Fret SNCF to be divided into two new companies from 2025
Fret SNCF will be split into two entities at the end of 2024, New Fret and New Maintenance. This is a consequence of the European Commission’s investigation into the French national rail freight company.Read more
France says Italy should leave the BRI and favour more democratic alliances
The situation concerning Italy and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) launched by China seems to interest more than just the two countries involved. The French government recently shared its views on the issue, claiming...Read more
Turin-Lyon tunnel: 3 billion euros tender to carry out railway works
A tender worth three billion euros was published in the Official Journal of the European Union for implementing railway and technological equipment in the Turin-Lyon tunnel. This tender does not only include the project and...Read more
VEGA introduces r2L system for non-cranables in France
VEGA’s roadrailLink (r2L) system to transport non-cranable semi-trailers on the rail was recently introduced at the Lille Dourges Container Terminal (LDCT), in northern France. The initiative was carried out in collaboration with VTG, which provided...Read more
Middle Corridor volumes double and keep growing
Cargo volume transited via the Middle Corridor doubled last year, with an estimated amount of 1,7 million tons. Furthermore, for the first five months of this year, cargo traffic via the Middle Corridor has increased...Read more
SNCF modernises railway tracks in Calais to increase rail freight capacity
A short but important section of the railway in Calais will undergo modernisation starting in July. The 4,4 kilometres long track between the port of Calais and the Calais-Ville railway station will be upgraded as...Read more
Ukrainian Railways gets 200 million euros from EBRD
Ukrzaliznytsya (UZ) will receive 200 million euros in sovereign loan from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). As EBRD specified, these funds will be allocated “to upgrade the country’s railway links with the...Read more
France will invest in Turin-Lyon access routes after all
After a few turbulent months, France is ready to invest up to three billion euros in the access routes to the Turin-Lyon tunnel, said the French Minister of Transport, Clément Beaune. He also pointed out...Read more
France’s plan for Spanish rail border crossing upgrade is ‘worrying’
The future of the upgrade of the rail border crossing between France and Spain on the TEN-T Atlantic Corridor is still unclear and concerns are increasing. Carlo Sacchi, Community Executive responsible for the Corridor, presented...Read more
Fret SNCF: massive job and traffic losses, protesters storm EU offices
The die is cast. The French freight subsidiary of SNCF – Fret SNCF – will be restructured in order to avoid sanctions from the EU Commission. The restructuring means that it will have to give...Read more
Another route added between Poland and France
Trains will run on a new route between Gliwice Port in Poland and Marckolsheim in France. The new route will cover a distance of over 1300 kilometres and is scheduled for two roundtrips per week....Read more
Samskip adds Denmark to its Duisburg network
Samskip is consolidating its presence in Duisburg with a new rail freight service that will be starting this week connecting the German inland port with Padborg, in southern Denmark. As a spokesperson from the company...Read more
Ambitious French freight project might be close to its end
The ambitious French railway cooperative project Railcoop seems to be facing hick ups that will lead to its rail freight services suspension. The financial non-viability of cargo services will probably force the project to focus...Read more
OTIV deploys new system for safer shunting operations
OTIV, a Belgian company specialised in developing systems for rail transportation deployed a new system that will take out human labour from potentially dangerous situations at shunting yards. It will be deployed at the rail...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
Decision for Rhine-Alpine alternative on Rhine left bank is now up to France
Pledges to find alternative rail freight routes along the left bank of the Rhine river have been discussed for a few months now due to rising capacity bottlenecks along the main line. Now the ball...Read more
Macron and Von der Leyen in China: EU de-risking, Ukraine and trade
ANALYSISThe much-discussed visit of French President Emmanuel Macron and EU Commission head Ursula Von der Leyen in China is unfolding. By meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, the two European leaders aim to push for...Read more
A rail line in southern France reopens after ten years thanks to cereals
The railway line connecting Beaucaire to Marseille reopened on 28 March to start a service for cereal transportation on behalf of French agricultural group Arterris. As the Community of Municipalities Beaucaire Terre D’Argence (CCBTA) noted,...Read more
Lineas back on track with new Ghent-Lyon rail service
After laying low for a year, Lineas seems to be back on track. The company launched a new rail service with logistics firm DFDS to link the North Sea Port in Ghent and Port Edouard...Read more