Warning that the rail freight sector, which counts over 15,000 workers, is heading towards a crisis, today Fermerci, the association of operators in this segment of the has presented the government with a package of Ten proposals to save the sector. "We are - he explained the president of Fermerci, Clemente Carta - very concerned about the Cut of 55 million euros earmarked for 2024 to the sector railway. This decision will produce a reduction resources allocated to new wagons and locomotives for rail freight transport, seriously compromising the operational and financial capacity of companies in the sector logistics". Remembering that companies in the sector had planned strategic investments based on the measures approved in July 2023 by the European Commission, Carta specified that "these investments, for a value of €700 million was used for the purchase of 196 new locomotives. However - he noted - the cut in funds puts the implementation of these essential projects for the modernisation of the sector and the transition to high-speed transport low carbon emissions". "In addition to the cut in incentives - added Carta - a series of operational and infrastructure is severely affecting the capacity of the companies to guarantee an efficient service. The interruptions of the railway lines due to the infrastructure works of the PNRR, which will continue until 2026, have already reduced capacity rail transport by more than 50% in 2024, with peaks of 60% during the summer months. These interruptions not only slow down the delivery times, but seriously compromise competitiveness of Italian companies operating in freight transport".

Ferrci recalled that, to further worsen the situation, from 2023 until today have been the closures of the main Alpine passes such as the Frejus and the Gotthard, which restrict access to European markets, creating bottlenecks in the national logistics system. "This situation - continued Carta - is putting pressure on the entire sector. In addition, the recent floods in Emilia-Romagna, together with the crisis of the Red Sea, have contributed to a collapse in traffic railway. In 2023, the sector experienced a decline of 3.2% compared to the previous year, and the forecasts for 2024 indicate a further loss of 6.7%, with an estimated economic impact of 90 million euros of loss of turnover for the entire sector. These alarming data project similar scenarios for the following two years, putting at risk not only the companies but also the 15,000 workers employed in the sector".

Highlighting that the conditions in which operators in the sector rail freight are forced to work make the situation no longer sustainable, Carta denounced that "this creates profound hardships for the Italian industrial system and economies Local. We strongly ask the government - he said - a urgent action to avoid a disastrous crisis from the unpredictable consequences".

Fermerci's proposals to avert this crisis start by the request for an immediate restoration of the funds already envisaged, to ensure the continuation of investments in the new locomotives and railway wagons, and by better planning of rail disruptions by ensuring a more effective coordination of infrastructure works in the PNRR with operators, minimising the negative impact on the carrying capacity. Doubling is also required of the contribution for the national Ferrobonus until 2026, for incentivise the use of rail transport over rail transport the +20% increase in the contribution provided for by the Rule Freight until 2026, supporting companies facing increasing operating costs, the creation of a regional Ferrobonus, with the implementation of incentives in each Region where there is no present, and the creation of a port Ferrobonus to incentivize the railway manoeuvre in ports, with economic support from Port System Authorities, to strengthen the freight transport by train.

Finally, Fermerci asks for vouchers for staff training providing contributions directly to students to encourage the acquisition of skills in the railway sector, the implementation of of the digitalisation measures of the NRRP in order to accelerate the digitalisation of the industry to improve operational efficiency and competitiveness, the easing of Bonus payment by simplifying procedures to ensure rapid access to funds and incentives for the sector and the introduction of support for the to cover the costs that railway undertakings will have to bear for the adaptation of the ERTMS European system for the management, control and protection of rail traffic.

Reiterating Fermci's willingness to collaborate with the government and all the competent institutions to identify the solutions necessary to overcome this crisis, Carta underlined the importance that "the railway freight sector is recognized as strategic for the future of our country, both by the from an economic and environmental point of view".