Fermerci’s annual report on rail freight in Italy, presented in Rome on 20 May 2026, depicts a sector under pressure: train-km fell to 49.4 million, down 3.5%, while the European industrial crisis, worksites across the network and weak foreign demand are holding back the recovery. Rail’s environmental role remains crucial, with 1.6 million tonnes of CO2 emissions avoided.

The European Parliament Transport Committee has approved a proposal to amend the Eurovignette Directive to introduce toll reductions for efficient trailers. The file must now pass negotiations with the Council, where several governments still have technical and administrative reservations.

Rhenus has launched a road and multimodal connection via Jordan to serve Turkey, Europe and Gulf markets. The service responds to obstacles on maritime routes and handled more than 190 tonnes in its first month.

On 13 December 2026, Switzerland’s new operating model for single-wagonload rail freight will come into force: a smaller but more focused network, ten-year contracts with major shippers and CHF260 million in public support for 2026-2029. The aim is to move close to break-even by 2030.

The Italian rail network, and the eastern Veneto-Friuli network in particular, cannot absorb the increase in freight traffic generated by Austria’s new Koralm Railway following the opening of the new route with its long base tunnel.