In 2025 the Hupac Group transported around 975,000 road shipments in combined road–rail transport and maritime container intermodal traffic, which totalled 1,853,000 TEU. This represents an increase of 4.3% compared with the previous year, equivalent to roughly 40,000 additional shipments. Despite a context marked by numerous construction works on the European rail network and line interruptions, the Swiss company has confirmed its position among Europe’s leading combined transport operators, with a significant presence along the TEN-T Rhine–Alpine corridor.
In transalpine traffic through Switzerland, which represents the core of the group’s activity, volumes increased by 4.5%, equal to 24,100 more shipments than in 2024. The company explains that this result was achieved despite operational limitations linked to infrastructure works. Italy made a key contribution, and growth was also supported by the acquisition of new traffic on the Belgium–Italy axis. Without these additional volumes, transalpine traffic via Switzerland would have recorded a further decline for the second consecutive year.
A positive dynamic, although on smaller volumes, also involved transalpine traffic via France and Austria, which rose by 26.9%, equivalent to about 5,100 shipments. At the same time, non-transalpine traffic in the continental and maritime segments reached almost 390,000 road shipments. Overall, the trend confirms stable demand for intermodal services, despite complex operating conditions across the European rail network.
According to Hans Jörg Bertschi, chairman of the board of directors of Hupac, the result should be considered positive given the infrastructure challenges: “The trend in volumes is overall satisfactory, especially considering challenges such as the total closure of the Rhine Valley railway line in June, during a period characterised by heavy traffic. Hupac continues to work with commitment to ensure the best combined transport solutions for its customers even under these conditions”.
Rail infrastructure issues will remain central in 2026. In Germany, a two-week closure of the Rhine Valley line is planned during the spring. In Italy, a five-week suspension of the section between Iselle and Domodossola is scheduled for the summer. These will be accompanied by works on the Troisdorf–Wiesbaden line, where a diversion service will be activated in the second half of the year.
To manage these interruptions, Hupac is developing diversion plans together with rail service providers. The company highlights several operational conditions it considers essential to maintain the competitiveness of combined transport in Europe. These include the availability of capacity on alternative routes equal to at least 90% of normal levels, international coordination of construction works to avoid simultaneous closures along TEN-T corridors, and compliance with train operating parameters – particularly regarding profile, length and weight – also on alternative lines. Another key factor concerns the operational reliability of diversion routes, which according to Hupac must be ensured through preventive maintenance and the constant presence of staff in control centres.
The Swiss group is also intervening on its commercial offering and logistics network, particularly in relation to Italy. Since the beginning of 2026 it has strengthened services on the Köln Nord–Busto Arsizio and Ludwigshafen–Busto Arsizio routes, increasing connection frequencies. “The launch of high-frequency services shows that it is possible to minimise the negative effects of delays for our customers,” explained Michail Stahlhut, chief executive of the Hupac Group. “It is clear that the German railway network requires rehabilitation work. In the coming years we intend to steadily expand our offerings to guarantee reliable service even in difficult infrastructure situations”.
In terms of network development, Hupac has also expanded its presence in the Iberian Peninsula with the Barcelona Combiconnect terminal. The facility is operated together with the operator TP Nova and, since the beginning of the year, has linked the Spanish intermodal market with the group’s European network. Alongside these operational developments, however, Hupac notes a structural trend along the north–south corridor through Switzerland, where combined transport volumes have been steadily declining since 2021. In 2024, 960,000 truck crossings through the Swiss Alps were recorded, a level well above the limit of 650,000 annual journeys set by the Swiss Constitution.
According to the company, no signs of reversal are emerging in the short term and the situation may have worsened further in 2025. For this reason Hupac stresses the importance of maintaining support instruments for combined transport. In particular, the group believes it is necessary to ensure the continuation of operating subsidies for transalpine combined transport beyond 2030, in order to provide the sector with a long-term planning perspective and mitigate the additional burdens generated by the current infrastructure situation.
