13. October 2026, 10:35 o'Clock
Article: Silver jubilee for DB Cargo Italia and liberalisation in Italy
Since the first private freight train in 2001, Italian rail freight transport has changed significantly. Today, DB Cargo Italia connects over 70 locations with the European markets.
On 25 September 2001, the first private freight train ran on Italy’s national rail network. It was operated by Ferrovienord, the freight division of Ferrovie Nord Milano (FNM). The train officially opened the liberalisation of rail freight transport in Italy. A few years later, an independent railway undertaking called NordCargo was set up.
Meanwhile, DB acquired a private startup and renamed it Railion Italia. In 2009, the two companies were merged and this formed what we now know as DB Cargo Italia. Since then, the market has opened up further and become more international. The Italian market has evolved from a standalone market into an integral part of the European rail freight network.
Across the Alps to Europe
Italy is a key production and destination market in Europe and its mediterranean ports are growing importantly. Much of the freight traffic travels across the Alps to Germany and other European countries. Its geographical location thus makes Italy a vital component of Europe’s north-south connections.
DB Cargo Italia is now integrated into this network. Transport operations are organised across national borders and linked to services in neighbouring countries along the north-south corridors. The Alps remain a key hub in this context. A journey from Italy to Germany is not regarded as two separate national journeys, but as a continuous transport chain spanning several countries.
DB Cargo Italia locos in Chiasso getting ready to connect Italy and Europe.
When a full train is not required
A distinctive feature of Italian freight transport is the large number of industrial production sites with varying transport volumes. Not every consignment fills an entire train. This is where single-wagon transport comes into play. Individual freight wagons are consolidated with other consignments and transported via the network to their destination. This enables even smaller volumes to be moved by rail over longer distances.
DB Cargo Italia has many years’ experience in this field. The connections extend beyond Italy into the European network. Single-wagon transit between Germany and Italy is also organised on a cross-border basis.
Since the start of 2026, the operational management of this transit has been reorganised. DB Cargo Switzerland has taken over the management of services from Mannheim via Switzerland to Chiasso. In Italy, DB Cargo Italia is responsible, amongst other things, for shunting and dispatching and manages six marshalling yards. This demonstrates in day-to-day operations what has changed since the first private freight train: national networks are now closely interlinked.
A partnership with a long history
The link with FNM also dates back to the early days of liberalised freight transport. The collaboration with DB subsequently developed further and continues to this day. FNM continues to hold a stake in DB Cargo Italia. What began as a regional initiative has thus evolved over many years into a link with the European rail freight sector.
This important anniversary also represents 25 years of work by the people who have driven this development: staff, former employees, customers, partners and service providers.
Italy remains part of the European development
Italian rail freight transport has changed significantly since 2001. New providers have entered the market, cross-border services have been expanded, Italian production sites and its market are now more closely linked to Europe.
The demands placed on transport chains are also changing. Reliable international connections and consistent operational quality remain key prerequisites for rail freight transport. At the same time, there is growing interest in transport solutions that combine economic and environmental requirements.
DB Cargo Italia plays an important role in this context. The company brings many years of experience, a high degree of flexibility, and technical expertise to the handling of complex transport operations.
What began in 2001 with the first private freight train has, over the past 25 years, developed into an integral part of European rail freight transport. The history of DB Cargo Italia illustrates just how closely the European freight transport markets are now interconnected.
Note: No personal data is collected when submitting feedback. Feedback is processed anonymously. DB Cargo Privacy Notice
Go