Hannibal, a subsidiary of Contship Italia Group specializing in intermodal transport, has announced plans to launch an intermodal train service by the end of 2024 connecting Italy, Hungary, and Romania. This service, spanning approximately 1,500 kilometers, will connect Italy, Hungary, and Romania, facilitating the transport of semi-trailers, swap bodies, and containers. The journey will commence from the Rail Hub in Melzo, just outside Milan, and will include stops at Budapest's Bilk terminal and the Curtici terminal in Arad.
Designed to accommodate semi-trailers (with profiles P385, P386, P400), as well as swap bodies and containers of various sizes (20, 40, and 45 feet), the service aims to enhance logistical efficiencies across these nations. Initially, the train will run twice a week, departing from Italy every Tuesday and Friday, with a transit time of 48 hours. From Curtici, the service will depart every Saturday and Tuesday.
The traction for the Italian leg of the journey will be handled by Oceanogate (Contship), while Eurogate Intermodal will oversee the Hungarian and Romanian segments. In Italy, the freight units will have the capability to continue towards other national and international destinations, including Turkey.