RCG, SŽ and voestalpine Call for Stronger European Rail Freight Coordination

v.l.n.r. Ernest Gortan, Vorstandsvorsitzender von SŽ–Tovorni promet; Christoph Grasl, Vorstand der ÖBB Rail Cargo Group; Hubert Zajicek, Vorstandsmitglied der voestalpine AG und Leiter der Steel Division

(IN BRIEF) ÖBB Rail Cargo Group, voestalpine and SŽ-Tovorni promet are strengthening cooperation to secure the flow of raw materials from the Port of Koper to voestalpine’s steel sites in Linz and Donawitz amid growing pressure from construction work and capacity restrictions on European rail corridors. Around 3.1 million tonnes were transported via Koper in 2025, while RCG moves approximately 8.5 million tonnes of raw materials for voestalpine annually. The companies are coordinating capacity, rolling stock, staff and alternative routes, including the use of interoperable locomotives that have cut processing time at the Jesenice border station from about two hours to a maximum of 30 minutes. The partners are also calling for more coordinated European infrastructure planning, harmonised standards, simplified border procedures and greater digitalisation to strengthen supply-chain resilience and industrial competitiveness.

(PRESS RELEASE) VIENNA, 3-Sep-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — ÖBB Rail Cargo Group (RCG), voestalpine and SŽ-Tovorni promet, the freight transport subsidiary of Slovenske železnice, are highlighting how close cross-border cooperation can help secure raw material supply chains for European industry despite growing pressure on rail freight infrastructure.

The companies are using the transport of raw materials from the Port of Koper in Slovenia to voestalpine’s steel sites in Linz and Donawitz, Austria, as an example of how resilient rail logistics can support industrial production.

In 2025, around 3.1 million tonnes of raw materials were transported via Koper to voestalpine’s Austrian steel sites.

Overall, ÖBB Rail Cargo Group transports approximately 8.5 million tonnes of raw materials for voestalpine each year.

The materials moved via Koper include iron ore, metallurgical coal and hot briquetted iron (HBI).

Rail logistics under pressure from construction and capacity constraints

International rail freight is becoming increasingly difficult as a result of simultaneous construction projects, temporary line closures and capacity constraints.

The situation can also be aggravated by extreme weather and international route diversions.

Several construction projects are currently affecting the rail corridors between Koper and Austria, including works on the Koper–Divača, Brezovica–Preseje and Borovnica–Verd routes, as well as between Ljubljana and Jesenice.

The Jesenice border station is also undergoing extensive modernisation.

While the investments are intended to improve long-term rail infrastructure performance, they are creating short-term challenges for cross-border freight planning.

Christoph Grasl, CEO of ÖBB Rail Cargo Group, said secure supply chains depend on reliable logistics across the entire route from port to industrial plant.

He said the Koper–Austria operation demonstrates how international rail freight can safeguard industrial value creation even during periods of major disruption.

voestalpine depends on continuous raw material flows

For voestalpine, uninterrupted raw material supply is essential to stable steel production.

The company’s steel sites in Linz and Donawitz require around 40,000 tonnes of raw materials every day.

In total, the two sites receive more than 15 million tonnes of raw materials annually.

Rail plays a central role in transporting these volumes over long distances while also moving finished steel products to customers.

Hubert Zajicek, Member of the Executive Board of voestalpine AG and Head of the Steel Division, said efficient logistics are critical to the company’s operations.

He added that voestalpine’s greentec steel transformation programme, which will enter its next major phase from 2027, will further reshape supply chains and increase requirements for raw-material transport.

Zajicek said competitive European industry depends on resilient logistics and strong partners capable of maintaining reliable cross-border rail freight.

Cross-border cooperation cuts border processing time

RCG and SŽ-Tovorni promet are coordinating closely on capacity, rolling stock, staffing and alternative routing to keep supplies moving during construction and track closures.

One example is the modernisation of the Jesenice border station, which is scheduled to continue until September 2027.

As fewer tracks are available during the works, trains need to be processed more quickly.

To address this, RCG and SŽ are using interoperable locomotives capable of operating across national borders.

This has reduced the time trains spend at Jesenice from around two hours to a maximum of 30 minutes.

Alternative routes have also been prepared for longer closures, including routing via the Spielfeld-Straß border station.

Ernest Gortan, CEO of SŽ-Tovorni promet, said challenging operating conditions make closer cooperation between European railways even more important.

He said early planning, flexible solutions and operational coordination have enabled the partners to continue supplying voestalpine reliably despite construction work and restrictions.

Companies call for European approach to rail freight infrastructure

The three companies said the Koper–Austria corridor highlights a wider structural challenge for European logistics.

Although industrial supply chains operate across national borders, infrastructure planning, construction schedules and many operating frameworks remain primarily organised at national level.

As a result, capacity restrictions or construction projects in one country can directly affect industrial customers elsewhere in Europe.

ÖBB Rail Cargo Group is calling for more coordinated European infrastructure planning, harmonised technical standards, simpler border procedures and greater digitalisation.

The company said these measures would improve planning certainty, strengthen supply security and increase the efficiency of rail freight.

Grasl said operating a train across Europe should become as straightforward as operating a truck, supported by interoperable infrastructure, digital standards, fewer administrative barriers and fair competitive conditions.

About ÖBB Rail Cargo Group

ÖBB Rail Cargo Group is the freight transport division of ÖBB and operates across Europe and into Asia.

The company is present in 18 countries and operates its own traction services in 14 countries.

Its workforce of 5,846 logistics professionals handles approximately 407,497 freight trains each year, equivalent to around 1,116 trains per day.

In 2025, RCG generated revenue of approximately €2.09 billion.

About voestalpine

voestalpine is an international steel and technology group operating around 500 companies and locations in more than 50 countries.

The company supplies products and systems to sectors including automotive, machinery, aerospace and energy, and is also active in railway systems and special sections.

In the 2025/26 financial year, voestalpine generated revenue of approximately €15.1 billion and EBITDA of around €1.5 billion.

The Group employs approximately 48,800 people worldwide.

About SŽ-Tovorni promet

SŽ-Tovorni promet provides freight transport and logistics services in Slovenia and international markets.

The company operates its own traction services in Slovenia, Croatia and Austria and works with a network of partner carriers to provide conventional and combined transport services.

ÖBB. Today. Tomorrow. Together.

ÖBB has been shaping mobility for over 100 years. As a comprehensive mobility and logistics service provider, ÖBB transported 559 million passengers and around 79 million tonnes of goods to their destinations in a climate-friendly friendly manner in 2025. This is because 100% of the electrical power for trains and stations comes from renewable energy. With 94.1 percent punctuality in passenger transport, ÖBB is one of the most punctual railways in Europe. With capital expenditure of more than five billion euros annually in the railway infrastructure and fleet, ÖBB is building the railway system of the future. Across the Group, more than 48,000 bus and rail employees and around 2,145 apprentices ensure that more than 1.5 million passengers reach their destinations safely every day. ÖBB is the backbone of public transport and, as Austria’s largest climate protection company in the mobility and logistics sector, it brings people and goods to their destinations safely and in an environmentally conscious manner. ÖBB-Holding AG is responsible for strategic control of the company.

Media Contact:

Julia Krutzler
ÖBB-Holding AG, Corporate Communications/Newsroom
Spokesperson
Telefon +43 664 888 36 400
julia.krutzler@oebb.at
www.oebb.at

SOURCE: ÖBB