Cargo sous terrain

Name

Cargo sous terrain

Legal name

Cargo sous terrain AG

Website

https://cst.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Underground Freight Transport Infrastructure

NAICS

Freight Transportation Arrangement (488510), Line-Haul Railroads (482111)

SIC

Arrangement Of Transportation Of Freight & Cargo (4731), Railroads, Line-Haul Operating (4011)

akta.pro primary industry

Project Cargo Packing, Crating & Securing (Lashing/Dunnage) (TLAIAKAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Rail Consolidation & Deconsolidation (LCL/Groupage) (TLACADAD)

Keywords

• Underground freight transport
• Funicular logistics technology
• Tunnel cargo network
• Automated freight logistics
• Urban last-mile delivery

Headquarters

HQ city

Olten

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Freight transportation fees: CST will generate revenue by providing automated underground freight transportation services to logistics companies, retailers, and shippers. Users pay for transporting goods through the tunnel network between logistics hubs and urban distribution centers. The system is privately financed, with the first section between Härkingen and Zurich targeted for 2031 opening.
2. Hub access and logistics services: Revenue from providing access to underground logistics hubs and associated value-added services such as last-mile distribution coordination, storage, and cargo handling at hub locations.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Cargo sous terrain (CST) is developing an automated underground logistics system for Switzerland using funicular/cable-car technology in tunnels for sustainable freight transport between logistics hubs and urban distribution centers. The system is designed to decongest cities, reduce CO2 emissions, and conserve urban surface space, with the first planned section between Härkingen and Zurich targeted for 2031 opening. The offering includes the tunnel network itself, urban distribution hubs, and complementary last-mile solutions such as the SalüBox pilot.

Product overview

Cargo sous terrain (CST) is developing a comprehensive underground digital logistics system for Switzerland. The core offering is an automated underground tunnel network that enables sustainable, CO2-reducing freight transport, with the first planned section running between Härkingen and Zurich. The system utilizes a funicular/ropeway-based transport technology that replaced the originally planned autonomous tunnel vehicles, chosen for its proven reliability, lower maintenance requirements, and precise controllability. The product portfolio includes the main tunnel infrastructure, urban distribution hubs for fine city distribution ('Feinverteilung'), the SalüBox pilot project for last-mile urban logistics, and an optional CO2 pipeline integration capability for carbon capture and storage aligned with Switzerland's Climate Strategy 2050.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Underground Logistics System (Tunnel Network) Automated underground tunnel network connecting Swiss cities for sustainable freight transport between logistics hubs and urban distribution centers, sold to logistics companies, retailers, and shippers as a freight transportation service.
• Urban Logistics Hubs (Feinverteilung) Underground distribution hubs enabling transfer, consolidation, and fine distribution of goods within Swiss urban areas as part of the CST network's last-mile capabilities.
• SalüBox Innovative urban logistics solution for last-mile delivery operating in pilot phase in Zurich, handling the final delivery step before the underground tunnel network becomes operational.
• CO2 Pipeline Integration (CCS Value Chain) Optional CO2 pipeline integration with the CST tunnel network enabling transport of captured CO2 from industrial point sources to storage sites as part of a Carbon Capture and Storage value chain.

Quantifiable outcome

• Reduces Zurich freight traffic by 5,200 km per day
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered supporting.

• CST CCS Feasibility Study Partners (Bundesamt für Umwelt, Kanton Basel-Stadt, VBSA, SVGW, Rhenus, Schweizerische Rheinhäfen, IWB, Ramboll, Airfix)supportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 February 2025CST led a feasibility study on CO₂ capture and storage (CCS) in cooperation with industrial partners, associations, and public authorities. Partners examined technical and economic aspects of transporting captured CO₂ from Basel to storage in Norway via pipeline.
• Geotest AGsupportingTechnology or Integration · 26 July 2024Geologist Leila Iseli from Geotest AG collaborated with CST tunnel expert Florian Fischer on geological investigations through exploration drilling along the first section, presented in video format.
• Canton of BernsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 April 2024Canton Bern collaborated with CST to study different route variants for a network extension, examining feasibility and profitability of four options, defining possible hub sites, and demonstrating potential.
• abcd-horizon consortium (aventron, BG Ingénieurs Conseils, dhp technology)supportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 August 2023A consortium was formed to install innovative photovoltaic panels on 45 highway rest areas in French-speaking Switzerland, Valais, and Bern cantons. CST participates in this infrastructure integration initiative.
• ZHAW and InnosuissesupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 January 2022CST participates in an Innosuisse-funded research project led by ZHAW, developing the 'Smart Urban Multihub Concept' — a logistics concept to sustainably reduce traffic through intelligent city distribution hubs.
• SAPsupportingTechnology or Integration · 21 March 2017SAP joined CST as a technology partner, contributing expertise in IoT solutions and cloud platforms through its Leonardo portfolio. SAP brought software and digital integration know-how to the project.
• Hyperloop OnesupportingTechnology or Integration · 12 May 2016Hyperloop One, a California-based high-technology company, partnered with CST as the first international partner, investing in the further design and technological development of the CST project.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Magway: UK-based company developing a maglev-based underground freight pipeline system for parcel and pallet transport. Most directly comparable peer because it pursues the same conceptual thesis as CST: automated, pipe/tunnel-based freight transport as an alternative to road freight.
• Hupac: Swiss intermodal freight operator running combined road/rail freight through the Alps. Comparable as a Swiss-headquartered freight operator that would be both a potential CST customer and a competing surface-mode alternative for shippers.
• BLS Cargo: Swiss rail freight operator providing line-haul freight services across Switzerland, including through Alpine corridors. Comparable rail-based freight mode serving Swiss shippers, and a potential interface partner for CST tunnel handoffs.

Broad incumbents

• Swiss Federal Railways Cargo (SBB Cargo): Largest Swiss rail freight operator and the dominant incumbent for line-haul freight across Switzerland. Highly comparable in target customer base (Swiss shippers and logistics companies) and freight mode (rail), though operating on the surface network.
• DB Cargo: Europe's largest rail freight operator, part of Deutsche Bahn. Comparable as a major rail freight incumbent with European scale and a similar line-haul operating model.
• Kuehne+Nagel: Global freight forwarder and contract logistics provider with significant Swiss operations. Comparable as a logistics services intermediary that could be both a customer and a competitor for end-to-end freight movement in Switzerland.
• DHL Group: Global logistics and freight company operating across freight forwarding, supply chain, and parcel services. Comparable as a logistics services provider that would interface with any new freight infrastructure in Switzerland.
• DSV A/S: Global freight forwarder with strong European and Swiss presence, providing road, air, and sea freight forwarding. Comparable as a freight transportation arrangement competitor and potential CST customer for tunnel throughput.

Emerging players

• The Boring Company: US-based tunnel infrastructure company building low-cost underground transportation tunnels. Comparable in tunnel-infrastructure development philosophy and cost-reduction engineering, though primarily focused on passenger vehicles rather than freight.

Regional players

• Swiss Post: Swiss national postal and logistics services provider with significant parcel and last-mile operations. Comparable as a Switzerland-based logistics provider with urban distribution needs that could benefit from CST's urban fine distribution concept.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cargo-sous-terrain
• Xx.com/cstcargo

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cargo sous terrain