Court wants Basel's Gateway project reviewed
The trimodal terminal Gateway Basel Nord, which was recognised as a project of national importance in Switzerland, has suffered a setback due to a decision of the Swiss federal administrative court. For the time being, the mega project at the Basel Rhine port will not receive CHF 83 million in federal funding as expected. In its new decision of 8 October 2019, the federal administrative court approved Swissterminal's appeal against the federal funds for Gateway Basel Nord.
In a press release back in July 2018, the federal office of transport had announced that the Swiss confederation would contribute CHF 83 million to financing the costs of the first construction phase for the large terminal. In June 2019, the Swiss competition commission Weko had voiced no objections against the joint venture of SBB, Hupac and Rhenus.
The commission commented that Gateway Basel Nord (GBN) could eliminate some of the effective competition, but that it would also strengthen the competitive position of the railfreight sector. Now, the federal administrative court has sent the case back to the federal office of transport for review.
The plaintiff, Swissterminal, a private family-owned company that is also active in the container handling business, is concerned that the subsidised Gateway project may drive it out of the market. (fd)