Fermerci, the Italian association representing rail freight operators, has issued a fresh appeal to the Prime Minister and the Ministers of Transport and Economy. The concern focuses on the crisis in rail freight, which risks worsening due to bureaucratic delays and funding cuts, with a potential loss of €115 million. The alarm was sounded on 26 November 2024 by the association's president, Clemente Carta.
"The incentive scheme for the purchase of locomotives and wagons, introduced in 2021 and authorised by the European Commission in 2023, has still not been implemented," he warns. "This measure, fundamental for encouraging the acquisition of new rolling stock, has been defunded by €55 million in the Omnibus Decree Conversion Law, representing a 40% cut. Moreover, failure to implement the regulation promptly could lead to the permanent loss of €115 million, leaving operators without the necessary support to sustain investments already underway. These include the purchase of 196 new locomotives, essential to modernising and improving the efficiency of rail freight transport. The investment made by companies for the reference period is close to €1 billion, with VAT alone exceeding the value of the incentive."
Rail logistics represents a strategic asset for the country, but according to Carta, "bureaucratic delays and legislative holdups are stifling its full potential, and the companies that operate and invest in it need consistency and regulatory certainty." Fermerci reiterated the need to immediately release the funds that have been set aside or, alternatively, to freeze them for further verification, ensuring that the commitments already made by businesses are protected. Carta concluded his statement with a plea: "We call on the Government to act urgently. Rail freight transport is a cornerstone of the sustainability and competitiveness of our logistics system. We cannot afford to lose further resources or jeopardise investments already in progress."
