Only 5% of Companies Choose Intermodal in Three Italian Key Regions

Why It Matters

Low intermodal uptake hampers efforts to reduce road congestion and emissions in Italy’s key industrial corridors, limiting logistics efficiency and sustainability goals.

Key Takeaways

• Intermodal usage stayed below 5% except 2023 spike
• 2025: 95% of firms prefer trucks over rail
• Only 21% plan future intermodal adoption, Lombardy leads
• Cost advantage perception fell to 43% in 2025
• Habit and safety concerns now drive road preference

Pulse Analysis

Italy’s Lombardy, Veneto and Emilia‑Romagna form the backbone of the nation’s manufacturing output, and efficient port connectivity is essential for global competitiveness. Intermodal transport—combining rail and road—offers lower carbon intensity, reduced highway wear, and often competitive transit times. Yet the Contship‑SRM survey reveals that despite these advantages, firms have largely ignored rail links, keeping intermodal share under 5% for most of the last four years. This entrenched reliance on trucks underscores a broader challenge: shifting legacy logistics networks toward more sustainable modes without sacrificing service levels.

The data points to a subtle but meaningful shift in decision drivers. While cost remains a factor, its perceived advantage fell from 59% to 43% between 2024 and 2025, suggesting that price differentials between road and rail are narrowing or that firms are reassessing total cost of ownership. Conversely, habit and safety perceptions have surged, with 35% citing “always used road” and 31% deeming trucks safer. These attitudes reflect a cultural inertia that can outweigh pure economics, especially in regions where rail infrastructure may be perceived as less reliable. The stark 95% truck preference in 2025 highlights the urgency for carriers and policymakers to address reliability gaps and demonstrate tangible safety benefits of rail‑based solutions.

Looking forward, the modest 21% of companies planning intermodal adoption—driven primarily by Lombardy’s 38%—offers a foothold for targeted interventions. Incentives such as reduced rail tariffs, investment in last‑mile rail terminals, and digital platforms that streamline multimodal booking could accelerate the shift. Moreover, aligning sustainability mandates with tangible cost‑saving programs may convert habit‑driven firms. If Italian logistics stakeholders can translate intent into action, the region could see a measurable reduction in road congestion, lower emissions, and enhanced supply‑chain resilience, setting a benchmark for other European industrial hubs.