Category: EU

ČD Cargo director: “A reverse modal shift would be imminent” with ETS-2

The EU’s Emissions Trading System 2 (ETS-2) could be a serious obstacle for the rail freight industry. It would be an additional financial burden but also hamper decarbonisation in transportation as a reverse modal shift could be “imminent”. The EU’s new emissions trading system, ETS-2, could be a serious burden on the rail freight sector.…

Freight to contribute little to billions of Rail Baltica-induced growth

Rail Baltica is an economically viable undertaking. While its projected cost has grown immensely in recent years, the high-speed rail line is expected to contribute up to 23,5 billion euros to the Baltic economies. Freight, however, is not likely to contribute much. An independent cost-benefit analysis (CBA) found that Rail Baltica will likely add between…

Rail Baltica mainline construction takes off in Latvia

Latvia is commencing construction works on the Rail Baltica mainline. The Rail Baltica team and its international partners gathered in Riga to mark the occasion, but uncertainty remains about the final shape Rail Baltica will take. The construction of the 230-kilometre Latvian mainline will take place in stages. Initially, Rail Baltica will be working on…

Costly Rail Baltica to cut ambitions and seek funding elsewhere

As Rail Baltica’s projected costs are mounting and continue to grow, the project’s feasibility is in question. Uncertainty surrounding EU funding is forcing Rail Baltica to look elsewhere and readjust ambitions. As Rail Baltica eagerly awaits the results of the January application round for EU funding, discussions surrounding pan-Baltic railway continue. It is uncertain how…

Twenty years of EU membership: What has it brought Polish rail freight?

Poland, alongside nine other countries, has been a member of the European Union for 20 years. EU membership brought with it many investments, which also benefited Polish rail infrastructure. The 166 billion Polish złoty (27 billion euros) in investments have transformed Polish railways, says national rail operator PKP. PKP reviewed the contribution of “huge funds”…

ERFA: “EU’s Greening Freight Package lacks a coherent strategy”

The EU’s Greening Freight Package is the bloc’s flagship policy package for decarbonisation in the transport sector. It looks to decrease emissions in European transport by 90 per cent in 2050. However, the package is not all sunshine and rainbows. Many disagreements about its content remain and the future of the package depends on the…