Sustainable underground freight transport

A new underground transport route eases pressure on roads and railways to ensure reliable supply throughout Switzerland.

The planned tunnel network connects urban centers and logistics sites with hubs for a continuous flow of goods. Privately funded and digitally controlled, it allows flexible use for all customer segments.

WHY CST?

CST: innovative solution for the transport of goods in Switzerland

Economy

Cargo sous terrain is an innovative and market-oriented logistics system. Planning and development is being carried out in close collaboration with the future users, in other words with manufacturers, wholesalers/retailers and logistics service providers.

Major industry representatives are shareholders in the company and are making active contributions to the solution concept.

For customers, Cargo sous terrain offers the option of utilising individual services or a comprehensive total package from the loading ramp through to the final destination. This also includes bundled surface logistics. The resultant infrastructure is accessible for all market operators.

Traffic

Estimates from the Bundesamt für Strassen (FEDRO; Swiss Federal Roads Office, Traffic Census 2013) and from the Bundesamt für Raumentwicklung (ARE; Federal Office for Spatial Development: Swiss Traffic Perspectives 2050) anticipate that the volume of goods transport in Switzerland will increase by up to 31% until 2050. The current traffic routes alone are not capable of handling this growth.

Unlimited expansion of the transport infrastructures is not possible. For this reason, new routes for supplying the urban centres are being sought. Cargo sous terrain is an innovative solution with an infrastructure intended solely for goods transport. It relieves the load on rail and road at critical points.

Environment

Cargo sous terrain is an important element of sustainable and environmentally-friendly goods transport in Switzerland. A reduction in heavy goods traffic on national roads and efficient micro-distribution within urban areas will result in considerable savings in CO2 emissions and a reduction in noise levels. The system will be 100% operated using power from renewable energy sources.

As part of a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), Cargo sous terrain has commissioned a comprehensive overall evaluation of the environmental impact of the project. The effects in terms of air quality, noise emissions, space utilisation as well as the health costs were investigated. The LCA finds that CST has a significantly lower environmental and climate impact than road transport, even in a future new heavy-goods vehicle propulsion technologies.

NETWORK

The first section of the Cargo sous terrain network will run from Härkingen-Niederbipp to Zurich and is around 70 kilometres long. On this section, there are several connection points (hubs). Expansion towards other key logistics and distribution centres within Switzerland will continue progressively. Until the middle of this century, a total network of 500 kilometres length is being created between Lake Constance and Lake Geneva, with branches to Basel, Lucerne and Thun.

→ all information on the CST exploratory drillings

LOCATIONS

Access to the Cargo sous terrain system is provided via the hubs, which permit the fully automated loading and unloading of the vehicles. Vertical lifts are used to feed the goods into the transportation system. The hubs are being created in existing logistics centres and ensure interconnection with all traffic systems (rail, road, water, air freight). CST is accessible to all market operators on an equal footing.

TECHNOLOGY

Cargo sous terrain follows a similar principle to that of an automatic conveyor system. Automated, driverless transport vehicles which are able to pick up and deposit loads automatically from the designated ramps and lifts travel around the clock in the tunnels.

The vehicles operate in three-track tunnels with a constant speed. The goods are transported on pallets or in modified containers. Thanks to refrigeration-compatible transport vehicles, the transport of fresh and chilled goods is also possible.

SURFACE LOGISTICS

Traffic problems are accentuated in cities. Goods transports make up a large part of the volume of traffic in metropolitan areas. Cargo sous terrain is setting up a city logistics system with environmentally-friendly vehicles for the efficient micro-distribution of transported goods in the smart cities of the future.

In the Cargo sous terrain system, the goods are already bundled in the tunnel. This means that the subsequent micro-distribution is prepared in advance. Deliveries to sales outlets and end consumers from the hub are fully coordinated, rather than each supplier delivering their goods individually.

The process

As planning progresses, the cantons will include the exact locations and routes of the hubs and tunnels in their structure plans. This will be done in close coordination between the municipalities, cantons and CST with the involvement of both population and authorities.

