InRail SpA, the privately-owned, Genoa-based rail freight company, has dispatched its first train in Slovenia, less than four months after obtaining the rail safety certificate from the Slovenian authorities
The train, with a train load of scrap metal from the Czech Republic, first arrived at Dobava station, close to the Croat/Slovene border. From here it was hauled through Slovenia by InRail, departing at 00.30h on 6th July, and arriving at the Italo-Slovene border station of Villa Opicina at 05.15h. From here it was hauled to the final destination, the Arvedi steel mill in Cavatigozzi, near Cremona in Italy, arriving there in the early afternoon.
The Slovenian rail safety certificate, which was obtained on 13th March, allows InRail to operate trains on the Slovenian network using its own locomotives and drivers.
InRail makes the point that it has been able to reduce transit time on the Villa Opicina-Dobava route from six to four hours and is now able to manage the whole operation itself, without any intervention by third parties.
It says that rail infrastructure investments under way in Slovenia will facilitate a higher level of rail interoperability and more possibilities for commercially viable freight services. "We are looking to strengthen and extend our partnerships in the medium and long term, with a particular focus on Eastern Europe," said InRail’s manager Guido Porta. InRail is owned 63% by Tenor Srl and 37% by Inter-Rail SpA.