 67 or Jan Buytaert, Product Manager Mobility & Connectivity* [*jan.buytaert@portofantwerpbruges.com*](mailto:jan.buytaert@portofantwerpbruges.com) *or +32 (0)3 205 24 65*

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---

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#### About Port of Antwerp-Bruges

With an annual throughput of 267 million tonnes, Port of Antwerp-Bruges is a world port in the heart of Europe. The port is a unique ecosystem of maritime throughput, logistics and industry, and is home to Europe’s largest integrated chemical cluster. As a hub for containers, general cargo and vehicles, and home to over 1400 companies, it accounts for around 164,000 direct and indirect jobs and 21 billion euros in added value. This makes it Belgium’s most important economic engine.

Port of Antwerp-Bruges aims to become the first world port that reconciles economy, people and climate. The Antwerp-Bruges Port Authority, a limited liability company of public law, manages the port platforms of Antwerp and Zeebrugge. The cities of Antwerp and Bruges are the shareholders. Rob Smeets is CEO, Johan Klaps (Vice-Mayor of Antwerp) is President of the Board of Directors, and Dirk De fauw (Mayor of Bruges) is Vice-President.

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