Rail Cargo Group (RCG), Austria’s national rail freight operator, has launched a new return service between northern Italy and Romania, seeking to take advantage of what has so far been an underdeveloped intermodal corridor. The thrice-weekly service will run between Verona and Arad.

The aim is to tap into the market for large movements of goods between the important northern Italian industrial region and Romania, which are still predominantly transported by road. RCG says intermodal transport offers huge potential for the route, as the advantages of rail can be fully realised. It signals the start of the next phase of RCG’s Rail Cargo Operator service, the group’s long haul, high-frequency cargo arm.

‘Competitive journey time’

All combined transport options, including tanks, swap bodies and (mega) trailers can be accommodated on the new route, which RCG says offers a ‘competitive journey time’ between the Interporto Quadrante Europa di Verona terminal and the Railport in Arad, along with a corresponding pricing structure.

Starting with three weekly departures in each direction, Rail Cargo Operator is offering what is the only open train system for intermodal consignments on the 1,100 kilometre-long route, which sees trains travel through five European countries in less than 40 hours. Initial market demand, says RCO, suggests the service is going to be popular, with a high level of bookings in the run-up to this week’s launch. Rail Cargo Operator is already working on extending the timetable, with the possibility it may soon be increased to five round trips per week.