European rail logistics' promising future unfolds in Innoway, Trieste
Innoway Plant in Trieste Kicks Off Production of Advanced Freight Wagons
The city of Trieste, Italy, is set to become home to Europe's most advanced freight wagon production site by 2027. The Innoway plant, housed in the former Wärtsilä ship engine plant, recently started production of advanced freight wagons.
The first two freight wagons were delivered in July 2021, marking the operational start of the facility. Initially employing around 50 staff, the plant plans to expand to around 260 by its full-capacity target year 2027. The plant is situated in Bagnoli della Rosandra, within Trieste's industrial zone, and covers over 50,000 square meters, with spans up to 365 meters long and up to 28 meters high.
Innoway Trieste is a joint venture between Innofreight and MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company, aiming to modernize European rail freight. The factory benefits from EU-funded training programs that equip workers with advanced skills in welding, quality management, and production techniques, ensuring high standards for the wagons produced.
The establishment of Innoway in Trieste is seen as a tangible sign of the region's ability to attract innovative and international entities. The ceremony, attended by over 300 guests, including employees, international clients, political representatives, and industry leaders, marked the official inauguration of the plant. Innoway also invited another fifty foreign entrepreneurs to explore the Port, Interport, and the economic system of Friuli Venezia Giulia during the event.
The Innoway plant is strategically significant for Europe’s rail freight network. It is expected to increase wagon availability, thus supporting the modal shift from road to rail transport. Its location near the Adriatic Sea links southern European ports to inland markets along the Baltic-Adriatic Corridor, enhancing logistics efficiency across multiple countries.
Moreover, the project revitalizes the regional industrial base by rehiring former Wärtsilä workers and boosting local economic development, aligning with broader European infrastructure and sustainability goals. Over 1,000 advanced freight cars and up to 3,000 bogies will be produced annually at the Innoway plant.
The transformation of the traditional plant into a future-proof production plant with a high degree of automation is underway. Employees at the Innoway plant benefit from targeted training programs supported by the GOL project, funded by the European Union. These training programs focus on advanced welding techniques, quality management, production, and cross-competency development.
The arrival of Innoway has already laid the groundwork for further developments. Over 300 guests attended the delivery of the first two 80-foot freight wagons ("InnoWaggon") in early July 2021. Additionally, the plant's company reorganization will retain around 50 current employees and reintegrate approximately 200 people on extraordinary layoff.
Innoway's CEOs, Andrea Castino and Johann Gruber, declared that the common vision is focused on modern and sustainable transport solutions that meet the growing demand for efficient, low-emission logistics. The company's choice of Trieste is the result of a regional strategy focused on leveraging human capital and synergies between public and private sectors, as emphasized by Alessia Rosolen, Regional Assessor for Work, Education, Research, Universities, and Family in Friuli Venezia Giulia.
In summary, the Innoway plant is positioned to significantly impact Europe’s rail freight sector by providing high-quality, advanced freight wagons that support increased rail freight capacity, regional-industrial renewal, and improved logistics connectivity from southern ports into the European hinterland by 2027.
The Innoway plant, with its strategic location and advanced production techniques, is expected to revolutionize the business sector, particularly the work within the rail industry and technology, as it aims to modernize European rail freight. The factory, funded by the EU, invests heavily in training programs to finance the development of workers' skills in welding, quality management, and production techniques.
Once it reaches full capacity in 2027, the plant plans to produce over 1,000 advanced freight cars and up to 3,000 bogies annually, which will significantly contribute to the finance and business aspects of the European rail industry by increasing wagon availability and supporting the modal shift from road to rail transport.
