Their terminal will be extended by 14 hectares and incorporate a fourth birth and significantly enhanced rail infrasctructure. P&O expect to handle 700,000 freight units per year at the Belgian terminal compared to the current 370,000. 

Janette Bell, Chief Commercial Officer at P&O Ferries, said: "Our Zeebrugge hub serves North Sea services to Tilbury, Hull and Teesport and we expect our expanded terminal to attract more exporters who are looking for a fast and reliable route to and from the UK market."

"The enhanced rail facilities, including rail-mounted gantry cranes to load and unload freight as quickly as possible, are a vital link in the logistics chain because a growing proportion of the goods we transport originates in Central and Eastern Europe before being taken to the coast by train. In addition to the fourth RO-RO berth, the new terminal will also have facilities to handle LO-LO vessels, barges and feeder ships."

"The expansion being announced today means that we can offer our freight customers more capacity while continuing to provide a flexible service which includes more sailings when demand is high."