Kazakhstan unlocks TIR’s potential to combat illicit trade
The Kazakh government has taken the decisive step of prioritising TIR transports at the Kazakh borders, with TIR electronic pre-declaration green lanes scheduled to open at the Nur Zholy border crossing point with China. This latest move by the Kazakhstan authorities is... more
Via Trans-Siberian from Japan to Europe in just 11 days
About a third of all traffic on the Trans-Siberian Railway consists of freight on routes to and from Japan. Last year a record volume of more than 45 million t of freight was transported, while container shipments are growing at a faster rate of more than 11%. "We are... more
New train service links the Netherlands with Scandinavia
Cabooter, Westerman and DB Cargo are joining forces and have jointly launched a new intermodal link between Venlo (the Netherlands) and Scandinavia. To begin with, the new train offers three direct services per week between Venlo and Malmö and Norrköping in Sweden. From... more
Rhine Valley Rail to expand Rotterdam connections
The CMA CGM group plans to launch the Rhine Valley Rail, a new rail service connecting the port of Rotterdam with the German hinterland. The new train service will officially start on 18 October 2019 and will be operated in cooperation with Transfracht (TFG). A total of six... more
Silent trucks allow undisturbed sleep in Helsinki
The Finnish haulier Kuuskuljetus is operating Finland’s first LNG truck with a plug-in battery electro-hydraulic crane from Scania. The unusual combination was selected in view of Kuuskuljetus’ transport assignments for the Renta Group. Renta supplies scaffolding in the... more
Lowest number of trucks crossing the Swiss Alps since 1999
In H1/2019, the number of trucks driving across the Swiss Alps declined by 2.5%. According to the Swiss Federal Office of Transport (FOT), the trend towards fewer truck journeys continues. Because of construction works, the railways also transported fewer goods (-3.7%).... more
Funds for upgrading Ukraine's rail tracks
The European bank for reconstruction and development (EBRD) is supporting the further integration of the Ukraine’s domestic railway system into international networks by investing up to USD 100 million in bonds issued by Ukraine Railways (UZ). The invested funds will be used... more
Increasing the number of freight trains within Belgium
Lineas, which is based in Belgium, is doubling the capacity on its trains in and out of Antwerp. The private railfreight operator is raising capacities on the Belgian lines from Antwerp to La Louvière, Genk and Zeebrugge, and is also establishing new connections to Terneuzen and... more
Liquid gas replaces diesel for port vehicles
Effective immediately, commercial vehicles of the port of Duisburg (Germany) can fill up with liquefied natural gas (LNG). The port and the energy trading company RWE Supply & Trading have together inaugurated the first LNG refuelling station in the port. The mobile... more
New intermodal hub in Texas for Watco's short line
The American industrial company Enviro Tech Chemical Services is investing USD 8 million in a new chemical manufacturing facility in Levelland, Texas (USA). The new facility will be served by Watco’s short line railroad Lubbock and Western Railway. The 260 km line... more