BLS Cargo Nord

BLS Cargo Nord is a Belgian rail freight operator and a subsidiary of BLS Cargo. Before September 2025, the company operated under the name Crossrail Benelux N.V.; it was previously established as Dillen & Le Jeune Cargo, commonly abbreviated DLC. The company is associated with the liberalisation of Belgian rail freight and was the first private company to haul a freight train in Belgium. Dillen & Le Jeune Cargo was founded in 2000 by Ronny Dillen and Jeroen Le Jeune, who initially held equal ownership stakes. Hupac entered the company’s capital in October 2001, before DLC had operated its first train. In April 2002, DLC hauled a container service for MSC from the Port of Antwerp to Aachen West using a leased Class 66 locomotive, with onward traction to Schwandorf provided by an electric locomotive hired through Hupac. This operation challenged the former dominance of the state railway in Belgian freight transport. Although private access to Belgian freight rail was formally opened in March 2003, DLC operated under the European regulatory framework established during the 1990s and held the relevant safety authorization for the Belgian network. The company expanded into the Netherlands after obtaining authorization to access the Dutch rail network at the beginning of 2003. Its first train to Waalhaven ran on 11 January 2003. Services connected the Dutch rail network with Zeelandic Flanders, including traffic for Bertschi’s container terminal in Terneuzen. In October 2007, DLC merged with Crossrail AG, creating a wider cross-border rail freight structure with activities in Belgium and Italy. The business later obtained authorization to train its own drivers in September 2008. Ownership changed several times as the company dealt with shareholder disagreements, the financial difficulties of Babcock & Brown during the global credit crisis, and subsequent liquidity requirements. Hupac returned as a shareholder in 2010, followed by customer-investor participation from LKW Walter, Général Transport Service, Bertschi and MSC in 2012. In April 2016, Rhenus Group acquired a 75 percent controlling stake while LKW Walter retained 25 percent. The Swiss division was subsequently separated, sold and merged with Cargologic in 2018. BLS Cargo acquired Crossrail Benelux in March 2019, with the transaction effective from 1 January 2019. From 2020, Crossrail Benelux became a full division of the BLS Cargo group. Its role was narrowed to providing traction services for BLS Cargo in Germany and Belgium, while customer contracts were transferred to BLS Cargo. On 1 September 2025, the company adopted the name BLS Cargo Nord. The renamed business continues to operate BLS Cargo trains in Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany, with its core activity focused on cross-border rail freight traction rather than independently marketing the former Crossrail customer portfolio.

BLS Cargo Nord traces its origins to Dillen & Le Jeune Cargo, founded in Belgium in 2000 by Ronny Dillen and Jeroen Le Jeune. The company was created during the gradual opening of European rail freight markets and became the first private company to haul a freight train in Belgium. The founders initially owned equal shares. Hupac entered the capital in October 2001, before the company’s first train operation. In April 2002, DLC operated its first container train for MSC from the Port of Antwerp to Aachen West. A Class 66 locomotive leased from Porterbrook provided the initial traction, while an electric locomotive hired through Hupac hauled the onward section to Schwandorf. The service represented a significant change in the Belgian freight rail market, which had previously been dominated by the state railway. DLC operated under European rail liberalisation rules and its Belgian network safety authorization before private freight access was formally opened in March 2003. The company then extended its operating reach into the Netherlands. It obtained authorization to use the Dutch network early in 2003 and ran its first train to Waalhaven on 11 January. Recurring services connected Zeelandic Flanders with the wider European rail system, including traffic for Bertschi’s container terminal in Terneuzen. DLC merged with Crossrail AG in October 2007. Crossrail AG was linked to Babcock & Brown, and the combined structure operated subsidiaries in Belgium and Italy. The company obtained authorization to train its own drivers in September 2008. Ownership and management were unsettled during the following period. Disagreements between the founders led to Jeroen Le Jeune temporarily leaving in August 2008. After Babcock & Brown encountered serious financial difficulties during the global credit crisis, Le Jeune returned and acquired its 49 percent shareholding in August 2009, together with Ronny Dillen’s shares. The company also pursued legal action concerning rail-network access. In September 2009, Crossrail successfully challenged Belgian infrastructure manager Infrabel over the prioritisation of passenger traffic during a strike, arguing that rail operators should be treated equally. Liquidity pressures led to a new search for strategic and financial partners. Hupac acquired a 25 percent participation on 24 August 2010. In February 2012, customers LKW Walter and Général Transport Service acquired 25 percent and 10 percent respectively, reducing the Le Jeune group’s stake to 40 percent. Bertschi and MSC each acquired a further 10 percent from Le Jeune in July 2012. Control passed to Rhenus Group and LKW Walter in April 2016, with Rhenus holding 75 percent and LKW Walter 25 percent. The Swiss division was separated from the business, sold and merged with Cargologic in 2018. BLS Cargo acquired Crossrail Benelux in March 2019, with the effective date stated as 1 January 2019. In 2020, Crossrail Benelux became a full BLS Cargo group division. Its function shifted toward traction services for BLS Cargo trains in Germany and Belgium, and its customer contracts were transferred to BLS Cargo. On 1 September 2025, Crossrail Benelux changed its name to BLS Cargo Nord. The company remains active under the BLS Cargo brand and operates BLS Cargo trains in Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany.

