At the beginning of December 2025, operational activities for Modalink were launched at the Antwerp Mainhub terminal, marking a significant first milestone in the partnership between Belgium’s Lineas and FS Logistix. According to figures released by the Italian company, between September and November the number of containers moved doubled, highlighting the growth of the strategic Antwerp–Italy axis and the importance of the new operational base at the heart of Europe’s logistics network. Modalink will manage terminal operations at the Mainhub and develop intermodal services from the port of Antwerp to Italy and other European markets.
The Antwerp Mainhub terminal covers 200,000 square metres, with eight 700-metre tracks, three gantry cranes and six straddle carriers, offering capacity for up to 200,000 containers a year. This infrastructure allows Modalink to integrate into a high-volume logistics network and support a modal shift towards rail. The Italian–Belgian joint venture is focusing investment on strengthening the north–south corridor, aiming to improve operations and broaden the intermodal offer.
The Antwerp–Milan connection runs five round trips per week and, according to estimates from the two companies, could remove more than 13,000 heavy goods vehicles from the roads each year and avoid over 46,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions, while linking with other Italian terminals such as Pomezia, Marcianise and Catania. The longer-term goal is to build a more resilient distribution network better aligned with flows from the Belgian gateway.
The partners’ contributions combine complementary expertise: FS Logistix brings experience in terminal operations and intermodal logistics, while Lineas contributes its specialisation in rail traction across European corridors. The shareholding structure, with 30 per cent held by FS Logistix and 70 per cent by Lineas, underscores a long-term commitment to developing the platform.
