MSC and Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane Sign MoU on Development of Intermodal Hubs across Italy

MSC and the Italian state rail operator Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane (FS) signed an MoU that will see the establishment of a corporate entity to expand the freight logistics network between Italian and European ports. The new entity will oversee the design, construction and operation of new logistics hubs in Italy.

The ownership structure of the newly formed joint company will have Mercitalia Logistics, the logistics division of FS hold 51%, and MEDLOG, an MSC Group company holding 49%. The latest MoU follows another agreement signed between both MSC and FS last year focused on assessing opportunities to partner on joint maritime transport initiatives.

MSC and FS’s close collaboration in the area of intermodal logistics aims to increase terminal handling capacity at Italian ports and further shift container cargo from road to rail. Both improved container throughput and terminal rail connections will also facilitate further trade between Italy and North Europe.

Commenting on the deal Giuseppe Prudente, Chief Logistics Officer of MSC Group and President of MEDLOG stated “We strongly believe in the partnership between our Groups. This important agreement is the result of a project that began with the ambition of creating one of the most important operators in Europe, offering customers optimized and ever more sustainable logistics solutions.” He added that “reducing the use of long-distance road transport contributes not only to lowering emissions, but also to greater safety and quality of life for our employees.”

CEO of Mercitalia Logistics Sabrina De Filippis commented “The Memorandum signed today with a major international partner, confirms the FS Group’s commitment to becoming the European logistics player”

“The agreement is part of the initiatives envisaged in our Business Plan, providing for the strengthening of existing terminals and the creation of new technologically advanced and low environmental impact multimodal hubs. This will enable us to increase the volume of goods transported by train, thanks to the increasingly effective connection of our ports and terminals to the national network and to European railway corridors, consolidating the integration of sea-rail-road transport systems.”