Italian rail freight association Fermerci has reported a 3.5% decline in train-kilometres on the national network and a 2.51% drop in freight trains handled at Italian ports, based on preliminary data for its Annual Report. The association said further losses are likely in 2026 due to ongoing capacity restrictions and planned infrastructure works in Germany.
Closures and speed restrictions on the German section of the Scandinavian–Mediterranean corridor are due to start this year, affecting Italy’s main rail freight route to northern Europe.
The association referenced the 2017 Rastatt line interruption, when a seven-week closure caused production stoppages at multiple factories. According to a study by UIRR, the disruption generated economic losses exceeding EUR 2.2bn.
Fermerci has called on the Italian government to reach an agreement with Germany to mitigate the impact on combined transport. Following a bilateral meeting on 23 January, Italy’s Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport convened industry stakeholders to discuss possible measures.
The association has proposed coordinated planning among European infrastructure managers, maintaining at least 70–80% capacity during works, establishing national and European compensation funds for additional costs, and suspending cancellation penalties.
