TEN-T Corridors: What They Are and Why They Matter for Ticino

When it comes to international logistics between Switzerland, Italy and northern Europe, one term appears more and more often in official documents and strategic plans: TEN-T. It is the major European infrastructure network that is reshaping transport flows across the continent, and it has a direct impact on companies operating along the Chiasso-Milan-Genoa axis and towards northern Europe.

In this article we explain what the TEN-T network is, which corridors pass through Ticino and why importers and exporters should be familiar with it.

What is the TEN-T network?

TEN-T stands for Trans-European Transport Network. It is a strategic European Union programme that aims to create an integrated, sustainable and efficient infrastructure system on a continental scale, connecting ports, airports, railways, motorways and intermodal terminals.

The network is organised on two levels:

Core Network: the priority strategic links, to be completed by 2030
Comprehensive Network: the overall supporting infrastructure, to be completed by 2050

Within the core network, nine strategic multimodal corridors have been identified, each dedicated to a traffic route that is vital to the European economy.

Switzerland and the TEN-T network

Switzerland is not a member of the European Union, but it is fully integrated into the TEN-T network through bilateral agreements with the EU. Its geographical position at the heart of the Alps makes it an essential route for goods flows between the north and south of the continent.

This integration is achieved mainly through the major Alpine rail projects such as the Gotthard, the Lötschberg and the Ceneri, which make Switzerland the most efficient intermodal transit axis in Europe.

The TEN-T corridors passing through Ticino

Ticino occupies a strategic position for two of the nine main corridors of the TEN-T network:

Rhine-Alpine Corridor

This is the most important corridor for Ticino. It links the major North Sea ports (Rotterdam, Antwerp, Amsterdam) with the Italian Mediterranean ports (above all Genoa), passing through Germany, Switzerland and Italy.

It runs through Basel, Lucerne, Bellinzona, Lugano, Chiasso, Milan and Genoa. It carries the largest volumes of freight traffic between northern Europe and Italy, much of which crosses the border at Chiasso.

Rhine-Danube Corridor (indirect connections)

Although it does not pass directly through Ticino, the Rhine-Danube corridor connects with the Rhine-Alpine corridor and contributes to goods flows between Central Europe, Italy and Eastern Europe.

Why TEN-T matters for companies in Ticino

For anyone importing, exporting or managing logistics in Ticino, the TEN-T network is not an abstract topic: it has concrete effects on day-to-day operations.

Faster transit times: the Alpine rail projects (Gotthard, Ceneri) have significantly reduced north-south journey times
Growing intermodal capacity: more freight trains, fewer lorries on the Alpine passes, less road congestion
Public investment along the axis: new terminals, logistics hubs and intermodal platforms (Busto Arsizio, Gallarate, Milano Smistamento) within a few hours of Chiasso
Lower transport costs for those who know how to make use of intermodal transport
Standardisation of customs and logistics procedures along the corridor

Companies that plan their logistics with the TEN-T network in mind are often able to reduce lead times and costs compared with those who still think only in terms of traditional road routes.

TEN-T and intermodal transport: the opportunity for shippers

One of the central objectives of the TEN-T programme is the modal shift of freight from road to rail. For companies, this opens up new operational options:

Accompanied combined transport (the entire lorry is loaded onto the train)
Unaccompanied combined transport (only the container or semi-trailer travels by train and is collected by a tractor unit at destination)
Conventional rail freight in full or groupage wagonloads

Intermodal transport is particularly advantageous for flows between northern European ports, Switzerland and Italy, where distances and volumes make rail competitive in terms of cost, transit time and environmental impact.

The role of the freight forwarder in the TEN-T era

In an increasingly intermodal and integrated system, the role of the customs and logistics forwarder becomes central. It is no longer enough to handle a single customs entry or a single transport: what is needed is a supply-chain perspective that integrates:

Customs clearance at the border
Coordination with road and rail carriers
Interface with intermodal terminals and logistics hubs
Transport documentation and transit arrangements
Optimisation of transit times, costs and transport modes

Spedimar SAGL has operated at the Chiasso border since 1993, right at the key point of the Rhine-Alpine corridor. We know the terminals, carriers and operating practices along the entire axis and help companies organise efficient shipments between Switzerland, Italy and northern Europe.

Want to optimise your logistics along the Rhine-Alpine corridor?

👉 Request a consultation

📞 +41 91 682 95 79 📧 info@spedimar.ch