Italian transport giant sets sights on Belgium, Netherlands expansion

Italian high-speed rail operator Italo is preparing to expand its network into Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium, backed by a €3.6 billion investment in a new fleet of high-speed trains designed to operate across several European markets.

The company plans to launch services in Germany first, with operations scheduled to begin in 2028, before extending into other countries in the following years, Dutch media reports. 

The network is scheduled to enter the Netherlands and Belgium in 2030-2031. The expansion is being made possible in part by the technical specifications of the new trains, which can be certified for operation in multiple European countries, something that is not always possible with high-speed rail fleets.

Italo signed a 30-year agreement with Germany's Siemens in July covering the supply and servicing of 26 high-speed trains. Although the trains are being developed primarily for the German market, they will also be capable of operating in other European countries, Italo CEO Gianbattista La Rocca told Italian media.

For now, Germany remains the company's main focus, with the first four trains expected to enter service there on June 1, 2028. From Germany, Italo intends to gradually expand westward into Belgium, the Netherlands and potentially France, while also leaving open the possibility of extending its network eastward into Poland and other Eastern European countries.

“We are currently focusing on Germany. From there, we can reach Belgium, the Netherlands, and France if we look westward, and Poland and the countries of Eastern Europe if we look eastward,” La Rocca said.

The new trains will already be certified for both Belgium and the Netherlands when they are delivered, although Italo does not expect to begin operating there before 2030-2031.

“Our agreement with Siemens will enable us to be competitive not only within Germany but also internationally. When the trains are delivered, they will not only be certified for Germany but will also already be certified for Belgium and the Netherlands. Not before 2030-2031, however,” La Rocca explained.

Italo's new fleet will consist of Velaro Multi System trains, which Siemens has said are being manufactured at its Siemens Mobility plant in Krefeld, Germany. The Velaro platform is already used across several countries and has accumulated more than 3 billion kilometres of operation.

“Italo Holding’s decision underscores confidence in Siemens Mobility and the Velaro, one of the world’s most successful high-speed platforms. With service in numerous countries, more than 3 billion kilometers traveled, and millions of passengers carried worldwide, the Velaro sets the standard for reliable, efficient high-speed rail,” Siemens Mobility CEO Michael Peter said previously in a press release.

The agreement also includes a 30-year full-service contract covering the trains, making it a long-term partnership between Italo and Siemens.

“This long-term partnership - covering the trains and a 30-year full-service contract - is a landmark project and a strong commitment to industrial value creation and innovation made in Germany,” La Rocca said.

By Nazrin Sadigova