Business Square - Connections and infrastructure

One of Groningen Seaports’ strengths is the excellent accessibility, as well by water, by rail, by road, as by inland waterway connections. Both the ports are strategically located within North West Europe. The attainability of the ports is outstanding with a considerable depth and hardly any waiting times.

Multimodal accessibility Groningen Seaports

Rail

Both ports are connected to the Dutch railway systems via the shunting-yard Onnen nearby the city of Groningen. Since September 2005 also a rail connection to the German railway system had been realized. Next to that Railion has an on-site shunting-service in the industrial area of Delfzijl.

Road

Freight traffic can approach the Groningen Seaports unrestrictedly by the N33 (Assen-Eemshaven). Eemshaven has a direct road connection via N46 with the city of Groningen and the Dutch road system as well. The distance from the port of Delfzijl to the highway A7 is about 15 kilometres. Via the A7 the Groninger seaports are directly connected with the Ruhr Area in Germany by the A31. The access roads have no congestion and next to that, Groningen Seaports has developed a new port number system in co-operation with the municipalities of Delfzijl and Eemsmond, and the Dutch cyclists' association ANWB. By this new system, traffic will be led optimal via the right route towards the industrial and business sites.

Inland waterways

Because of the Eemskanaal, Groningen Seaports has a excellent and direct connection to the inland waterways. The Eemskanaal connects the Delfzijl port with the route Groningen-Lemmer and the further inland waterway system to Amsterdam and Rotterdam. Several industrial sites are situated at the Oosterhornhaven, which is directly connected with the Eemskanaal. Groningen Seaports has also a second inland port, Farmsumerhaven, which is directly connected too with the Eemskanaal and the inland waterways system. Via the port of Delfzijl and the Ems estuary, Eemshaven is accessible for inland vessels too.