A new development strengthens the logistics corridor between northeastern Italy and Belgium: in mid-January 2026, an intermodal rail link was launched between the Padua Interport and Zeebrugge, a port that is part of the unified Port of Antwerp-Bruges system.

The service was created to enhance logistics flows between Italy and one of Northern Europe’s main hubs, with a particular focus on connections to the United Kingdom, Ireland, and the Nordic region.

The first runs took place on January 15, 2026 (Belgium→Italy) and January 18, 2026 (Italy→Belgium). The initial schedule calls for three round trips per week, with the goal of increasing to five weekly rotations in the second quarter of 2026.

Comment by Cavaliere Domenico De Rosa:
“This news must be interpreted correctly: it is not just a new rail route; it is a sign of the European market’s maturity. Intermodality is not just a buzzword; it is an industrial choice: it means continuity, predictable capacity, reduced volatility, and greater resilience for supply chains. At a time when Europe needs to regain competitiveness, combined transport is one of the few concrete tools we have to bring together efficiency, resilience, and true sustainability. Above all, it allows Italian companies to stay connected to Northern European markets through more robust, modern, and intelligent approaches.”