Cargo sous terrain is a private sector initiative. No subsidies are needed to build the infrastructure and operate the tunnel. The basis for the realisation of this largely underground freight transport facility across cantonal borders is the Federal Law on Underground Freight Transport that was approved by the National Council and the Council of States in December 2021. Based upon this law, the federal government can draw up a sectoral plan that defines the overarching framework conditions.

Construction permit and planning

For the financing of the next phase and with the construction permit in place for the first section, CST will achieve the investment of funds from domestic and overseas sources. The capital commitments were triggered by the parliamentary approval of the Underground Freight Transport Act 2021. The proportion of Swiss investors in the consortium amounts to over 50%.

The largest Swiss shareholder is Mobiliar, other principal investors from Switzerland include Coop, Migros, Die Schweizerische Post, Swisscom, Zürcher Kantonalbank, Credit Suisse (part of UBS Group), K+D Valueinvest and Helvetia Versicherungen. The shareholders include international investors such as the European infrastructure development firm Meridiam who brings its experience and expertise to the future project.

Memberships

Cargo sous terrain is a member of the following organisations and associations:

History of CST

From outline technical concept to Cargo sous terrain AG

2024

2024

In February: The federal government launches the consultation of the cantons on the “Underground freight transport” section of the sectoral transport plan.

In April: The network extension study with Bern on four route options has been completed. It shows that a future with the CST Bern-Thun-Biel network extension will bring considerable added value and positive development for the canton.

In June: The Board of Directors is conducting an in-depth review of CST’s planning to date. The project review incorporates the cantons’ feedback from the sectoral plan process and aims to optimize construction and operation.

in October: Christian Späth becomes the new CEO of Cargo sous terrain. He takes over the project review in order to lead the generation project into the next phase.

2023

2023

In January: Cargo sous terrain begins with work in the field: with the help of geophysical measurements and test drillings, CST explores the subsoil along the first section of the route between Härkingen and Zurich. The knowledge gained, e.g. about geology and groundwater, is used to advance the approval process.

In October: An updated materiality analysis with the latest planning parameters and findings on CST confirms its environmental benefits: CST offers significantly positive environmental effects compared to future scenarios with a freight supply without CST, even in a world with electrified and hydrogen heavy-goods vehicles.

2022

2022

In October: Together with the city of Zurich, CST launches the pilot project SalüBox. Four parcel boxes in Zurich are to provide information on the use of such “Smart Stations” for bundling the transport of goods in the city by 2024.

In August: The Federal Law on Underground Freight Transport (UGüTG) comes into force on 1 August. At the same time, CST AG adapts its corporate structure to the requirements of the realisation of the CST and starts the building permit phase with a lean board of directors.

In April: Thurgau and St. Gallen confirm in a feasibility study the technical and economic feasibility of extending the network of Cargo sous terrain into eastern Switzerland.

2021

2021

In December: Both parliamentary chambers definitively approve the Federal Law on Underground Freight Transport (UGüTG). CST also welcomes two new Swiss investors: Helbling Group and BG Consulting Engineers.

In September: Both parliamentary chambers say “Yes” to the Federal Law, only few differences remain. Furthermore, IWB joins as a CST shareholder.

In August: CST launches its city logistics with first offerings and hubs in Zurich and Basel.

In March: CST welcomes five new investors from home and abroad: Migros-Pensionskasse, Genossenschaft Migros Aare, Siemens Schweiz AG, ERNE AG Bauunternehmung, and Bekaert.

In January: Since early 2021, the Swiss Parliament has been debating the legal basis for CST, and the parliamentary commission fully supports the law.

2020

2020

In December: CST launches the support committee “Future Switzerland with Cargo sous terrain”, with prominent political, economic, scientific and public personalities.

In October: The Federal Council adopts the draft of the Federal Law on Underground Freight Transport (UGüTG) for submission to the Federal Assembly.

In September: CST welcomes Vaudoise, a new investor from Switzerland, to the CST shareholder base.

In June: B+S Ingenieure und Planer, the WIR bank, and K+D Valueinvest AG join CST as major shareholders.

In February: The Federal Council decides to have a law drafted and to submit it to the Federal Parliament by autumn 2020.

2019

2019

In July: Conclusion of the consultation on the Federal Act on Underground Goods Transport. The Federal Act is a prerequisite for the implementation of CST. New shareholder Berninvest joins CST.

