As of early February 2014, three direct weekly rail roundtrips are connecting the deep sea terminal Antwerp Gateway and the intermodal hub duisport. In the past, these trains were routed via the Main Hub and the Narcon system which is the provider of cargo train services in Belgium. The new service provides customers with faster and more efficient cargo handling in both directions. The train service, processed by duisport agency and operated by IFB, departs from Quay 1700 in Antwerp to Duisburg, from where more than 80 direct destinations in Europe and Asia can be reached via 360 trains scheduled per week. With support from the Port of Antwerp, the new service can also benefit all other terminals, by using short barge services provided within the port. This is one more multimodal solution to access the European hinterland that Antwerp Gateway is offering to its customers. It is the full intention to provide a daily rail connection service as soon as possible, subject to demand. Erich Staake, Chief Executive Officer of Duisburger Hafen AG said, “This new rail service is the fastest intermodal solution between Antwerp and Duisburg and thus guarantees our maritime customers a very efficient connection to the European hinterland.” Rob Harrison, CEO of DP World Antwerp said, “The rail terminal at Antwerp Gateway is perfectly positioned to handle the container volumes between the German hinterland and the container terminals in the port of Antwerp. Direct trains to and from the maritime terminals guarantee an easy and cost effective access to the port.”