The Italian rail traction provider and operator General Transport Service (GTS) has established a new rail cargo service, connecting directly Rotterdam and the town of southern Italy, Bari.
The service departing north on Saturdays and reaching its destination within 72 hours, has a capacity of 33 containers of 45 feet each, in both directions.
‘The direct service is particularly suited for cargo that needs a very fast transit time, like food and beverage,’ explained country manager GTS the Netherlands and Belgium, Nick Ahsman, who added that via Bari there is a connection with Turkey for textile imports.
Furthermore, the Bari-Rotterdam rail shuttle comes in addition to the existing services from Bari to the Italian towns of Segrate and Piacenza, indirectly connecting to Rotterdam.
Nick Ahsman stated that as road transport lacks drivers in Europe, the launch of the new service will have a positive effect on rail transportation, as well as in CO2 reduction.
“We expect further growth to and from Rotterdam because it is the gateway to the United Kingdom, Ireland and north-west Europe,” concluded Ahsman.
