Modalink: New Joint Venture Strengthens North–South Connections Between Belgium and Italy
Antwerp, 5 December 2025 - Lineas and FS Logistix have officially inaugurated Modalink today at the Antwerp Mainhub Terminal, where the new joint venture will manage terminal operations and develop intermodal services between the Port of Antwerp and the wider European region.
The inauguration of the joint venture took place in the Mainhub, in the heart of the Port of Antwerp, in the presence of Her Excellency Federica Favi, Ambassador of Italy to Belgium, Tanja Bruynseels, Deputy Cabinet Director Mobility, Erik Van Ockenburg, CEO of Lineas, Sabrina De Filippis, CEO of FS Logistix, as well as key customers, partners, and employees, underscoring the strategic importance of this European partnership. Indeed, Modalink marks a major step in building a more connected, efficient, and sustainable logistics backbone across Europe.
A Strategic Asset at the Heart of Europe
The Antwerp Mainhub Terminal is a crucial node in Europe’s supply chains. With 200,000 m² of operational space, 8 tracks of 700 meters, 3 gantry cranes, 6 straddle carriers, and a capacity of up to 200,000 containers per year, the site is ideally positioned to support the continent’s shift toward greener, more resilient freight transport.
Boosting North–South Connectivity
Modalink will focus on optimizing operations, expanding intermodal capacity, and strengthening one of Europe’s most important transport corridors: from Belgium to Italy and further into Southern Europe.
Through Modalink, Lineas and FS Logistix aim to enhance connectivity between Antwerp and Milan, supported by five weekly round trips. This initiative is expected to:
- remove over 13,000 trucks from European roads each year,
- avoid more than 46,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions,
- connect seamlessly with additional Italian terminals such as Pomezia, Marcianise, and Catania, reinforcing domestic distribution networks.
A Partnership for Sustainable Growth
FS Logistix brings very strong expertise in terminal operations and intermodal logistics. Lineas contributes decades of experience in reliable traction and operational excellence across major corridors. The ownership structure of 30% FS Logistix and 70% Lineas reflects a shared long-term commitment to Modalink and to the strategic ambitions it embodies.
Erik Van Ockenburg, CEO of Lineas : “Modalink is more than a partnership — it is a strong, smart, European link. With this joint venture, we combine infrastructure, expertise, and ambition to create a terminal solution that is efficient, scalable, and ready for Europe’s future. For Lineas, today marks a clear strategic milestone. The recent years, we have transformed our company, refocused on our core: being a Railway Undertaking, delivering reliable traction services, and operating with discipline on both sides of the Rhine. With Modalink, we reinforce that direction.”
Sabrina De Filippis, CEO of FS Logistix: “Terminals are essential to covering the entire logistics value chain with an intermodal approach. With our 30% stake in Modalink — and the long-term ambition it represents — we are strengthening connections, improving network resilience, and developing new business opportunities in the European intermodal market. Modalink's services are experiencing constant growth: in November we doubled the number of UTI transported, compared to the first services in September. This initiative fully aligns with our strategy to expand and enhance our connections in Europe and terminal network.”
“Today’s inauguration underlines the crucial potential that similar strategic partnerships can express, against the backdrop of the current complex geo-political contingency. The strengthening of this vital corridor for Europe’s connectivity further confirms the excellent level of our two countries’ mutual relationship, showcasing their high-level cutting-edge technological competency and commercial prowess: a stepping stone upon which to build for future similar achievements”, emphasized the Ambassador of Italy to Belgium, Federica Favi, in her address.
The minister of Mobility, Jean-Luc Crucke underlines the importance to sustain the rail freight sector to bring stability and reliability for Transport and logistic in the macroeconomic context: "Modalink shows how European cooperation and strategic rail freight can drive both sustainability and economic growth. The Belgian government fully supports this initiative and is committed to creating the right framework so that rail transport contributes effectively to a greener, more efficient mobility system in Europe."
For more information about Lineas and its services, visit www.lineas.net.
For more information about FS Logistic and its services, visit www.fslogistix.com.
About FS Logistix
FS Logistix, a company of the FS Italiane Group, is a multimodal system operator at the European level, operating in 22 countries. It offers integrated logistics services, including first and last mile connections and the management of terminals and logistics platforms to enable full intermodality with road and sea.
About Lineas
Lineas is Europe's largest private rail freight company. Under the motto “We decarbonize your supply chain,” the company helps its customers reduce their CO2 emissions and offers a sustainable solution with daily, reliable connections across the continent.
In recent years, the company has developed a unique, customer-focused and uncompromising approach that is characteristic of its entrepreneurial spirit. For example, its customers can benefit from MyLineas, an exclusive tool that allows them to track their goods in real time.
Lineas is headquartered in Brussels and is supported by its long-standing shareholders, Argos Wityu and SFPIM.
