2024 brings new Italy-Benelux rail freight connections
Freight convoys running between Italy and the Benelux region are increasing with the beginning of 2024. GTS Rail has increased its Bologna-Zeebrugge frequency from four to six weekly trains. Moreover, starting in February, Contship will upgrade from three to five weekly convoys between Milan and Rotterdam.
Contship will implement this frequency increase as of 5 February. The service entails a direct connection between the Rail Hub Milano in Melzo with the Botlek terminal at the port of Rotterdam. In total, Contship’s links between the two locations will rise to 15. The service is also suitable for semi-trailers, both cranable and non-cranable. Rail traction for this service is carried out by SBB Cargo International, a subsidiary of the Swiss national rail freight company SBB Cargo.
Concerning GTS Rail, the increase in the frequency of their service connecting Bologna, in Italy, with Zeebrugge in Belgium, was preceded by the acquisition of 54 new wagons. The Italian company invested seven million euros for the rolling stock, whose delivery will be finalised in the first months of 2024. The company also invested 74 million euros in the purchase of 20 locomotives from Alstom, half of which will be delivered this year, with the rest coming in in 2025.
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