DB presents project for Germany’s longest rail tunnel to Czechia
Deutsche Bahn (DB) recently unveiled a new project proposal for a better connection between Germany and the Czech Republic. It entails the construction of Germany’s longest railway tunnel, which will stretch through the Ore Mountains...Read more
German top court ruling leaves rail budget with a multi-billion euro gap
Rail budget 2024At the end of last week, the German Constitutional Court ruled that the German government’s climate policy funding mechanisms are unconstitutional. This practically means that the federal government will not be able to use capital...Read more
Strikes back in the German timetable, at least 270 freight trains cancelled
Between January and August 2023, the dispute between Deutsche Bahn and EVG monopolised the interest, resulting in massive warning strikes in rail and avoiding a total lockout at the last minute. Now, Germany is on...Read more
HHLA maintains negative trends in 2023
Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA) has been experiencing a decline in revenue since the beginning of the year. Things do not seem to be improving according to the company’s data for the first nine...Read more
No new railway project was commissioned in 2023 in Germany
The plan announced by the current ruling class in Germany, the so-called traffic light coalition, to expand rail capacity did bring the expected results for 2023. German rail association Die Güterbahnen said that “no new...Read more
German port-rail project kicks off with first container train
The German project known as LOG4NRW, aiming to improve rail connectivity and efficiency in the Ruhr area, has kicked off with the first container train service. The train left Kreuztal and transited to Duisburg via...Read more
CargoBeamer halts Perpignan-Neuss service: ‘France is a difficult market’
CargoBeamer suspended its service from Perpignan to Neuss in mid-September due to operational difficulties linked to various disruptions in France, including strikes and high energy prices. “It is not always an easy country to work...Read more
Frankfurt-Mannheim railway: total closure between 1 and 22 January
The Riedbahn, the railway connecting Frankfurt with Mannheim, will be “fully closed to train traffic from 1-22 January”, Deutsche Bahn (DB) stated. The line is planned to undergo significant renovation over the next five months....Read more
Germany extends use of long trucks: what are the risks for rail?
The German Ministry of Transport presented a draft regulation to extend the possibility of using Type 1 long trucks, (up to 17.88 metres in total length), until 2026. The policy was set to expire at...Read more
Duisburg Gateway Terminal: crane system is being implemented
The Duisburg Gateway Terminal (DGT), which will be the largest inland terminal in Europe, is gradually taking shape. The crane system is currently being implemented, with the first girder already moving on the terminal’s six...Read more
DB Cargo on track for layoffs, ‘it has already started,’ say employees
DB Cargo appears to be on track to laying off or reemploying thousands of employees as part of its economic rehabilitation programme. Its mother company, DB, aims to reduce its subsidiary’s workforce by 1,800 employees...Read more
German Parliament approves key legislations to prioritise rail projects
The German Federal Parliament (Bundestag) approved a new package of legislations aimed at boosting the rail sector in the country, making its implementation official. The package includes the greenlighting of the ‘road funds rail’ scheme...Read more
Multiple project cargoes head from Italy to Germany on rail
Moving project cargo on rail has its limitations, such as the width and the height of units transported. But recently, DB Cargo had to move a number of heavy units from Italy to Germany, and...Read more
Investing in first-last mile critical for German single wagonload traffic
The discussion around the much-contested German federal state budget for 2024 and financial strategy until 2027 is settling down as the first palpable rail investments come forward. One of the most important parts of the...Read more
DB Schenker to be sold as one unit, says German Transport Minister
The sale of Deutsche Bahn’s (DB) logistics subsidiary DB Schenker is entering a new phase. The supervisory board and DB management board decided to put the large freight forwarding company up for sale as a...Read more
Germany eyes EU financing for more rail with Central Asia
Germany and Central Asian countries are amid attempts to strengthen their trade cooperation and possibly increase rail connections. A few days ago, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz met with the heads of five Central Asian countries,...Read more
Germany launches colossal network upgrade, 40 routes renovated by 2030
InfrastructureDeutsche Bahn (DB) and the German Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMDV) are about to launch an enormous infrastructure upgrade programme from 2025 until 2030. Forty critical route sections are to be renovated,...Read more
Geseke accident: At least a week before clearing site and assessing damages
UPDATEIt will take at least until the end of next week to remove the wagons from the Geseke accident site in Germany, and only then can the damage assessment begin. Three rail cranes are currently...Read moreCement-loaded train derails in Germany, killing train driver
A WLB freight train with wagons carrying cement derailed while entering the Geseke station in Germany. According to official sources, multiple railcars and the train’s locomotive overturned, resulting in the train driver’s death. DB Netze...Read more