New 2,500 km connection between Italy and Sweden

A new 2,500 kilometres freight connection between Sweden and Italy has been launched by FS Logistix, through its German subsidiary TX Logistik AG, and the Finnish logistics company Nurminen Logistics. The weekly link between Castelguelfo, in the province of Parma, and Frövi, in the central Swedish region of Örebro, passes through five European countries. The new connection is part of the FS Group's expansion of operations in European rail freight transport along the north-south axis.

 

The service, which offers a fast transit time between Italy and Sweden, is operated as a dedicated block train system for the Finnish logistics company Nurminen Logistics and is made possible thanks to the synergy between two FS Logistix operators, Mercitalia Rail and TX Logistik. The train is more than 500 metres long in regular operation and primarily transports containers loaded with food, beverages, tiles, pulp, wood, paper and steel, as well as other goods.

 

The 2,500-kilometre connection between Castelguelfo and Frövi is the longest continuous corridor in TX Logistik's European network. “The local expertise of our teams in five countries meets cross-border cooperation,” emphasises Sabrina De Filippis, CEO of FS Logistix. “With this new route, we are not only contributing to the strengthening of trade relations between Italy and Sweden but also sending a strong signal for international connectivity. The train demonstrates what is possible when the strengths of a corporate group come together: We are bringing Europe closer together by rail.”

 

“A roughly two‑ to three‑day transit time offers a fast and substantially lower‑emission alternative to long‑haul road transport between Italy and Sweden. By combining a dedicated block train with the flexibility to handle part-load shipments, we can provide reliable, efficient and low‑emission transport to an even broader customer base, including the retail industry. This is a strong example of how European cooperation can deliver smarter and more sustainable logistics,” says Olli Pohjanvirta, CEO of Nurminen Logistics.

 

Frövi has been an important Scandinavian railway hub since the 19th century. Loading takes place in Sweden on Thursdays and in Castelguelfo on Mondays. The northbound route leads from Castelguelfo via Chiasso, Basel, Hamburg, Padborg, the Öresund Bridge and Malmö to Frövi. Mercitalia Rail operates the service from Castelguelfo to Chiasso, and TX Logistik provides traction from Chiasso to Frövi with modern multi-system locomotives. The journey takes about two days across Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Denmark and Sweden.