Published on
September 17, 2025
In response to a devastating derailment in the Gotthard Base Tunnel on August 10, 2023, the Swiss Federal Office of Transport (FOT) has introduced new regulations for freight wagons operating in Switzerland. These measures, which were confirmed by the FOT on September 11, 2025, aim to enhance rail freight safety in Switzerland and prevent future incidents. The new regulations are part of a larger effort to address safety concerns following the derailment, which caused extensive disruption to trans-Alpine rail traffic and led to the near-13-month closure of the world’s longest railway tunnel.
The Gotthard Base Tunnel Derailment: A Wake-Up Call for Rail Safety
The incident in the Gotthard Base Tunnel, caused by a broken wheel disc on one of the freight wagons, underscored significant safety risks in rail transport. The derailment prompted a swift investigation by the Swiss Transportation Safety Investigation Board (STSB), which led to the issuance of Safety Recommendations No. 183 and No. 184 on September 22, 2023. These recommendations focused on identifying the root cause of the derailment and calling for stricter regulations to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The FOT’s new regulations are a direct response to the STSB’s findings, aiming to improve rail freight safety by introducing stricter requirements for freight wagons operating in Switzerland. The new regulations include measures such as minimum wheel diameters, more frequent maintenance schedules, and optimized wagon inspections. Operators and fleet owners have been given until the end of 2025 to comply with these new standards.
Increased Costs and Concerns from Wagon Owners
While the Swiss authorities emphasize the importance of these new safety measures, wagon owners across Europe have raised serious concerns. The International Union of Wagon Keepers (UIP), one of the leading industry associations, has warned that the regulations could lead to a meltdown in European rail freight traffic. UIP has described the new requirements as shocking, stating that they could lead to significant economic disruption and added costs for wagon owners. The German group VPI estimates that these costs could add up to “hundreds of millions annually.
VAP, the Swiss wagon-owning association, echoed these concerns, describing the new regulations as wrong and dangerous. While safety is a priority, VAP argued that the new regulations could push freight traffic from rail to road, resulting in bottlenecks in supply chains and disrupting the country’s security of supply. VAP also criticized the short timeline for compliance, with only a few months to implement the necessary changes by December 31, 2025.
Operational and Infrastructure Failings: A Broader Concern
The UIP further contends that the STSB’s report confirmed that wagon owners and maintenance entities (ECM) had fully complied with their maintenance obligations prior to the derailment. Instead of focusing exclusively on wagon maintenance, UIP believes the investigation should have highlighted operational and infrastructure failings, which also contributed to the derailment. The UIP stresses that the rail system must address all facets of safety, including the role of freight operators and infrastructure managers, to ensure a comprehensive approach to preventing accidents.
Wider Impact: Concerns Over Swiss Unilateral Action
One of the most contentious aspects of the new regulations is Switzerland’s decision to implement them unilaterally. VPI, the German rail association, criticized Switzerland for bypassing broader European safety measures and instead imposing isolated regulations that could undermine interoperability. The European Union Agency for Railways (ERA) had already developed guidelines for mitigating the risk of broken wheels, but Switzerland’s new regulations ignore these broader measures, raising concerns about the potential for fragmentation within the European rail network.
Future Implications for European Rail Freight
The introduction of these regulations could have a significant impact on the future of European rail freight. While the regulations are meant to enhance safety, there is concern that the immediate financial burden and operational disruptions could lead to unintended consequences. Some worry that the focus on wagon-specific safety may detract from addressing broader issues within the rail transport system, such as operational shortcomings and infrastructure inadequacies.
As the new regulations take effect, stakeholders across Europe will be watching closely to see how the situation unfolds and whether broader European collaboration on rail safety measures becomes a priority.
