Belgian operator Lineas is launching a new intermodal rail link for freight between North Sea Port and Piadena in Italy. The daily intermodal train will run from the Interface Terminal at Kluizendok in Ghent in North Sea Port to the Pesanti terminal at Piadena in Italy, according to the company's release.
Europe's largest private rail freight operator Lineas is seeing rapidly growing demand for more intermodal capacity between Belgium and Italy. Following the earlier launch of the Ghent-Segrate train in 2021, the company is adding another intermodal connection between North Sea Port and Italy with 5 round trips per week. The new line connects with the Pesanti terminal in Piadena, in the middle of the Milan – Verona – Bologna triangle, one of Italy's most important industrial regions. The train will carry cargo including chemicals, steel, tiles, household goods, bulk goods and powders in various types of containers.
Lineas is the first operator to use the Pesanti terminal for intermodal rail freight. Since the Segrate terminal is in great demand and is at capacity, Piadena (150km from Milan) offers a second access point to Italy. Lineas has already moved nearly 10,000 containers since the launch of the Ghent-Segrate link a year ago.
The Ghent-Piadena link represents a strong addition to the quality rail offer that North Sea Port and Lineas have developed over recent years. With connections to Italy and Sweden, the partnership currently eliminates more than 30,000 truck journeys (round trips) around the port and well into the European hinterland.
Lineas is Europe's largest private rail freight operator, with 2,000 employees helping customers decarbonise their supply chains with green rail freight every day. With international freight trains that emit 90% less CO2 than trucks, Lineas aims to make a significant contribution to climate targets. The company is headquartered in Brussels and has local teams and sites in France, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Spain.