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Impact of Frejus and Gotthard tunnel closures: Significant costs and challenges for European freight transport operators

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The closure of the two major tunnels connecting several European countries, namely the Frejus and the Gotthard, may impose significant costs on European freight transport operators.

According to a report by Italian outlet trasportoeuropa.it, companies operating along these corridors face a potential negative impact estimated to reach up to 165 million euros.

The aforementioned source cites a survey conducted by Andrea Giuricin, a professor specializing in transport economics at the University of Milan Bicocca, the results of which were disseminated by RailFreight.

While the reported data specifically pertains to rail freight transport operators, the repercussions extend to the broader national economic system, making it challenging to quantify the overall increased costs. The majority of the losses, amounting to an estimated 32 million euros, are associated with the closure of the Frejus railway following a landslide on the French side in La Praz on August 27, 2023.

Concerning the Gotthard tunnel, the adverse impact could approach 15 million euros. The Italian-Swiss corridor experienced a complete closure for approximately fifteen days, and although transit inside the base tunnel resumed, it faced significant limitations by utilizing only one of the two tunnel tubes unaffected by the freight train derailment on August 10, 2023.

The previously estimated losses reflect immediate impacts, but the long-term repercussions could surpass 140 million euros.

This projection is justified by the likelihood that customers, compelled to resort to road transport during closures and track obstacles, may not readily revert to rail transport once normal operations resume. In many cases, this could result in a permanently lost or challenging-to-recover clientele.

 

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