Italy launches new automotive rail corridor linking Livorno, Pontecagnano and Gioia Tauro

From 15 July 2026 a dedicated automotive rail corridor will operate in Italy, connecting the port of Livorno, the GTA yard at Il Faldo, the Automar hub in Pontecagnano and the terminal at Gioia Tauro. The service is a joint venture of Automar (part of the Grimaldi Group), FS Logistix (FS Group), GTA and the ALIS logistics association, with trains run by Mercitalia Rail on a round‑trip route Livorno‑Pontecagnano‑Gioia Tauro‑Livorno.

The corridor aims to shift vehicle freight from road to rail, easing driver shortages, reducing empty runs and cutting annual CO₂ emissions by about 4,800 tonnes. It also shortens vessel dwell time in Gioia Tauro, strengthening the port’s role as an entry point for cars arriving from the Far East and distributing them to Italian and European markets.