• 2025

  Renamed BLS Cargo Nord

  [1]BLS Cargo Norden.wikipedia.org

  The company adopted the BLS Cargo Nord name on 1 September 2025.

• 2020

  Integration into BLS Cargo

  [1]BLS Cargo Norden.wikipedia.org

  Crossrail Benelux became a full division of the BLS Cargo group and focused on group traction services.

• 2019

  Acquisition by BLS Cargo

  [1]BLS Cargo Norden.wikipedia.org

  BLS Cargo acquired Crossrail Benelux with an effective date of 1 January 2019.

• 2016

  Rhenus Group takes control

  [1]BLS Cargo Norden.wikipedia.org

  Rhenus Group acquired a 75 percent controlling stake, while LKW Walter held 25 percent.

• 2009

  Crossrail wins Infrabel access case

  [1]BLS Cargo Norden.wikipedia.org

  Crossrail successfully sued Infrabel over the treatment of freight operators during a strike.

• 2008

  Own-driver training authorization

  [1]BLS Cargo Norden.wikipedia.org

  The company obtained authorization to train its own drivers.

• 2007

  DLC merges with Crossrail AG

  [1]BLS Cargo Norden.wikipedia.org

  DLC merged with Crossrail AG, creating a cross-border rail freight structure with Belgian and Italian subsidiaries.

• 2003

  Dutch network operations begin

  [1]BLS Cargo Norden.wikipedia.org

  The company obtained Dutch network authorization and began operating a service to Waalhaven on 11 January.

• 2002

  First private Belgian freight train

  [1]BLS Cargo Norden.wikipedia.org

  DLC hauled its first container train for MSC from Antwerp to Aachen West and onward to Schwandorf.

• 2001

  Hupac enters the capital

  [1]BLS Cargo Norden.wikipedia.org

  Hupac became a shareholder before DLC operated its first freight train.

• 2000

  Dillen & Le Jeune Cargo founded

  [1]BLS Cargo Norden.wikipedia.org

  Ronny Dillen and Jeroen Le Jeune established Dillen & Le Jeune Cargo, later known as DLC.

A cross-border rail freight traction specialist within the BLS Cargo group, with historical importance as an early private operator in Belgium and an operating focus on freight flows across Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany.

• Rail freight services

  Cross-border rail freight traction

  BLS Cargo Nord provides traction and operating services for BLS Cargo trains across Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany. Its role is primarily operational: moving freight trains across national networks and supporting cross-border rail logistics rather than maintaining the former Crossrail customer-contract portfolio.

• Intermodal rail freight · 2002

  Container train operations

  The company’s historical activity includes container train services linking major ports, inland terminals and industrial destinations. Its first documented service connected the Port of Antwerp with Aachen West and Schwandorf, establishing the company’s early role in international intermodal freight.

• 2025

  Adoption of the BLS Cargo Nord nameStrategy

  Background

  After becoming part of the BLS Cargo group, the former Crossrail Benelux business was aligned more directly with its parent brand.

  Action taken

  The company changed its name from Crossrail Benelux N.V. to BLS Cargo Nord on 1 September 2025.

  Aftermath

  The core business remained the operation of BLS Cargo trains in Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany.

  Source

• 2019

  BLS Cargo acquisition of Crossrail BeneluxM&A

  Background

  Crossrail Benelux was acquired by BLS Cargo amid a broader restructuring of the company’s ownership and operating role.

  Action taken

  BLS Cargo acquired the business with the transaction effective from 1 January 2019.

  Aftermath

  The company became a BLS Cargo division in 2020, and its customer contracts were transferred to BLS Cargo.

  Source

1. 1BLS Cargo Norden.wikipedia.org