New Silk Road mature enough to withstand subsidy reduction?
Now that a reduction of Chinese subsidies for Eurasian rail freight have been more or less announced, speculation on further growth has started. Will there be a standstill, slow down or on the contrary, continued...Read more
‘UK not serious about New Silk Road’
The UK is too distracted by European relations to take full advantage of overland trade opportunities. This was said by Henry Tillman, a London based Belt and Road specialist. “The British are currently failing to...Read more
The much debated truck vs train question resolved
Which is faster? The train or truck to China? The answer will depend on the perspective and hence, different parties have varying statements on the debated train versus truck question to China. The truth is,...Read more
New Silk Road: thinking outside the state
The West misunderstands the significance of the Belt and Road Initiative. That is the view of award-winning professor Richard Griffiths of Leiden University in the Netherlands, also fellow of the International Institute for Asian Studies....Read more
Network Rail Commits to UK Freight
Although the rail system in the UK is mainly designed to serve passenger train operating companies, infrastructure operator Network Rail has restated its commitment to the freight sector, just as environmental issues and climate change...Read more
Why the TEN-T should be extended to Northern Sweden
The extension of the TEN-T to Northern Sweden will create a strategic EU gateway to the Arctic and consolidate the engagement of the EU as a key player in the development of the Arctic region....Read more
Chinese subsidies for the New Silk Road on a decline
What has been anticipated for many months now seems to be happening. The Chinese subsidies for rail freight traffic to Europe are on a decline. The government has put in place ceilings on the local...Read more
Restrictions dangerous goods in Port of Rotterdam: ‘this should not last months’
Earlier this month the emplacement of Waalhaven in the port of Rotterdam was closed for shunting activities with dangerous goods. A hard hit for the hinterland transport by rail, the industry says. “We have managed...Read more
Concerns about US infrastructure extend to railways
The Americans have a way with words, and not just in their descriptive talents, either. Only in America could there be a place called Great Dismal Swamp. Only in America could a place called dismal...Read more
UK tenders for ‘medical train’ to beat Brexit impact
The British government has tendered a 25 million pounds (27 million euros) contract to move urgent medical supplies around the UK by train in the aftermath of Brexit. This ‘medical train’ should transport small medical...Read more
Japan/South Korea – Europe multimodal route has options for new branches
This September the recently tested multimodal route between South Korea and Poland becomes a regular service. It already has the potential to be extended with new branches. Katarzyna Uklejewska-Krawczyk from PCC Intermodal explains the main...Read more
UK’s hope for electrified Great Western Railway washed away?
For over a century, UK’s Severn Tunnel has been both the engineering marvel and operational nightmare of the arrow-straight line that connects London with Cardiff, the capital of Wales, and Bristol, the one-time capital of...Read more
Lifted Russian ban on transit traffic: big advantage with many questions
Russia has lifted the ban on the transit of EU fresh products. What impact will the decision have on the European logistics industry? Which products are allowed for transportation via Russia? What requirements should the...Read more
Russia lifts ban on transit of sanctioned EU products by rail
Russia has lifted the ban on transit traffic for a range of products that were previously sanctioned. This includes agricultural products and foodstuffs. The measure is effective per 1 July, subjective to certain conditions. This...Read more
Many trains cancelled, some rerouted between France and Italy
A plan is in the making to reroute freight trains on the disrupted railway line between France and Italy. Four alternative routes have been identified, some of them already in use. However, a large majority...Read more
New terminal takes cucumbers from truck to train in 15 minutes
A new dedicated fresh line between the Netherlands and Germany is in the making. In three years it should run between Bleiswijk and Berlin. Why take the train? Because this service offers a terminal turnaround...Read more