Transporting goods across Europe has never been an easy task: thousands of kilometers, various transportation modes, and many processes to coordinate. The answer to this challenge lies in multimodal logistics corridors—networks that integrate railways, roads, seaports, and inland waterways to make supply chains faster, more efficient, and more sustainable.

To drive this strategy, the European Union created the Core Network Corridors: nine major logistical arteries that connect key regions, eliminate bottlenecks, and move towards more integrated mobility. These include the Scandinavian-Mediterranean, North Sea-Baltic, North Sea-Mediterranean, Baltic-Adriatic, Orient/East-Med, Rhine-Alpine, Atlantic, Rhine-Danube, and Mediterranean corridors.

Multimodal networks connect Europe more effectively and strengthen its economy. Each mode of transport has its own strengths: rail is unbeatable over long distances, road transport offers flexibility for last-mile delivery, and inland waterways can move large volumes with lower environmental impact. Combining them makes supply chains more efficient, reduces emissions, and cuts logistics costs.

If there's one strategic corridor leading Europe's logistics transformation today, it's the Rhine-Alpine Corridor. It connects two crucial points: the ports of Rotterdam and Antwerp in the North Sea with Genoa in the Mediterranean. It crosses key industrial regions such as Rhine-Ruhr, Rhine-Main, and Northern Italy, linking rail, road, and waterways like the legendary Rhine River.

The economic impact of the Rhine-Alpine Corridor is remarkable: it handles around 138 billion tonne-kilometers every year (a unit measuring the weight of goods moved over a given distance).

The formula for success?
• 50% of goods travel via inland waterways (like the Rhine)
• 34% are transported by road
• 16% move by rail, reinforcing the shift toward freight trains

The result?
Faster transit times, less congestion, and a more resilient logistics system for the entire region.

The Rhine-Alpine is not just an economic engine. It’s also a pioneer in sustainability, aiming to become the first carbon-neutral transport corridor in Europe. To achieve this, it promotes the deployment of alternative fuel stations and modernizes infrastructure to lower emissions.

Meanwhile, other corridors like the Mediterranean—set to fully connect Spain with the heart of Europe—continue advancing. Once fully operational, the Mediterranean Corridor will unlock new opportunities for even more efficient, sustainable, and connected European logistics.