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 […]
Category: Rail freight
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 […]
Germany braces for an extended round of rail strikes
The German train driver’s union GDL is launching a several-day strike this week. Freight services will be affected starting Tuesday, 9 January, at 18:00. The industrial action is expected to last until the evening of Friday, 12 January, with a substantial impact on cargo transport operations. The development follows a voting procedure in December where […]
Transpennine Route Upgrade proceeds apace
It has been the familiar limbo between Christmas and New Year. Yet, even as the festive season unfolded, Network Rail’s Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) project carried on regardless. The project extends well beyond the early days of January, into 2024 and beyond. The multi-billion-pound initiative aims to revolutionise rail connectivity between Manchester, Huddersfield, Leeds, and […]