LKAB, the largest iron ore producer in Europe, said that some of its facilities might close unless capacity along the Iron Ore Line, or Malmbanan, doesn’t improve significantly. “LKAB is reviewing closure in either Kiruna or Svappavaara based on what would mean the least damage to the company”, they said. Because of capacity issues, LKAB…
Category: Business
KTZ temporarily bans agricultural exports to China after border overload
Kazakh Railways (KTZ) has temporarily banned the export of agricultural goods via rail to China. KTZ explains the ban by referring to overloaded border crossings. At the Dostyk and Khorgos border crossings, 180 and 100 covered goods wagons respectively are waiting to be processed. According to KTZ, the Chinese railways do not unload the wagons…
European rail a mixed bag: Polish PKP Cargo profits while others struggle
Rail freight operators in Europe are performing very differently. Big names such as DB Cargo and Lineas are in trouble, but in Poland, the annual figures were an invitation to uncork the champagne bottle. Despite the call for more sustainability in logistics and transport, freight transport by rail is not always an attractive modality for…
Operail CEO refutes media accusations: “Operail Finland sold at fair price”
The CEO of Operail, Merle Kurvits, has responded to media attention for Operail Finland’s sale. Estonian media recently said Operail Finland’s sale was a 12 million euro “gift” to the Finnish rail industry. Kurvits refutes the accusations of underselling, saying that Operail sold the subsidiary at a fair price. Operail sold its subsidiary Operail Finland…
French shippers say rail freight improves but remains ‘very inadequate’
The findings of the latest annual study by the Association des Utilisateurs de Transport de Fret (AUTF) on how French shippers view the service offerings of the rail freight and combined transport sectors confirm an improvement in the general level of satisfaction but one which remains “very inadequate.” Based on feedback collected last year from…
Ukrainian Railways is planning to launch 18 new European routes
Ukrainian Railways is planning to launch 18 new routes to European countries. Additionally, the company will seek to restore and build new multimodal container terminals throughout Ukraine. The company’s board chairman, Yevhen Lyashchenko, made the announcement during a briefing in early April. Ukrainian Railways will present the routes in September 2024. Lyashchenko states that the…
China-EU freight through Russia nearly back at pre-war levels
Rail freight transit through Russia to the EU is nearly back at its pre-war level. As Houthi attacks endanger shipping on the Red Sea, shippers are looking for alternative routes. Consequently, the volume of China-EU freight that travels via Russian rail grew by 44 per cent in 2024. According to Russian media, the volume of…
French rail cooperative Railcoop to be dissolved next week
After five years of struggles to remain financially viable, French rail cooperative Railcoop will come to an end next week. The Cahors Commercial Court shall decide the future of Railcoop on Monday 15 April, and all signs point to liquidation. The cooperative was put under receivership by the Cahors Commercial Court at the end of…
Operail Finland sale was 12 million euro “gift” to Finnish business
Estonia lost 12,3 million euros with the sale of the Finnish branch of Operail. Last year, it sold Operail Finland, the former name of the subsidiary, to Nurminen Logistics. Estonia sold the subsidiary at a price below its fair value, leading to allegations of a secret sale. As part of the privatisation of Operail, Estonia…