ÖBB Rail Cargo Group is now running freight trains between Carinthia and Styria on the 130-kilometre route, marking a shift in Austria’s southern freight logistics.
Previously, trains moving between Villach and Graz were routed through Knittelfeld, Leoben, and Frohnleiten. The Koralm Railway eliminates this detour, cutting distances, travel times, and energy usage. According to ÖBB, the flatter gradients—reduced from 16 to 10 per mille—allow heavier trains of up to 280 additional tonnes, while the direct route is expected to reduce annual train kilometres by approximately 300,000.
The Koralm line forms part of the Baltic–Adriatic Corridor, connecting Austria to major freight ports and industrial centres in Europe. ÖBB projects that the combined capacity of the new route and the existing Neumarkt Saddle line will increase freight capacity on the Southern axis by up to 30%.
Single wagonload trains are among the first to operate on the new route. These trains are assembled at Villach Süd marshalling yard from wagons arriving from various directions and routed to Graz for further distribution. Omya, a mineral filler supplier for the paper industry, was among the first customers to use the new corridor, citing improved efficiency and reduced CO₂ emissions.
Once complete, the Koralm Railway will consist of 130 kilometres of new track, including the 33-kilometre Koralm Tunnel and over 100 bridges. Passenger operations are set to begin on 14 December 2025, reducing travel time between Graz and Klagenfurt to 41 minutes. The route will also integrate with future upgrades, including the Semmering Base Tunnel, further reinforcing Austria’s role in trans-European rail freight.
