


Russian Railways cargo volumes slow down during summer
Russian Railways (RZD) is experiencing a slowdown in cargo transportation. In August alone, the national railway company experienced a cargo increase of 0.1 per cent compared to the same month last year, which amounted to...Read more
Moldova integration on EU railways: first priority is electrification
analysisThe integration of Moldovan railways into the European network is a key step to ensure connectivity with currently war-torn Ukraine. However, a few challenges make this process quite complicated. For example, the entire railway network...Read more
Reefer transport via Russia: possibility there, but what about demand?
EU products that need to be placed inside reefer containers, especially agri-food products, have had trouble transiting Russia for a long time. They were subjected to sanctions in 2014, while transit via Russia became possible...Read more
Here are 5 differences between EU and US rail freight
In the US, one seems to be able to make money with rail freight. In the EU, this would be a dream coming true. With this statement, the scene was set during the RailFreight webinar...Read more
Private rail freight sector now dominates the market
Last year was the year of the private sector in rail. For the first time in history, private companies or subsidiaries of large holdings that act like a private company account for a majority of...Read more
What does the European TEN-T revision mean for rail?
The Transport and Tourism Committee of the European Parliament unanimously adopted its position regarding the revision of the TEN-T regulations last week. What has been decided in this revision, and what does it mean for...Read more
Not complying with sanctions a criminal offence in all EU countries
The European Commission has proposed to harmonise criminal offences and penalties for the violation of EU sanctions. Before this turns into legislation, RailFreight.com takes a closer look at what this could mean for a logistics...Read more
Normal vs wide gauge: not just the width, a different philosophy
The EU is currently assessing the possibility of extending the normal gauge of the European railway network to Ukraine and Moldova, as part of its effort to better integrate the countries in the European transport...Read more
Russian Railways feels neglected by EU, urges to lift sanctions
Russian Railways has sent an appeal to the Council of the European Union with the urgent request to lift the sanctions that apply to the railway company. It has asked to be exempted from these...Read more
Switzerland, EU discuss extension of joint land transport agreement
Swiss authorities have voiced support for extending cooperation with the European Union Agency for Railways (ERA) as both sides stressed the importance of simplifying cross-border traffic. At the most recent meeting of the Joint Land...Read more
TEN-T map for Ukraine back on the table, this time prioritised
The EU and Ukraine have dusted off the TEN-T maps for Ukraine, and are more willing than ever before to invest in the transport connections to and from the country. The maps that were initially...Read more
EU digs out millions to prepare rail for military use
To improve infrastructure for military and civilian purposes, the EU has selected 22 projects and grants 339 million euros in an accelerated awarding round of the EU Military Mobility fund. Around 160 million euros will...Read more
How liberalised is the EU rail freight market?
The liberalisation of the rail freight market in the EU is developing well. In 2021, there is an almost equal representation of incumbents linked to a holding company and the private companies, or subsidiaries of...Read more
Ukraine counts on rail to increase export capacity to EU
Ukrainian Railways wants to double the capacity of border crossing with EU countries, in order to maintain its export capacity. Russia is blocking the main seaports of Ukraine, limiting its possibilities to export mainly agricultural...Read more
EU sanctions on Belarus, more sanctions on Russia
In addition to harsh sanctions imposed on Russia, the EU has announced a list of sanctions on Belarus, responding to its aid to Russia in the war in Ukraine. These sanctions were announced on Sunday...Read more
€80 million from EU for better connection to Budapest
The Commission has approved an investment of over 80 million euros from the Cohesion Fund to improve train connections for freight and passenger transport in the region of Northern Great Plain in Hungary.Read more
European railway pact signed in Paris: ‘we need massive investments’
Europe’s major railway players have called for massive investments in rail. On Monday, 33 players in the railway sector from 24 European countries signed pact to that end during the European Railway Summit in Paris...Read more
COVID Impact Tracker: rail freight lost 4 billion in 2021
The 2021 results of the ‘CER COVID Impact Tracker’, carried out by the Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER) are in. COVID-related revenue losses of the rail sector in the European Union (EU27)...Read more
This is the EU response to the Belt and Road Initiative
The European Commission will facilitate investments in infrastructure in Third World countries. Brussels is making some 300 billion euros available for this. This is part of the recently announced Global Gateway EU initiative.Read more