With international freight via container increasing at a rate of 2.5% per year, and with the ports of southern Italy being so close to shipping routes from Asia passing through the Suez canal, it’s no wonder that overland routes are becoming congested and alternative initiatives set in motion.
Whereas in Germany for example more and more container freight is moved by canal, this is impossible given the mountainous terrain of Italy. The solution is the brand new Genoa-Milan high speed, high capacity railway project known as Trezo Valico del Giovi. Works are well underway on the project, with final design works commencing in 2003 ahead of construction work beginning in April of 2012. The completed rail link is due for completion by 2020.
The link stretches from the Liguria coast to the Plain of Novi, where it connects with both the Turin line for freight to industrial Turin and into France, as well as the Milan route into Switzerland and Northern Europe. Trains on these routes will be able to travel at speeds of up to 250km/hour. This section is 53km long, including 37km of tunnels.
Pictured above is an aerial view just outside of Novi Ligure, where the train emerge from the long string of tunnels cutting through the Apennine mountains to connect with freight from across the country, paving the way for an even better service for goods to the port of Genova and cutting time for container traffic from the port to northern Europe, saving many sea miles to Rotterdam etc. in the process.
