With single wagonload transport being one of the most fragile and volatile services offered by the rail freight industry, the 1.7 billion euros that Germany will pour into it sounded like music to the ears of logisticians. Nevertheless, soon, joy was overtaken by doubt, considering reports claiming that DB Cargo would be the primary beneficiary…
Category: Specials
‘Rail magnetic levitation can work without infrastructure upgrades’
IronLev, an Italian company specialising in magnetic levitation solutions, has recently carried out tests to apply its technology on existing railways without any need to upgrade the current infrastructure. RailFreight.com had a discussion with IronLev co-founders Adriano Girotto and Luca Cesaretti to better understand how the technology works and how it can be advantageous for…
Proof of Concept for paperless transport to be expected this fall
The deployment of electronic freight transport information (eFTI), is one of the pillars of the EU’s attempt to decarbonise the freight industry. The policy aims at digitalising freight transport documents, most of which are still currently circulating in a physical form. RailFreight.com had a chat with Eva Killar, Head of Mobility Development and Investments Department…
Last-minute call avoided tragedy in Norwegian train derailment
The dynamic of the recent train derailment in Norway is still unclear. What is currently known is that the train driver and an employee who helped to prepare the train are under investigation. Moreover, a last-minute emergency call saved the day, allowing a passenger train transiting in the same tunnel to stop and avoid a…
Third time’s the charm? DB sues GDL once again over strike dispute
Deutsche Bahn (DB) is for the third time taking legal action against the German Locomotive Drivers’ Union (GDL). This time, the company is appealing to the Frankfurt am Main Labor Court to stop the strike planned for tonight, Monday 11 March. The main reason behind DB’s actions is “the far too short lead time of […]
More GDL strikes will come, but no date has been set yet
A solution to the dispute between Deutsche Bahn (DB) and the German Union of Train Drivers (GDL) still seems unattainable after roughly five months of negotiations. Another round of strikes is in the books, but more are on the horizon, as GDL’s boss Claus Weselsky pointed out. During a video interview with German media outlet […]
GDL strike confirmed as valid, what will it mean for rail freight?
The transport sector in Germany is currently facing disruptions as locomotive drivers affiliated with the GDL union are on strike between 9-12 January. Deutsche Bahn (DB) has appealed against this decision without any luck, as the Hessian State Labour Court confirmed that the union’s actions are not prohibited. RailFreight.com reached out to various companies in […]
‘Chinese investments in EU infrastructure need to be better understood’
The European Parliament’s Transport and Tourism Committee (TRAN) commissioned a study on Chinese investments in non-maritime infrastructure in Europe and the possible risks they might entail. The biggest risks identified concern Chinese influence on EU countries which, according to the study, needs to be better understood. The main conclusion that can be drawn from it […]