China-EU railway benefits 
More than 500,000 teu have been transferred on UTLC ERA’s transit services across the territories of Kazakhstan, Russia and Belarus since the beginning of 2020. For the first time ever in the history of railfreight traffic this record has been achieved on 1,520 mm China-EU track... more
Intermodal network for P400 trailers
With the start of regular traffic through the Ceneri base tunnel in Switzerland yesterday, Sunday, 13 December 2020 (see ITJ Daily of Friday, 11 December), and the subsequent opening of a 4 m corridor through the Gotthard, Hupac seizes the opportunity for new railfreight... more
100% renewable resources
DB Cargo UK has successfully trialled the use of 100% renewable hydro-treated vegetable oil (HVO) as it continues to look for new and innovative ways to power its fleet and decarbonise its operations. Ground-breaking tests have been taking place at the company’s load bank... more
US railroad crowned
Florida-based CSX has improved to the highest possible A rating for leadership in corporate sustainability, as assessed by CDP, an independent, global non-governmental organisation dedicated to advancing sustainable business practices. CSX was the top US-based class I... more
VPI takes a stand
Private freight wagon holders have equipped more than 60,000 wagons with quiet (whisper) brakes over the last few years. Right on time for the timetable change on 13 December 2020, all their fleets will run more smoothly and quietly in Germany’s rail network. Millions of euros... more
Ceneri base tunnel to go on stream
After almost 30 years, the 15.4 km long and CHF 3.6 billion Ceneri base tunnel (CBT) in the Swiss canton of Ticino will be officially opened for regular traffic on Sunday, 13 December 2020. This day marks the completion of the project of the century, the NLFA (new rail link... more
Road haulage capacity rises – prices fall
In November 2020, road haulage capacity rose significantly by 16.8% compared to the previous month. The index of European spot market availability now stands at 102.8 points. However, compared to November 2019, there is currently considerably less available capacity on the... more
More hinterland connections for western ports
Effective 13 December 2020, TFG Transfracht, a specialist for seaport and hinterland transport services, will integrate Antwerp’s Westport as the sixth port into its network and also augment its portfolio by adding new connections to and from Rotterdam. This will enable TFG... more
IRU: EU strategy misses target
The International Road Union (IRU) believes that the European Commission’s sustainable and smart mobility strategy, published Wednesday, 09 December 2020, will fail to achieve 2050 carbon neutrality targets as it is based on a distorted “tank-to-wheel” approach that only... more
The values of a family enterprise 
Manuel Scortegagna had imagined that the year after his firm Scortrans celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2019 would be a bit different. The owner and director, who is also the president of the road, railway and intermodal transport unit of the association Fedespedi, told... more