The Italian state-owned rail freight group FS Logistix took over a service connecting Milan to Antwerp from Belgian private operator Lineas. This move comes after the two companies launched a joint venture to manage the Antwerp Main Hub – Modalink.
The takeover for the Antwerp-Milan service occurred in September, but it was only announced this week. Despite FS Logistix becoming the rail operator through its subsidiary Mercitalia Intermodal, Lineas will continue to participate by providing the locomotives for the traction.
The service will run five times a week and will allow for further connections in Italy, such as the terminal in Pomezia, near Rome. The new rail link is the first tangible result since FS Logistix acquired a 30% stake in the Antwerp Main Hub, the Italian company added. This agreement was also signed in September. Other than managing the terminal, Modalink will also operate the feeder intermodal services from and to the different quays in the port.