Rotterdam is part of a study into a cargo hyperloop network

How can we ship goods throughout Europe in only a couple of hours rather than days? And all over the world within a couple of days? A study is being conducted in the Randstad into a pilot route which should become the first step in a pan-European emission-free hyperloop network. The study concerns the preconditions and effects of a hyperloop connection for goods between important distribution hubs in the provinces of North and South Holland. The Municipality of Rotterdam is part of the extensive coalition of (inter)national companies, governments, and network organisations which signed a study covenant earlier this week.

The focus is on the busy goods corridor between the regions of Rotterdam and Amsterdam, of which the A4 is part. A cargo hyperloop can offer many benefits to the fresh produce industry, which is an important part of Dutch exports. “This partnership is an important step in the development of this new modality, which enables us to deliver fresher products more often, faster, and at lower rates. We will be able to transport goods at a speed which is very competitive compared to trucks, with more frequent and smaller shipments,” says Rik Roeske, project manager of the cargo hyperloop. “Of course, the same applies to many other markets, such as e-commerce and the pharmaceutical industry around the world.” 
 

Fast, reliable, and sustainable
The hyperloop offers the potential to significantly reduce the existing forms of transport, and to greatly increase the speed and reliability of deliveries. This means a great reduction in maintenance costs of existing infrastructure and the number of traffic jams. It also contributes to great improvements to the air quality in the Randstad thanks reduced CO2 emissions. The latter may be an important step for the transport sector in achieving climate goals. The study identifies the challenges and solutions also faced by other regions in Europe. This paves the way for investments in hyperloop infrastructure throughout the continent.  

Walther Ploos van Amstel, economist and lecturer in Urban Logistics at the University of Applied Sciences Amsterdam: “The hyperloop is a game-changer for the transport sector, just like the container was in the sixties of last century. The competitive capabilities of regions will change. The Netherlands, as the logistics mainport of Europe, must anticipate this.”

Hyperloop Development Program
The entire project takes place under the umbrella of the Hyperloop Development Program (HDP), a public-private partnership for the development of the hyperloop announced at the end of 2020. The HDP focuses on the development of the hyperloop as a new sustainable manner of transport of both passengers and goods. The study is an important step in this development. 
 

Rotterdam participation
For the Municipality of Rotterdam, signing the covenant is in line with its ambitions to keep living in the increasingly busy city pleasant. This means a sustainable, accessible, and energy-efficient city with clean air and a flourishing economy. This demands an innovative entrepreneurial climate and new solutions. The city needs strong partners with knowledge, influence, courage, and persistence. Over 50 pilots in the field of mobility are taking place in the Municipality of Rotterdam, from autonomous pilots at Rotterdam Airport to a Hydrogen Production Facility in the Port of Rotterdam.
 

Participating parties
Hardt Hyperloop, Agora Flores Holland, Air Cargo Netherlands, Amsterdam Airport Area, Amsterdam Logistics Board, APMT(Maersk), Baas, Berg Roses, BestFreshGroup, De Wintertuin, Dümmen Orange, Dutch Flower Group, Europool Systems, evofenedex, Municipality of Haarlemmermeer, Municipality of Rotterdam, Municipality of Westland, Greenport Duin- en Bollenstreek, The Greenery, GroentEnFruithuis, InnovationQuarter, Port of Amsterdam, PostNL, Province of Noord-Holland, SADC, Royal Schiphol Group, TLN.