The Vinjan viaduct, a key piece of the new Divača-Koper railway line, in southwestern Slovenia, was inaugurated last week. The new railway section should be commissioned by 2026 and bring many advantages for rail freight in the area. The Vinjan viaduct stretches for 620 metres, connecting the Mlinarji and Škofije tunnels across the Vinjan valley. […]
Category: Rail freight
Polish survey: Road outcompetes rail, but potential for rail growth
Road transportation is outcompeting rail in Poland. That is the primary conclusion of bi-annual consultations of Poland’s Office of Rail Transport (ORT) with parties in the rail freight sector. However, as respondents point out, there is potential for improvements in the competitiveness of rail. According to ORT, the share of rail logistics in Poland is […]
Westminster venue for Freight Parliamentary Reception
Tuesday, 5 March, is the date for the annual Rail Partners Freight Parliamentary Reception. Any event on the Terrace Pavilion at the House of Commons in London has its own attraction. However, this year’s reception has added significance. In an election year, there is added incentive for the government and political leaders to make an […]
Logistics UK say rail reform bill starts a whole system approach
Last week’s introduction of the UK government’s Draft Rail Reform Bill could be the catalyst for a whole system approach. That’s the view of Logistics UK, the industry-wide business group representing members from rail, road, sea and air transport. The organisation wants to see rail freight sit at the heart of the industry. That’s an […]
Russia, China and Kazakhstan eye new transport hub near Moscow
Russia, China and Kazakhstan want to build a new transport hub near Moscow and develop a direct transport link between Chinese city Xi’an and Moscow. Russian firm Slavtrans, the Chinese company Xi’an Free Trade Port Construction and Operation and Kazakh Railways have signed a memorandum of understanding that envisions these ideas. In order to further […]
Rail freight volumes between Iran and Azerbaijan grow by 28%
Rail freight volumes between Iran and Azerbaijan have grown by 28 per cent over an 11-month period. Between March 2023 and February 2024, approximately 645,000 tonnes of goods were transported via rail between the two countries. The director of Iran’s North Railway Administration stated that rail freight volumes between Iran and Azerbaijan grew by 28 […]
CargoUnit may purchase up to 100 locomotives from Siemens
The Polish locomotive leasing company CargoUnit may purchase up to one hundred Vectron MS and Smartron locomotives from Siemens Mobility. The two parties signed a framework agreement to that end. Thirty Vectrons and ten Smartrons have been ordered by CargoUnit, whereas the delivery of an additional sixty Vectrons remains on the table. The first deliveries […]
Terminal in Alsace launches first freight train to port of Antwerp
The tri-modal terminal in the port of Lauterbourg, part of the Ports of Strasbourg, deployed the first freight train to the port of Antwerp. The initiative sees the involvement of big industry players including MSC, Fret SNCF and Wascosa. MSC will provide the containers, Fret SNCF will take care of rail traction, while Wascosa will […]
Latvia bans agricultural imports from Russia and Belarus
Latvia has banned agricultural imports from Russia and Belarus. The Baltic country is the first EU country to go as far as to introduce a total ban on Russian agricultural products. The ban will last until 2025 at the very least. Russia’s neighbouring Baltic country was one of the biggest importers of Russian grain in […]
Polish operator bills farmers blocking its tracks: 1,3 million PLN for a day
PKP LHS, the operator and manager of the Polish Linia Hutnicza Szerokotorowa (LHS) line, has billed protesting farmers over a million Polish złoty for blocking its tracks. Polish farmers are protesting the import and transit of Ukrainian agricultural products. They have been blocking various types of infrastructure, but PKP LHS is now hitting back. PKP […]