Italy to miss RRF deadlines: more funds cut from rail freight projects
The Italian government cut 1,5 billion euros that were to be destined for the doubling of the Rome-Pescara railway, which connects the Italian west and east coasts. This was confirmed by the country’s Minister of...Read more
EC accepted Spain’s request to not use road tolls to boost rail freight
The European Commission (EC) approved Spain’s request to unlock the funds from the Recovery and Resiliency Facility (RRF) without implementing road freight tolls. The alternative proposed by the country’s Ministry of Transport is that rail...Read more
EC report: rail freight volumes grow, but modal share is dropping
The European Commission (EC) recently published the eighth monitoring report on the development of the rail market in Europe, with a focus on the 2015-2020 period. Despite various positive conclusions that may be drawn by...Read more
Can politics and business align? Policy, transparency and logistics
Politics and business can be intertwined in many ways but also conflicting. This is especially the case regarding foreign investments and possible influence by third countries in Europe, for example. The same applies to supply...Read more
Combined Transport Directive should be ready by November
File: Greening Freight Package The Greening Freight Transport Package (GFTP) remains one of the most relevant topics in the rail freight industry in Europe. Among the most discussed and awaited aspects is the Combined Transport Directive (CTD). Akos Ersek,...Read more
Ban on Ukrainian grain imports remains despite EU’s decision
The European Commission introduced new measures to try and ensure a stable flow of Ukrainian agricultural products to the rest of the Union without disruptions for the farmers of Kyiv’s neighbouring countries. The first measure...Read more
Ukraine warns of legal action against the EU if grain import ban extends
Ukraine will not hesitate to take legal action and file a lawsuit against the European Union and EU Member States if the ban on importing Ukrainian grain in Poland, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria and Slovakia is...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
Ukrainian Railways goes international with new Polish branch
Ukrainian Railways (UZ) is setting up Ukrainian Railways Cargo Poland to establish a presence in the European market. The new company will provide rail freight services suitable for both the standard (1435mm) and wide (1520mm)...Read more
Sanctions on China amidst Taiwan crisis: the next logistics puzzle to solve?
INTERVIEWWhat would happen in the case of an escalated Taiwan crisis? Would the West impose sanctions on China just like it did on Russia after the invasion of Ukraine? And how would such a development...Read more
Moldova will reconstruct critical railway lines with EU support
Moldovan Railways are ready to kickstart a line reconstruction project worth 71 million euros. It concerns the reconstruction of the Balti-Valcinet-Ungheni and Chisinau-Cainari railway sections, both important for cargo flows from Ukraine. The state-owned company...Read more
EU unlocks 790 million euros for military mobility projects
The European Climate, Infrastructure, and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA) is unlocking 790 million euros to adapt the TEN-T network for dual-use transportation (military and civilian). The money is available for proposals for studies and works...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
Polish rail association ‘strongly opposed’ to EU’s DAC implementation plan
InterviewThe EU’s plan to implement Digital Automatic Coupling (DAC) on the entire freight fleet running in the Union is receiving criticism concerning insufficient testing and financial issues. The Federation of Independent Rail Operators (ZNPK), a...Read more
CFL gets European funds to upgrade Bettembourg-Dudelange terminal
Luxembourger intermodal company CFL secured 2,3 million euros from the European Commission (EC) to partly fund the upgrade of their Bettembourg-Dudelange terminal. The total cost of the project is 7,7 million euros.Read more
Rail should be included in Commission’s Green Deal Industrial Plan, says CER
The Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER) is asking for the inclusion of the rail industry in the Green Deal Industrial Plan for the Net-Zero Age (GDIP), the EU’s new plan to reach...Read more
Switzerland: running trains in the EU might become an issue
Running trains in the European Union might become problematic for Switzerland. The authorisation procedure that allowed Swiss companies to run trains in all EU member states will in fact expire at the end of 2023...Read more
Everyone wants to reap the fruits of INSTC
ANALYSISWhat started as a far-fetched but relatively promising route and developed into Russia’s main diversification corridor is now becoming a hot trend everyone wishes to join. It’s all about the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC)...Read more
Standard gauge in all of EU, plans need to be ready by 2025-2026
Every state member of the European Union will need to have a transformation plan to adopt the 1435 mm railway gauge by 2025-2026. This was the outcome of a meeting involving the ministers of transport...Read more