The Benelux union is working on a Regulation that makes a large field test with Longer Heavier Vehicles (LHV) possible in the Netherlands and Belgium. This enables transporters to organize road transport better, more economically and efficiently. Some transporters are enthusiastic, others indicate it's not achievable. According to Jochen Borremans of transport company Bingo Trans, the Belgian road network isn't suitable for it. "In the Netherlands it may go smoothly, but Belgium isn't suitable for it." He thinks the system certainly isn't bad though. "As transporters, we would of course find it ideal: you can ship more at a time. But I don't see much of a future for it."
Jochen Borremans and Gunther Mutton in 2012 in front of a Bingo Trans truck
Not an ideal situation
In the Netherlands, LHV trials have been running for a while already. "In Belgium, it's the first time. Products are now transported from the Jupiler brewery to the port of Antwerp. That's still perfectly manageable, but many other projects won't go as smoothly. For instance, when you want to get from the E19 to the industrial park in Sint-Katelijne-Waver, that's not an ideal situation. We have many customers in industrial parks, but that's often right behind a village, which you'll have to drive through with an extra long vehicle. At many clients', it's not possible to load and unload with that length. I don't see it happening yet. The most ideal situation is when you can immediately go from the industrial park to the motorway."
A lot of money
Jochen explains that the system originates from Scandinavia. "In Sweden and Norway, it's been used for years, and it also pays off there. The reason is that they have suitable roads for it, and they also drive longer distances than we do. Supposing it does go through in Belgium and driving with an LHV would be possible everywhere, it will take a lot of money to make the necessary adaptations. And I think the state is also running out of money. The investments they're making are usually not very sustainable, in my opinion. There have been talks of a direct highway between Brussels and Antwerp at the E19, for instance, since the mid-nineties, in order to solve traffic congestion. But unfortunately, a few years ago a railway was constructed."
For more information:
Jochen Borremans
Gunther Mutton
Bingo Trans BVBA
Industriezone St.-Kat.-Waver Z. 1
Kempenarestraat 64 - Bus 1
B-2860 Sint-Katelijne-Waver
Tel. +32 15 85 89 71