# GEODIS launches new rail freight connection between Italy and France

- **Source:** https://pelavox.com/geodis-launches-new-rail-freight-connection-between-italy-and-france/
- **Publisher:** pelavox. (The voice of shipping)
- **Author:** Helena Pierce
- **Published:** 2026-11-14T03:00:00+00:00
- **Updated:** 2026-11-14T03:00:00+00:00
- **Section:** Transport / Rail
- **Type:** News
- **Topics:** Captrain, European Logistics, France, GEODIS, Hexafret, Intermodal Transport, Italy, Noisy-le-Sec, Rail Freight, Rail Logistics Europe, SNCF Group, Swap Bodies, Vicenza

GEODIS has expanded its European intermodal transport network with a new dedicated rail freight connection linking Vicenza in northeastern Italy with Noisy-le-Sec in the Paris region, strengthening cross-border freight services between Italy and France.

The service, operated in cooperation with Captrain and Hexafret, both part of SNCF Group’s Rail Logistics Europe division, completed its first departure on 19 October 2026. It initially offers one weekly departure in each direction, with frequency scheduled to increase to two departures per week from January 2027.

The new connection extends GEODIS’ existing rail freight coverage to businesses in Italy’s Veneto region, complementing the company’s established connection from Novara, which serves customers in Lombardy, Piedmont and Emilia-Romagna.

GEODIS aims to reach an annual transport volume of 6,500 swap bodies by 2027 as the service develops.

## New route expands intermodal coverage in Italy

The Vicenza–Noisy-le-Sec connection introduces a direct rail freight option for companies in northeastern Italy, providing an alternative to transporting goods entirely by road between the region and France.

The line is designed to accommodate different cargo categories, including packaged liquid and powder products, while combining rail transport with road collection and delivery services where required.

According to GEODIS, the intermodal solution can handle up to 28 tonnes of goods per transport unit, compared with approximately 25 tonnes typically carried by conventional road transport.

The company also expects the service to provide greater transport cost stability compared with road-only solutions, particularly during periods of fuel price volatility.

Marc Vollet, Executive Vice President of European Road Network at GEODIS, said the new connection extends the company’s intermodal offering to an additional industrial region.

“With the Vicenza-Paris connection, we are expanding our intermodal offer and introducing a new railway axis to serve companies in the North East of Italy,” said Vollet.

The new service builds on GEODIS’ existing rail transport activities between Italy and France rather than representing the company’s first connection between the two countries.

## Rail operations target lower transport emissions

GEODIS estimates that the new intermodal service can reduce CO₂ emissions per shipment by an average of 80% compared with an equivalent journey completed entirely by diesel-powered road transport.

The estimate, based on EcoTransIT World calculations, includes road transport before and after the main rail journey. Actual emissions savings may vary depending on operating conditions.

The service is operated through collaboration with Captrain and Hexafret, whose rail freight capabilities and presence along the corridor support the movement of GEODIS’ shipments between the two countries.

Jean-François Ancora, Managing Director of Captrain Italia, said the new connection demonstrates the potential of rail freight to support international logistics while reducing transport emissions.

The planned increase in weekly frequency from January 2027 is intended to provide additional capacity as demand develops.

France and Italy maintain substantial commercial ties, with bilateral trade in goods and services reaching approximately €136 billion in 2025, according to figures cited by GEODIS.

The new connection adds rail freight capacity between northeastern Italy and the Paris region, supporting GEODIS’ strategy of expanding intermodal alternatives across European transport corridors.

Its longer-term contribution will depend on customer demand, service utilisation and the planned increase in operating frequency during 2027.

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Cite as: "GEODIS launches new rail freight connection between Italy and France", pelavox., 14 November 2026, https://pelavox.com/geodis-launches-new-rail-freight-connection-between-italy-and-france/