The EU has taken the first step towards developing a North-South rail freight axis with Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Austria and Italy as member nations.
Designed in 2006, the corridor which passes through Stockholm, Copenhagen, Hamburg, Munich, Innsbruck, Verona and Naples, is also known as "Corridor B".
It will be run by the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS).
The project, which aims to promote rail as an attractive option to transport goods over middle to long distances, involves major European infrastructure projects.
Five other such corridors have also been created, but this is the first major step to getting Corridor B underway.
All the European rail freight corridors are expected to be equipped and connected with freight hubs and terminals by 2020.
