After a difficult 2023, French rail freight is unlikely to fare much better this year, the head of a leading player in the sector has warned in an interview with RailFreight.com. “I think the market will be stagnant for three reasons. Firstly, there appears to be little sign that economic activity is picking up again, […]
Category: Rail freight
HS2 materials by rail target reached and doubled says Minister Merriman
Huw Merriman, the UK minister for rail, whose portfolio also oversees the HS2 high-speed rail project, says construction is on target in one important metric. The HS2 materials by rail strategy remains at the heart of reducing carbon and creating jobs and opportunities. That strategy included the target of moving ten million tonnes of aggregate […]
METRANS launches daily train to boost exports via Hamburg
A new destination has been added to METRANS’ network this January. The company has launched a daily train between Kornwestheim, next to Stuttgart and the port of Hamburg. The new service aims to streamline exports from Western Germany via the country’s mega-hub. The train is already up and running since 8 January. The service runs […]
Kazakhstan registers rail freight growth in all directions
Kazakh rail freight volumes in the directions of China and Uzbekistan reached significantly higher levels throughout 2023 as compared to 2022. Moreover, rail freight in the direction of Russia grew by 3,2 per cent. The positive developments are attributable to the coordination of the involved parties, according to Kazakh Railways. Export to Russia grew by […]
Dutch government to provide 24 million in ERTMS subsidies
The Dutch government will provide subsidies amounting to 24 million euros for the adaptation of rail vehicles to level 2, baseline 3 or higher of the European Train Control System (ETCS). The regulation is aimed at curbing the negative impact of ERTMS upgrade costs incurred by operators, which do not stand to benefit financially from […]
British legislation railblocks international rail freight market
Whatever ambitions are harboured by the sector, the UK’s eagerness for international rail freight faces formidable challenges. Tapping into the export and import market is a hurdle race, with the bar seemingly rising higher at every step. The obstacles are largely attributed to intricate legislation. The years since leaving the EU have not made life […]
German court deems train drivers’ strike legal, DB to appeal decision
The Frankfurt am Main Labour Court has rejected Deutsche Bahn’s request for an interim injunction to prevent GDL’s strike planned between 9 and 12 January. The court decided the union has the right to strike despite DB’s claims. Now, DB is appealing this decision before the Hessian State Labour Court. The German state-owned railway company […]
The rail freight industry in Portugal is unsatisfied, says study
The rail freight sector in Portugal is somewhat of a unicum in the European Union. Just like in Spain, the railway network is equipped with the Iberian gauge (1,668mm). Moreover, there is no state-owned rail freight operator in the country, unlike most of the other EU Member States. The Portuguese Mobility and Transport Authority (AMT), […]
Freight figures highly in UK Network Rail plans for Lincolnshire
Network Rail has published a long-term strategic advice study for the Lincolnshire area. The study focuses on the region’s main line, which parallels the busy East Coast Main Line. The route is of particular significance to the rail freight sector. Much of Network Rail’s document concentrates on better provision for existing demand. It also touches […]
