Russia is shuffling its government leadership for the transport sector in order to streamline the development of the country’s transport and logistics. Alongside the traditional transport minister, Russia will now also have former transport minister Vitaly Savelyev as the new deputy Prime Minister for Transport. The two will prioritise the development of the “Eastern Polygon”…
Category: Rail freight
Development of INSTC proceeds with Rasht – Astara and Azeri terminal
The International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) is taking another step forward in its development. Russia and Iran are moving forward with the realisation of the Rasht – Astara railway and Azerbaijan has laid the foundations for freight transportation with a new cargo terminal. The conclusion of an agreement between Russia and Iran on the Rasht…
East of England campaigners push shadow transport secretary for crucial upgrades
Rail campaigners from Suffolk, are set to meet with the shadow transport secretary, Louise Haigh MP, on Tuesday, 21 May. With a general election soon in the UK, they are approaching the official opposition Labour Party. Campaigners advocate critical improvements to the rail network in the East of England. Any improvements would have substantial benefits…
Belated EU notification delays Polish rail freight terminal tax exemption
An uncompleted EU procedure is delaying a tax exemption for Polish rail freight terminals. The European Union has to approve of the exemption, as EU law considers it to be state aid that may distort competition on the European single market. An amendment to Polish tax rules exempts rail freight terminals from real estate tax.…
UK Freight Innovation Fund encourages rail development
The UK Government has launched the latest tranche of its seed funding initiative, the Freight Innovation Fund. The initiative could encourage rail freight innovation across all sectors. The seven million pound (8.2 million euros) cross-modal cash grant is intended to help drive towards a net-zero carbon economy. UK small businesses with ideas on cross-modal logistics…
Not a word about rail freight in Dutch coalition agreement
It was a long and complex process, which many expected to fail at one point or another. After half a year, the Dutch coalition negotiations have ended with an agreement between four right-wing parties. The Dutch rail freight sector will likely look at the agreement with a sense of disappointment, because the agreement makes not…
Trilink: the radical West Coast Main Line upgrade explained
Network Rail, the British government’s infrastructure management agency, has given a briefing and update on the Trilink project. The immense upgrade is quietly underway on the northern half of the West Coast Main Line. The renewal project will see capacity benefits on the northern section of the line, which will be particularly challenged by the…
Latvia appoints special Rail Baltica secretary amid strategy change
In the midst of a troubled implementation of Rail Baltica in Latvia, the country is undergoing a strategy change. Latvia is centralising the project’s management under the transport ministry. Kristine Malnača, formerly employed at Rail Baltica, will be deputy state secretary for Rail Baltica affairs, starting in June. Malnača will be leading a Rail Baltica…
German TAC lawsuit follows political deal that shields local passenger rail
The German rail sector is heading into a pivotal lawsuit that could decide the future of the country’s track access charges (TAC) policy. Eleven rail companies are suing the Bundesnetzagentur following a planned 16,2 per cent TAC increase. According to them, a federal political deal to shield local passenger rail is hurting other sectors and…