Rhine-Alpine News
07.08.2024
Key Rail Line between Italy and Switzerland closed between 9 and 30 August
Symbolic picture by Fancycrave1 on Pixabay
A vital transport route in the Rhine-Alpine Corridor, connecting Italy to Switzerland is facing significant disruptions due to construction and closure of key railway lines during August 2024.
The railway between Novara and Domodossola, connecting Italy to Switzerland, will be closed from August 9 to 30 for infrastructure upgrades. This closure coincides with the shutdown of other important lines in Italy and Germany, including the Domodossola-Milan railway and the Rhine Valley line between Rastatt and Baden-Baden. These simultaneous closures are creating challenges for rail freight in the region.
To mitigate the impact of these closures, industry players led by Hupac have developed an innovative solution. They have established a diversion concept via France, utilizing a diesel shuttle service between Offenburg and Wörth. This shuttle service doubles the capacity for freight trains and allows for the use of the standard P400 profile. The diesel locomotives and specially trained, multilingual drivers ensure communication with national control centers. Hupac’s CEO, Michail Stahlhut, emphasizes that this initiative will cover 80% of the transport demand in August, supporting industrial supply despite the closure of the main transport axis.
The complex construction situation poses operational challenges, and Hupac’s control center works around the clock to manage disruptions. The company offers an updated timetable and bookings for its customers during this period. The closures along the Rhine-Alpine Corridor highlight the importance of finding alternative routes and collaborative initiatives to maintain efficient rail freight operations in Europe.
In summary, the closure of key railway lines in the Rhine-Alpine Corridor during August 2024 has led to the development of creative solutions by industry leaders. Hupac’s diesel shuttle service via France helps maintain freight capacity and showcases the resilience of the rail freight sector in adapting to disruptions.
Sources:
Clean Energy Hubs Project makes steady progress in the Netherlands
Symbolic picture created with Microsoft Copilot
The Clean Energy Hubs program in the Netherlands is making significant progress, with 51 clean energy hubs established across the country, aiming for 100 hubs by 2030. Led by the Province of Gelderland, the program involves 12 Dutch provinces and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management. Clean Energy Hubs are refueling, loading, or bunkering stations offering at least two alternative renewable energy sources, primarily for heavy freight transportation. These sources include HVO, GTL, Bio-CNG, Bio-LNG (green gas), electricity, and hydrogen.
The program has developed a location tool to identify promising sites for sustainable refueling and charging points, considering factors like truck parking, hospitality, and freight hub functions. While the program is on track, realizing Clean Energy Hubs faces challenges, including lengthy objection procedures and safety requirements. A handbook has been created to guide developers through the process.
The program leader, Joost Roeterdink, highlights the current demand for HVO, CNG, and LNG as diesel replacements and the growing need for electric truck charging stations. He also acknowledges the slower development of hydrogen demand and the focus on heavy goods transport by road. Roeterdink intends to draw attention to inland shipping during upcoming Administrative Consultations, aiming to develop a roadmap for Clean Energy Hubs along these routes.
International cooperation with neighboring countries, such as the adoption of the program by North Rhine-Westphalia, showcases the program’s success and its potential for cross-border sustainability initiatives. However, with national funding for the program expiring at the end of 2024, discussions are underway to secure an extension, ensuring continued progress toward sustainable freight transportation.
Source(in Dutch):
Register for the Rhine-Alpine Corridor Conference today
Join our Rhine-Alpine Corridor Conference on the 25th September in Palazzo Lombardia, Milan.
The Conference will feature a variety of different speakers, and we hope to encourage stimulating discussions through our thematic sessions covering themes such as “The new TEN-T Corridor Framework” , “The Italian Regions in the wider Corridor Context” and “Towards a Comprehensive Strategy for the NSRMED”.
The Conference takes place in coordination with Stati Generali della Logistica del Nord-Ovest on September 25-26th 2024 in Milan.
The Rhine-Alpine Corridor Conference “Vital Links – Resilient Network from North Sea to Mediterranean” is scheduled for the afternoon of the 25th in the Palazzo Lombardia, in coordination with the Stati Generali della Logistica del Nord-Ovest Conference. The event is organised by our three Italian Member regions with Regione Lombardia as main organiser.
You can register for the event by using the form linked below until the 4th of September 2024.
Simultaneous translation (IT – EN) will be available starting at 14.30 on the 25th of September.