The Rhine-Alpine corridor connecting Italy to northern Europe is one of the main rail freight arteries in Europe. DB Cargo and GTS have recently started two new services, both from Italy, with one going to Switzerland and one to the Netherlands.
DB Cargo’s service runs between Emmenbrücke, in the heart of Switzerland, and Lecco, in northern Italy. The initiative is on behalf of Steeltec, part of the Swiss Steel Group. The first train departed in January and will help to supply steel products to companies in the north of Italy. The service is carried out by DB’s subsidiary DB Cargo Italia, DB Cargo Switzerland and DB Cargo Full-Load Solutions.
The new GTS service, on the other hand, represents a first for the company. It was in fact the first time that it moved a train between Bologna, in Italy, and the Rotterdam Botlek terminal, in the Netherlands, using only one interoperable locomotive. “This achievement represents a key milestone in our journey of growth and internationalisation”, the company said.