Author: Łukasz Kuś 2026/03/12
Changes to the TEN-T Regulation beneficial for intermodal transport
The European Combined Transport Community supports the adoption of amendments to the TEN-T Guidelines Regulation (Regulation 2024/1679), which address a number of key industry concerns. Intermodal transport accounts for over 80% of cross-border rail transport and will therefore be a key beneficiary of the revised TEN-T Guidelines. A new feature is the inclusion of intermodal terminals in the TEN-T Guidelines.
In justifying the amendment to the TEN-T Guidelines Regulation, the European Commission noted that intermodal currently accounts for almost half of rail freight transport in Europe, and this share is growing. Combined transport is also a segment of rail freight that has the potential to take over freight from road transport. For this reason, the amendments to the TEN-T Regulation adopted last year focused on adapting rail infrastructure to the needs of rail transport.
All main lines of the trans-European TEN-T network will have to be adapted to trains with a length of 740 m, an axle load of 22.5 tonnes, a speed of 100 km/h and provide a gauge enabling the transport of semi-trailers with a height of up to 4 m loaded to at least 27 cm above the track level (the recommended minimum height is 33 cm).
Border crossings
Another key point of the regulation for the intermodal industry is the requirement to eliminate bottlenecks at rail border crossings. By December 31, 2030, member states are required to organize cross-border rail transport so that the waiting time for freight trains to cross the border is no longer than 25 minutes. A goal for improving punctuality has also been introduced – 75% of freight trains crossing the border should arrive on time or with a delay of no more than 30 minutes.
The regulation introduces the institution of European Transport Corridors, which will be responsible for planning and overseeing investments in the TEN-T network, particularly identifying bottlenecks and missing links along the TEN-T corridors. Corridor coordinators are required to develop action plans with member states by July 19th of this year. These plans will then be updated every four years. Coordinators will consult with businesses, including intermodal transport operators. Member states are required to ensure that their infrastructure development plans are consistent with European Union transport policy. Member state plans will be reviewed by the European Commission.
Terminals are part of TEN-T
Another important point of the regulation is the accessibility of intermodal terminals on the TEN-T network. This is the first time that the issue of multimodal terminals has been included in the TEN-T guidelines. All seaports and inland ports on the complementary network are to have access to rail infrastructure by 2050. Each port must have at least one terminal open to all operators on a non-discriminatory basis. Terminals must be adapted to handle containers, swap bodies, and trailers and be equipped with charging stations for electric vehicles.
Member states were required to conduct a market analysis for the development of a network of multimodal terminals and prepare an action plan for the development of intermodal transport networks. A requirement was also introduced to ensure a minimum capacity of intermodal terminals on TEN-T corridors, with an emphasis on serving urban agglomerations, industrial areas, and seaports.
"Terminals with private capital participation should also be taken into account in the process of ensuring sufficient terminal capacity within a Member State. The use of private capital in the development of multimodal terminals should be encouraged, especially given the constraints on public financing. In this process, the freedom to dispose of the resulting private property, in accordance with civil law, should be respected," urges the UIRR.
The development of a network of multimodal terminals will be included in the action plans prepared by the Freight Corridor Coordinators, who will collaborate with member states on this matter. The regulation also defines minimum standards for road and rail infrastructure access to freight terminals and mandates the modernization of railway stations serving these terminals.