10 More Trains per Week in Liège to Boost the Modal Shift

Why It Matters

The expanded rail network accelerates the modal shift from road to rail, cutting emissions and easing highway congestion across Western Europe. It also strengthens Liège’s role as a strategic logistics hub linking Central and Southern Europe.

Key Takeaways

• 10 new freight trains weekly from Liège terminals.
• Slovakian service moves 277 cars, cuts 2,000 trucks.
• Romanian route increased from three to up to seven weekly.
• CargoBeamer Italy link runs six times weekly, recovers lost volumes.
• Intermodal terminals aim to shift freight from road to rail.

Pulse Analysis

European freight operators are under pressure to reduce carbon footprints and alleviate congested highways, prompting a wave of rail‑centric initiatives. Liège, positioned at the crossroads of the Benelux and the Alpine corridors, is capitalising on its intermodal infrastructure to capture trans‑European cargo. By launching ten additional weekly trains, the city aligns with EU policy goals for greener logistics while offering shippers a reliable alternative to long‑haul trucking.

The new services break down into three distinct corridors. The Trilogiport‑to‑Trnava line, operated with Hödlmayr Group, runs a 651‑metre train once a week, transporting 277 automobiles and removing an estimated 2,000 trucks from the road. At the Liège Logistics Intermodal terminal, RTB Cargo runs three weekly trains to Romania, with a target of seven trips, while CargoBeamer operates six weekly services to Italy’s Domodossola and Parma, filling the gap left by the discontinued rolling‑highway link. These frequencies translate into measurable capacity gains and provide flexible loading options for a range of freight units.

Beyond immediate volume shifts, the expanded rail network strengthens Liège’s competitive edge as a logistics hub. Greater train frequencies attract manufacturers seeking resilient supply chains, especially in the automotive and consumer goods sectors. Over time, the modal shift can deliver substantial emission reductions—each truck displaced saves roughly 0.7 tCO₂ per trip—while also lowering road maintenance costs for governments. As European freight demand rebounds, Liège’s rail‑centric strategy positions it to capture a larger share of north‑south cargo flows, reinforcing the continent’s transition toward sustainable, intermodal transport.