A EUR 120 million project aimed at strengthening Italy’s position on European logistics corridors has reached an important milestone. The first three electric gantry cranes have been installed at the new Milano Smistamento intermodal terminal, marking a key moment in the development of one of the most important rail hubs in northern Italy.
The investment is being made through TerAlp, a company owned by FS Logistix (part of the FS Group) in partnership with the Swiss group Hupac.
A strategic hub on the Italy-Switzerland-Northern Europe axis
The terminal is designed to significantly increase transfer capacity between rail and road transport, in a context of growing freight flows on the Italy-Switzerland-Northern Europe axis.
The project also takes advantage of the modernized Alpine infrastructure, in particular the Gotthard Base Tunnel and the Ceneri Tunnel, which have reduced transit times on the north-south corridor.
The new electric portal cranes, which can be moved on rails, will be essential for container loading and unloading operations, helping to increase efficiency and reduce environmental impact.
The contract for the production and installation of six cranes, worth approximately EUR 31 million, was signed in August 2024 with the Austrian company Kuenz.
Capacity of up to 44 trains per day
The terminal will be built on an area of approximately 240,000 m² and will include 15 lines at least 740 meters long — 10 dedicated to transshipment operations and 5 support lines.
The infrastructure is organized into two modules, each equipped with three electric gantry cranes.
At full capacity, the terminal will be able to handle up to 44 trains per day, with an estimated volume of approximately 395,000 intermodal transport units (ITUs) per year.
Objective: to transfer goods from road to rail
The CEO of the FS Group, Stefano Antonio Donnarumma, emphasized that the investment is part of the strategy to consolidate the major European logistics axes and accelerate the transfer of goods from road to rail.
Sabrina De Filippis, CEO of FS Logistix, highlighted the role of terminals as a central element of intermodality, while Bernhard Kunz, president of TerAlp, pointed out the importance of more efficient connections between the Italian market and its ports with Benelux, Germany, and Eastern Europe.
The project is part of a broader investment program by FS Logistix to develop low-emission, technologically advanced intermodal terminals capable of meeting the growing demand for international freight transport.
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