The decision of the French government to restructure the national rail freight operator Fret SNCF to avoid European sanctions keeps sparking contrary reactions. The National Union of Autonomous Trade Unions (UNSA) recently highlighted how this initiative will have “nefarious effects” on France as a whole. The UNSA, which claims to have over 200,000 members, is…
Category: Business
Russia grows first quarter rail exports to China by 27,5%
Russian rail exports to China have grown by 27,5 per cent year-on-year in the first quarter. In total, Russia exported 9,4 million tonnes of freight during this period. The growth reflects an ongoing trend of growing rail freight volumes between the two countries. As a result of Western sanctions, it is geopolitically important for Russia…
Three years and 100 million euros for MSC’s Wärtsilä takeover in Trieste
Shipping giant MSC recently unveiled its plan to take over the disused Wärtsilä plant at the port of Trieste and convert it into a rail rolling stock production factory. The main feature is the progressive reintegration into the new site by 2027 of the roughly 280 former Wärtsilä employees, currently under a Redundancy Fund (Cassa…
The dilemma goes on: Scan Global Logistics defends use of Russia’s rail network
Denmark’s Scan Global Logistics (SGL) has defended its continued use of Russia’s rail network to transport cargo between China and Europe, claiming its actions comply with all of the rules currently in place. With the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the company’s position has attracted criticism, notably from within the logistics industry. DSV CEO Jens Lund…
Spain allocates an additional 43,5 million euros for eco subsidies
Spain has allocated an additional 43,5 million euros for eco-incentive subsidies. With the subsidies, Spain intends to promote rail freight based on environmental and socioeconomic merit. The eco-incentive subsidies were introduced after a deal with the European Commission (EC) on the release of funds from the Recovery and Resilience Facility. Earlier, the EC wanted Madrid…
China-Laos railway moves 8 mln tonnes of goods since operations start
The railway between China and Laos has moved 8 million tonnes of goods since the start of operations on the route, according to Chinese data. The route, a joint project by the two countries, has been in operation since 2015 and is of vital importance for the Laotian economy. According to Agenzia Nova, the 8…
PKP Cargo confirms Ukraine as target for expansion
PKP Cargo is planning to expand its operations into Ukraine as the company seeks to expand operations in more neighbouring countries. A move into Ukraine would take place after the construction of new infrastructure, according to PKP Cargo’s CEO Alan Beroud. PKP Cargo, a subsidiary of the state-owned Polish rail operator, plans to move into…
LX Pantos opens rail terminal in Hungary for car battery logistics
South Korean logistics company LX Pantos has opened a new rail terminal in Tata, Hungary. It will lease the terminal from Austrian Rail Cargo Group (RCG) for a duration of 10 years. LX Pantos seeks to dive into car battery logistics, for which there is growing demand in Hungary. The opening ceremony for the terminal…
Belarus raises rail freight fees by 8% amid higher China-Europe traffic
The Belarusian government has decided to raise rail freight fees by an average of eight per cent. The country, an important transit country for the increasing amount of goods coming into Europe from China, may seek to benefit from the growing freight volumes transiting its network. As per a decision of Belarus’ Ministry of Antimonopoly…
HHLA acquires majority stakes at Roland Spedition to boost intermodal business
A new majority stake acquisition of Roland Spedition GmbH, a full-service rail and road transport operator, allows HHLA to boost hinterland links to and from Austria. The Hamburg-based company took over 51 per cent of the Austria-based intermodal service provider and now eyes optimising combined transport operations within its network. Shareholders and managing directors of…