French rail freight recorded continued growth in 2025, with combined transport accounting for ten new rail services launched during the year, according to information released by SNCF Réseau and the Alliance 4F.
Combined transport, which links rail with road and maritime transport using standardised loading systems, has expanded steadily over the past 15 years. Volumes carried by rail doubled between 2010 and 2025, and combined transport now represents more than 40% of total French rail freight measured in tonne-kilometres. In 2025, almost one new combined service was introduced each month, adding to an existing network of around 60 connections serving the whole country.
The ten new services cover maritime containers, swap bodies and semi-trailers. They involve rail, road and sea transport and connect ports, logistics hubs and inland terminals. According to SNCF Réseau, these services made it possible to avoid around 60,000 truck journeys during the year, corresponding to an estimated reduction of close to 40,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions.
The press material also places the 2025 figures within the wider framework of the Ulysse Fret programme, developed with the French state and industry stakeholders. The programme provides for investments of EUR 4 billion by 2032 to modernise rail freight infrastructure, with more than half of the funding aimed at increasing network and terminal capacity. New and extended terminals were delivered in several locations in 2025, including Bruyères-sur-Oise, Cherbourg, Mouguerre, Arles, Izon, Sète and Vénissieux.
SNCF Réseau reports that its role includes allocating train paths, managing traffic flows and providing access to service tracks for terminal operations as new freight services are introduced. The Alliance 4F brings together rail freight operators and shippers and coordinates industry actions linked to the development of rail freight in France.