Swiss intermodal operators on a roll

Swiss intermodal operators no longer need subsidies from their government, because intermodal is performing so well, according to operator Hupac.

Bernhard Kunz, director of Hupac, said the success was partly thanks to a pro-rail freight policy by the Swiss government that included substantial investments in both terminals and infrastructure.

Three years ago, rail freight volumes surpassed those of road in Switzerland.

Kunz said Hupac had achieved the highest growth in European intermodal traffic on the east to west corridor, and had seen a growth of 30% in intermodal traffic between Belgium, Poland and Hungary without any kind of subsidy from the Swiss government.

Hupac is planning to invest EUR 44m (USD 56m) a year by 2010 in new terminal infrastructure and rolling stock.

The moves are part of plans to increase volumes by 10-12% a year and in the next five years increase shipments to more than 1m a year.

Although subsidies were no longer needed, Kunz said government involvement remained key, and applauded the support it had given in terms of incentives for terminals as well as subsidies.
The Swiss government is currently funding vital infrastructure developments including two tunnels, one of which is being inaugurated this week, the second in 2017.
Hupac currently moves around 1.1m teu of goods a year around Europe, using 100 trains with dedicated terminals and IT systems.