Milano, Italy – The first three electric portal cranes have been mounted at the Milano Smistamento intermodal terminal, marking a key milestone in the development of a major logistics hub for Northern Italy. The project, spearheaded by TerAlp – a company owned by FS Logistix (Gruppo FS) and partially held by Hupac – represents a 120 million euro investment aimed at strengthening Italy’s role in European logistics corridors.
The installation of the cranes is a critical step toward increasing rail-road freight capacity along the Italy-Switzerland-Northern Europe axis, particularly leveraging the latest rail tunnels through the Gotthard and Ceneri mountains, according to a statement released by FS Logistix on February 25, 2026. The cranes, which move on rails, will handle the loading and unloading of containers, with a focus on efficiency, safety, and environmental sustainability.
A contract worth approximately 31 million euros, signed with Austrian company Kuenz in August 2024, covers the production, installation, and commissioning of a total of six cranes. Work is also underway on related infrastructure, including utilities and technological systems for Module 1 of the terminal, as well as the railway tracks that will define its operational layout.
Sabrina De Filippis, CEO of FS Logistix, emphasized the project’s international significance, stating that the installation of the cranes “marks a fundamental advancement in the realization of the new Milano Smistamento intermodal terminal and confirms the solidity of the path we are taking,” as reported by FSNews.it.
Antonio Donnarumma, CEO of FS, added that the new terminal reinforces the FS Group’s commitment to major European logistics routes and accelerates the shift of freight from road to rail. He described the investment as “an industrial investment that combines competitiveness and sustainability, strengthening the axis with Switzerland and Northern Europe,” according to Trasporti-Italia.com.
The Milano Smistamento terminal is intended to redefine freight transport standards between Italy and the rest of the continent, becoming a central point for international traffic. The cranes, manufactured by Kuenz, are designed to maximize efficiency and security while minimizing environmental impact during container loading and unloading operations.