The new rail planning system in Sweden is causing mayhem
InterviewThe Swedish rail freight industry is currently struggling to adapt to the new planning system implemented by Trafikverket, the government agency responsible for the country’s rail network. RailFreight.com interviewed Shad Hallam, Head of Network Management...Read more
When rail turns into leverage: U.S. ramps up international investments
ANALYSISFor years, China has been the leading investor in many countries in the context of the BRI, which sees cash flows in foreign markets primarily taking the form of rail and infrastructure investments. The EU...Read more
Europe vs United States: who is doing rail freight right?
Europe has been looking to the United States when it comes to rail freight. In the US it is a profitable business with total yearly revenues exceeding 80 billion US dollars. In Europe, state-owned companies...Read more
Munich hot topic: to DAC or not to DAC?
analysisThe implementation of Digital Automatic Coupling (DAC) for rail freight in Europe has been under the spotlight for a while now. What makes the DAC digital? How realistic can a large-scale implementation by 2030 be?...Read more
Munich report: concerning shift of goods to road in the near future
munich aftermovieOver 75,000 people from the logistics, mobility, IT, and supply chain management industries gathered at the Messe München exhibition center for Transport Logistics last week. RailFreight.com was there and talked to some of the major...Read more
Investor’s eye: rail freight financing explained, tips and market outlook
INTERVIEWRail freight is among the fundamental investment pillars for Bayerische Landesbank (BayernLB), providing a good business case for at least the coming 20 years. In an extensive interview, Christoph Pasternak, Sector Head Rail and Bus,...Read more
Major rail project in Middle East, US leverage against China-Russia
ANALYSISJake Sullivan, the White House National Security advisor, met with his Saudi, Emirati and Indian counterparts and discussed a joint railway project linking the Middle East to India via a railway network crossing Saudi Arabia,...Read more
‘State support for rail freight personnel training is crucial in Italy’
FerMerci, the main Italian rail freight association, is asking the state to facilitate the training of rail workers by funding the courses. The association also recently launched a project to recruit young people in key...Read more
Under pressure: Russia-India attempt to speed up INSTC trade
ANALYSISThe Russo-Indian relations’ development dynamics are increasingly characterised by interdependence and attempts for more engagement. The two countries share plans varying from sea transport to rail freight, joint ventures and payment mechanisms, but not all...Read more
What could Fesco’s partnership with a Chinese chemical giant entail?
ANALYSISFesco signed a strategic cooperation framework agreement for cross-border intermodal transport with China National Chemical Engineering Company (CNCEC). The quadripartite agreement also includes Heilongjiang Transportation Investment Group and Xinjiang Energy Group. China National Chemical Engineering...Read more
First Moscow-Xi’an refrigerated container service up and running
RZD has launched its first direct refrigerated container service from Moscow to Xi’an. The first convoy departed on 21 April, loaded with meat and agricultural products from Russia and Belarus, and is expected to run...Read more
CPK project: intermodal freight and military mobility will be core operational elements
INTERVIEWFrom a relatively unknown project a few months ago, the Centralny Port Komunikacyjny (CPK) is gradually transforming into a critical transport infrastructure with big plans. How did this transition occur, and what do these plans...Read more
Greece: accident report reveals chronic pathologies of Greek railways
The Greek railway network lacks basic safety and communication elements such as signalling, ETCS and GSM-R. In addition, rail traffic on sections of the central Greek rail axis is controlled manually and regionally by employees...Read more
Italian rail freight associations urge minister to unlock subsidies
The three biggest Italian rail freight associations, FerMerci, FerCargo, and Assofer, are urging the Italian minister of transport Matteo Salvini to implement the FerroBonus initiative, a rail freight incentive that was approved eight years ago....Read more
Ukrainian farmers: winning elections not the same as winning a war
FROM THE SUMMITToday at midnight, Poland will once again open up its borders for the transportation of agricultural exports from Ukraine. The destination may not be Poland, the railway routes are only available for transit services. It...Read more
Polish ministry to invest 800 million euros in Malaszewicze
FROM THE SUMMITThe Polish Ministry of Finance has agreed to invest 3,8 billion Polish Zloty (820 million euros) in the development of the Małaszewicze transhipment area. With this investment, the capacity of the Polish border facility will...Read more
Another terminal on the Hungary-Serbia border is in the works
A new intermodal railway terminal will open in Szeged, on the Hungarian border crossing with Serbia. The facility, called PSP Terminal and is currently under construction, will be up and running in September 2023 to...Read more
Slovakia, Poland, and Hungary ban import of Ukrainian food products
The Russian invasion of Ukraine is causing tensions between Kyiv and some of the neighbouring European countries. Slovakia, Poland and Hungary have all introduced a ban on the import of various agricultural products generated in...Read more
What will Macron do about access routes to the Turin-Lyon tunnel?
The debate about the Turin-Lyon railway is in a heated phase since France does not seem too keen on providing access routes to the tunnel from Lyon. Last week, 57 French senators sent a pledge...Read more