SBB’s black results cannot hide single wagonload financial bleed-out
The Swiss SBB Group brought its finances back to the black in 2023 for the first time since 2019. Strong passenger transport performance led the Group’s recovery. Cargo performance was still in the red for...Read more
Automated brake tests on Swiss freight trains to start in mid-2024
The Swiss Federal Office of Transport issued the type-approval for automated brake tests for SBB Cargo trains. In-service tests will be held at selected locations over the next three months, with a large-scale rollout planned...Read more
SBB Cargo: ‘No RU has managed to offer single wagonload traffic alone’
INTERVIEWFor many countries, Switzerland is an example to look up to when setting up a rail freight transport and infrastructure policy. Just like Swiss clocks, the rail industry is working with accuracy. That, however, does...Read more
Gotthard accident: ‘crack in wheel could not have been detected’
The Swiss Safety Investigation Board (SUST) confirmed initial suspicions that the derailment of a freight train in the Gotthard Base Tunnel on 10 August was caused by a faulty wheel. The SUST report mentioned that...Read more
Gotthard accident: tunnel has been cleared, but finish line is still far
Accident updateThe western tunnel of the Gotthard Base Tunnel has been cleared from the debris left after a freight train derailment on Thursday 10 August. The last 16 wagons still in the tunnel were removed and...Read more
Gateway Basel Nord terminal gets green light to begin construction
The Swiss Gateway Basel Nord trimodal terminal in Basel-Kleinhüningen has received planning approval from the Swiss Federal Office of Transport (BAV) and can proceed with construction. The new terminal will be completed in two construction...Read more
European rail freight companies unite against DB Netz’s cancellation fees
Seven of the largest rail freight companies in Europe are jointly asking German infrastructure manager DB Netz to review their cancellation fee that will be applied in 2024. The companies are Rail Cargo Group, SBB...Read more
SBB Cargo is all back in the hands of the Swiss government
The Swiss Federal Railways (SBB), the Helvetic infrastructure manager, is back to being the only shareholder of its freight subsidiary SBB Cargo. The state-owned company has repurchased the 35 per cent of shares that, in...Read more
Deutsche Bahn completes digital freight train test run
Deutsche Bahn (DB) has completed the first practical test of the so-called digital freight train. This test train was equipped with various prototypes of digital automatic couplers (DAC). The trial convoy ran throughout Europe for...Read more
SBB Cargo notes substantial financial losses
Last year, the Swiss rail freight operator SBB Cargo saw its financial losses catastrophically increase from 1,2 million euros in 2021 to a negative result of 191 million euros. That was almost 80 per cent...Read more
Swiss single wagonload support: ‘yes, but…’, says rail sector
The Swiss Federal Council’s scheme to grow rail freight is currently in consultation until 24 February. The plan focuses on two variants: either supporting single wagonload or opening competition with road transport. So far, Swiss...Read moreSingle wagonload in Switzerland: state aid or competition with road?
The Swiss Federal Council submitted two new variants to the framework conditions for freight transport to incentivise rail freight. The first one concerns extensive financial support from the Swiss government for single wagonload traffic. The...Read more
SBB will build new terminals and city hubs to boost rail freight
The Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) is presenting a plan called Suisse Cargo Logistics for the future of its rail freight sector. The plan will include the building of five new terminals between Geneva, in the...Read more
What is the future for single wagonload traffic in Switzerland?
Last week, Swiss Federal Councilor Simonetta Sommaruga held a speech at the General Assembly of the Association of Shipping Business and Logistics VAP. Sommaruga claimed that rail freight transportation is no longer economically viable when...Read more
Addicted to locomotives: SBB Cargo keeps expanding its fleet
Swiss rail freight operator SBB Cargo will lease 35 Vectron AC Locomotives from Siemens Mobility. The order was placed by Swiss investment firm Reichmuth & Co Investment Management AG, which agreed with SBB Cargo on...Read more
SBB Cargo enlarges locomotive fleet to push freight expansion
Swiss rail freight operator SBB Cargo international has ordered 20 Vectron multisystem locomotives from Siemens Mobility. The operator placed the order in collaboration with German finance group SüdLeasing and is part of a planned expansion...Read moreGateway Basel Nord to become a nature conservation transport hub
Switzerland’s under-construction Gateway Basel Nord trimodal terminal has submitted plans to create a nature conservation concept in its area. The project aims to create a meadow bridge for migrating animals on top of a 45,8-hectare...Read more
European test run with Digital Automatic Coupling begins
In Berlin, a freight train equipped with a Digital Automatic Coupler has started a practical test run across Europe, lasting several months. German Federal Minister for Transport Volker Wissing gave the symbolic starting signal for...Read moreSwiss SBB Cargo suffers significant losses in 2020
The Swiss rail freight operator SBB Cargo suffered a loss of almost 35 million francs last year, which amounts to 31.2 million euros. This is evident from the annual figures of parent company SBB.Read more