In April: Consultation on the Federal Act on Underground Goods Transport begins. Two new shareholders join the company: Credit Suisse, Basellandschaftliche Kantonalbank.

In February: CST gains three new shareholders: Panalpina, Schwendimann AG and Flughafen Zürich AG.

2018

2018

In December: Launch of an acceleration programme for the early implementation of central system components. New shareholders: Pöyry Schweiz AG, Pini Group and Marti Group.

In March: Geotest AG becomes majority shareholder.

In January: Announcement of the investors for the construction permit phase (from 2020). These are: Coop, Credit Suisse, Dagong Global Investment Holding Group (China), Gotthard 3 Mechatronic Solutions/Antrimon Group, Helvetia Versicherungen, Meridiam SAS (France), Migros-Genossenschafts-Bund, Die Schweizerische Post, Schweizerische Mobiliar, Swisscom, Zürcher Kantonalbank.

2017

2017

In March: Formation of the company Cargo sous terrain AG. The principal shareholders are: BKW, Cargo Tube, Coop, CSD Ingenieure, Hyperloop One, Mettler2Invest, Migros, Die Mobiliar, Die Post, Rhenus Alpina, SAP SE, SBB Cargo, Swisscom, SQS, Zürcher Kantonal-bank. Beginning of due diligence by investors in the construction permit phase (finance required: CHF 100 million). Initial investor commitments (Migros, Coop, Mobiliar, Helvetia). Beginning of talks with neighbouring cantons to ensure inclusion in regional guidance planning. Assessment of the Swiss Federal Council in respect to CST legislation and public consultation.

2016

2016

In November: Announcement of the support from the Swiss Federal Council through the work on the CST legislation.In

In September: Completion of the in-depth feasibility study (“PoC II”). Drafting of a business plan and beginning of the search for investors for the construction permit phase.

In January: Innovation workshop of the Supervisory Board on further optimisation of cost-efficiency, development of a financial model. CSD Ingenieure commissioned to carry out further work on the feasibility study on the basis of the identified potential. Initial ‘Going Public’ (including with the CEOs of IG DHS, Swisscom and SBB Cargo) attracted significant attention in the public sphere.

2015

2015

In March: Completion of the feasibility study by CSD Ingenieure (“PoC I”). In September: Presentation of the results and the procedural plan at Federal Councillor Doris Leuthard. CST is the world’s most advanced project of its type by far.

2014

2014

Ongoing development of the feasibility evaluations based on the specifications from an innovation workshop of the executive board. Identification of added value for future customers, integration of the city logistics as the central element of the project to achieve the volumes required for economic efficiency (complete logistics system).

2013

2013

In September: Formation of the Cargo sous terrain development organisation in Basel by 20 firms (new additions: BKW, CSD Ingenieure, IG DHS with Coop, Denner, Manor, Migros, plus Implenia, Mobiliar, Panalpina, Rapp Trans, Streck, Xplanis). The purpose of this organisation is to produce a feasibility study for the underground transport of goods in Switzerland. President of the development organisation is Peter Sutterlüti, the project order for the feasibility study goes to CSD Ingenieure.

2012

2012

Expansion of the steering committee with IG DHS (Coop, Denner, Manor, Migros), Swisscom, UVEK/BAV and other partners; preparation of the feasibility study, in particular the financing. Initial talks with Federal Councillor Doris Leuthard.

2011

2011

Formation of a project group with the initial partners (IG DHS with Coop, Denner, Manor, Migros; plus Swisslog, Pöyry, Herrenknecht, Cargo Tube, Valora, DPD, Geotest, ecos and KEP-Dienste) under the management of Rainer Deutschmann, Manor.

2010

2010

First smaller scale financing from Migros and Manor as the impetus to develop the technical pre-feasibility study as the starting point of Cargo sous terrain.

RECORD

of infrastructure projects in Switzerland

2016

2016

Opening of the Gotthard Base Tunnel, to date the longest railway tunnel in the world.

2004

2004

Start of “Bahn 2000”.

1960

1960

Order for the construction of the national road network. Das 1960 vom Parlament verabschiedete Gesetz über ein Nationalstrassennetz übertrug dem Bund die Kompetenzen im Nationalstrassenbau.

1957