Antwerp, 5 December 2025
Lineas and FS Logistix officially inaugurated Modalink at the Antwerp Mainhub Terminal, in a beginning already marked by significant results: from September to November, FS Logistix (FS Italiane Group) doubled the number of containers transported, highlighting the importance of the new European route. From the rail terminal, the joint venture will manage terminal operations and develop intermodal services between the Port of Antwerp and the rest of Europe.
The joint venture was inaugurated on site, at the Mainhub, before Tanja Bruynseels, Deputy Head of Cabinet of the Belgian Ministry of Transport, H.E. Federica Favi, Italian Ambassador in Belgium, Erik Van Ockenburg, CEO of Lineas, Sabrina De Filippis, CEO of FS Logistix, and strategic customers, partners and employees, testifying to the strategic importance of this European partnership. Indeed, Modalink represents a fundamental step in building a more connected, efficient and sustainable logistics infrastructure across Europe.
A strategic asset in the heart of Europe
The Antwerp Mainhub Terminal is a crucial hub in European supply chains. With 200,000 m² of operational space, eight 700-metre tracks, three gantry cranes, six straddle carriers and a capacity of up to 200,000 containers/year, the site is in an ideal position to support the continent’s transition to greener and more resilient freight transport.
Strengthening North-South connections
Modalink will focus on optimising operations, expanding intermodal capacity and strengthening one of Europe’s most important transport corridors, from Belgium to Italy and beyond to Southern Europe.
Through Modalink, Lineas and FS Logistix aim to improve the connection between Antwerp and Milan, with five round trips per week. The initiative should:
· Remove more than 13,000 trucks from European roads every year
· Prevent over 46,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions
· Connect seamlessly with additional Italian terminals, such as Pomezia, Marcianise and Catania, strengthening national distribution networks.
A partnership for sustainable growth
FS Logistix brings its strong expertise in terminal operations and intermodal logistics to the table. While Lineas contributes decades of experience in reliable traction and operational excellence on major European corridors. The company structure - 30% FS Logistix and 70% Lineas - reflects a shared, long-term commitment to Modalink, and the strategic ambitions it represents.
In her speech, Italian Ambassador in Belgium, Federica Favi emphasized:
“Today’s inauguration highlights the crucial potential that strategic partnerships like this can deliver, against the backdrop of the current complex geopolitical landscape. By strengthening this vital corridor for European connectivity, we further confirm the excellent level of relations between our two countries, proving their cutting-edge technological expertise and commercial prowess - a starting point to build similar future successes on”.
Erik Van Ockenburg, CEO of Lineas, stated:
“Modalink is more than a partnership. It is a strong and intelligent European link. With this joint venture, we combine infrastructure, expertise and the ambition to create an efficient, scalable and future-ready terminal solution for Europe. This is a key strategic milestone for Lineas. Our company has undergone a recent transformation and we shifted our focus back to our core: being a railway company, providing reliable traction services and operating with discipline on both sides of the Rhine. With Modalink, we are further strengthening this direction”.
Sabrina De Filippis, CEO of FS Logistix, said:
“Terminals are essential to cover the entire logistics value chain through an intermodal approach. With our 30% stake in Modalink - and the long-term ambition it represents - we strengthen connections, improve network resilience and develop new business opportunities in the European intermodal market. Modalink’s services are growing steadily: in November we doubled the number of ITUs transported, compared to the first services in September. This initiative is fully consistent with our strategy of expanding and strengthening our European connections and terminal network.”