The EURO6000 electric locomotive manufactured by Stadler has been authorized to operate in Belgium, following approval obtained in Luxembourg at the end of 2025. The expansion of its operating area enables uninterrupted freight transport between Barcelona and Antwerp along the North Sea–Mediterranean Corridor.
The Swiss manufacturer Stadler has obtained authorization to operate the EURO6000 electric locomotives in Belgium, marking a new phase in the platform’s expansion on international freight routes in Western Europe.
This approval follows the authorization obtained in Luxembourg at the end of 2025. Together, the two certifications allow the locomotives to cover routes between the Iberian Peninsula and the ports of Northern Europe, traversing Spain, France, Luxembourg, and Belgium.
According to Stadler, the EURO6000 is currently the only type of locomotive operating along the entire North Sea–Mediterranean Corridor, one of the strategic axes of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T).
Direct Freight Services Between Barcelona and Antwerp
The new authorization allows rail operators to use the locomotive for non-stop freight transport between Barcelona and Antwerp, one of Europe’s most important ports.
“The authorization in Belgium and Luxembourg opens up new opportunities for rail freight operators seeking sustainable and competitive cross-border solutions,” said Iñigo Parra, executive vice president of Stadler’s Spanish division.
He noted that the EURO6000 was designed for international operations and can support continuous freight flows along the axis between southern and northern Europe.
Expanding the operating area can reduce the need to change locomotives at the border—an operation that requires additional time, personnel, and coordination among operators. For freight carriers, a multisystem locomotive authorized in multiple countries can increase commercial speed and simplify the organization of international trains.
Over 100 EURO6000 locomotives in service
The EURO6000 fleet has surpassed 100 locomotives in service, with the vehicles already being used for international freight trains between France and Spain.
The locomotive has six axles, a power output of 6 MW, and a traction force designed for heavy trains.
According to Stadler, a single locomotive can haul trains weighing over 2,000 metric tons on routes with challenging gradients, while maintaining competitive commercial speeds.
Its multisystem capability allows it to operate on the various electrification systems found on European networks, one of the essential requirements for international operation.
The platform is specifically designed for freight transport on corridors where heavy trains must cross multiple countries and infrastructures with different technical characteristics.
A Strategic Corridor for European Freight Transport
The North Sea–Mediterranean Corridor connects the ports and industrial centers of northern Europe with France and the Iberian Peninsula.
The route through Spain, France, Luxembourg, and Belgium is of major importance for the transport of containers, industrial products, and other freight between Mediterranean and North Sea ports.
The EURO6000 authorization in Belgium and Luxembourg thus completes one of the necessary links for using the same locomotive along the entire route.
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