en.Wedoany.com Reported - The EURO6000 electric locomotive from Swiss manufacturer Stadler has been approved for operation in Belgium, enabling uninterrupted freight services between Barcelona and Antwerp. The locomotive was previously authorized in Luxembourg at the end of 2025, and together, the two certifications cover the route from the Iberian Peninsula to Northern European ports, traversing Spain, France, Luxembourg, and Belgium.
Stadler states that the EURO6000 is the only locomotive type operating along the entire North Sea–Mediterranean Corridor, one of the strategic axes of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T). The new authorization allows railway operators to use the locomotive for uninterrupted freight services between Barcelona and the key European port of Antwerp.
Iñigo Parra, Executive Vice President of Stadler's Spanish division, noted that the approvals in Belgium and Luxembourg open new opportunities for rail freight operators seeking sustainable and competitive cross-border solutions. The locomotive is designed for international operations, supporting continuous freight flows along the north-south European axis.
Over 100 locomotives from the EURO6000 fleet are already in service, used for international freight trains between France and Spain. The locomotive features six axles, a 6 MW power output, and traction designed for heavy-haul trains. According to Stadler, a single locomotive can haul trains exceeding 2,000 metric tons on steep gradients while maintaining competitive commercial speeds.
The platform's multi-system capability allows it to adapt to different electrification systems across the European network, a fundamental requirement for international operations. The expansion of the operational area reduces the need for locomotive changes at borders, thereby improving commercial speeds and simplifying the organization of international trains.
The North Sea–Mediterranean Corridor connects Northern European ports and industrial centers with France and the Iberian Peninsula, playing a significant role in the transport of containers, industrial products, and other goods. The approvals of the EURO6000 in Belgium and Luxembourg complete one of the necessary steps for full route operation on a single locomotive.
