On 24 January 2025, Seaway Agency, a maritime agent collaborating with Gts, announced the launch of an intermodal rail-sea service connecting the Melzo/Milan terminal with the port of Ravenna. The aim is to transport containers from Ravenna to Israel. By utilising 45-foot containers, which provide a 15% increase in volume compared to the traditional 40-foot containers, and in partnership with the maritime company Medkon, Seaway stated that from February, the cargo capacity of a single vessel could increase by up to thirty percent.
Luigi Foglio, CEO of Seaway and representative of Medkon in Italy, outlined the prospects of this operation: “From the port of Ravenna, which is naturally a strategic hub for trade with the Mediterranean and the East, we have moved approximately 40,000 tonnes of goods via container since July 2024. For 2025, we aim to reach 90,000 tonnes, thanks to the deployment of Gts's larger containers.” Container transport has experienced significant instability due to conflicts affecting the Suez Canal and the Red Sea, causing operational challenges for many companies. However, as Foglio highlighted, the routes managed by Seaway were not directly impacted by these critical zones: “The recent ceasefire has encouraged us to intensify connections with Israel, improving service quality and delivery times.”
Shipments will depart from the Melzo/Milan terminal twice a week and will also include empty containers to ensure operational flexibility. The 45-foot containers, already in use for road transport, will complement the traditional 40-foot ones, offering greater durability and safety even in adverse weather conditions. Seaway emphasised that this new intermodal service will benefit various sectors, including construction, pharmaceuticals, food, and paper. In addition to goods originating from Italy, Seaway will also handle shipments from the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Belgium to Israel and vice versa.
