The European Commission considers the European Transport Corridors (hereinafter referred to as ‘corridors’) the most important instrument for delivering the core network and the extended core network of the TEN-T. The corridors were determined when the European Commission defined the core network and the extended core network on the basis of a special methodology. In doing so, it integrated the existing ERTMS and rail freight corridors.

Rail freight corridors

The rail freight corridors (RFC), created initially by Regulation (EU) No 913/2010, serve to strengthen international rail freight services, remove bottlenecks and enhance cooperation in international rail transport, in particular among infrastructure managers. As a central hub for European traffic flows, Germany is involved in five of the European rail freight corridors and is cooperating with the other countries involved, for example on implementing the TEN-T Regulation (EU) 2024/1679. The aim is to closely dovetail infrastructure planning with the operational requirements of freight transport and create a seamless, high-performing, multimodal European transport network.

 

European Transport Corridors

According to the European Commission, the corridors are to make a crucial contribution towards delivering the core network by the end of 2030 and the extended core network by 2040. Each corridor is managed by a coordinator. Corridor forums and working groups comprising representatives of the Member States and regions as well as infrastructure managers and representatives from civil society support the coordinators. The aforementioned representatives can contact Division G 32 (ref-g32@bmv.bund.de) if they are interested in actively participating in the corridor forums and working groups.

After consultation with the Member States concerned, the European Commission appointed the following coordinators for the corridors:

• Catherine Trautmann (North Sea - Baltic)
• Pat Cox (Scandinavian - Mediterranean)
• François Bausch (Atlantic)
• Pawel Wojciechowski (North Sea - Rhine - Mediterranean)
• Margarida Marques (Rhine - Danube)
• Mathieu Grosch (Mediterranean)
• Anne Elisabet Jensen (Baltic Sea - Adriatic Sea)
• Marian-Jean Marinescu (Western Balkans - Eastern Mediterranean)
• Mario Mauro (Baltic Sea - Black Sea - Aegean Sea)

Additionally, there are coordinators for two "horizontal priorities":

• Gesine Meißner (European Maritime Space)
• Matthias Ruete (European Rail Traffic Management System, ERTMS)

There are five corridors running through Germany, more than through any other Member State: North Sea - Baltic, Scandinavian - Mediterranean, Atlantic, North Sea - Rhine - Mediterranean and Rhine - Danube. Furthermore, Germany is involved in the two horizontal priorities, European Maritime Space and ERTMS.

Each coordinator draws up a work plan for their respective corridor or horizontal priority no later than two years after the entry into force of the new TEN-T Regulation and reviews this plan every four years thereafter. These work plans are to contain a detailed analysis of the state of development of the corridor concerned, statements on compliance with the requirements of the Regulation as well as statements on the future development of the corridor. According to the European Commission, the most severe problems continue to exist in cross-border infrastructure, technical interoperability (e.g. ERTMS) and the integration of the different modes of transport.

The cooperation between the Federal Ministry of Transport (BMV) and the coordinators is close and conducted in an environment of trust. National priorities largely match those at European level. Almost all major upgrading and new construction projects under the 2030 Federal Transport Infrastructure Plan are located on TEN-T corridors. Additionally, the majority of the funds for structural maintenance are allocated to the TEN-T network.