Belarus finds new rail routes to export goods amidst sanctions
Belarusian Railways says it has developed a total of 40 new export routes to more than 20 countries, now that sanctions have cut off its traditional routes to the global market. The Transport and Communications...Read more
Latvia sees startling increase in transit cargo from Central Asia
Cargo turnover at Latvian ports reached 23,58 million tonnes in the first half of 2022, an increase of 15,2 per cent compared to 2021 and equivalent to 3,1 million tonnes of cargo. This increase was...Read more
Kazakhstan proposes ban of sanctioned goods to Russia and Belarus
Kazakhstan may soon ban shipments of sanctioned goods to Russia and Belarus though its territory. The Ministry of Finance has recently drawn up a directive, targeting goods subject to sanctions by the EU and the...Read more
Russian Railways reduces transit to Poland due to sanctions
Russian Railways will partially suspend the transit of specific products through Belarus on the way to Poland. The company announced concisely a couple of days ago that “shipments of certain goods routed to Poland by...Read more
Is the Russian railway industry facing a crisis?
The Russian railways sector may face the deepest crisis in its modern history. The ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia and unprecedented sanctions imposed on Russia may throw back the industry for decades. However, there...Read more
EU Parliament calls for tighter sanctions on Russia and support for transport sector
The EU Parliament’s plenary session on 5 May adopted a resolution for more sanctions on Russia and extra support for the transport sector. Rail was not explicitly mentioned, despite the parliament acknowledging that “the conflict...Read more
Finnish VR Group to discontinue Russian traffic faster than expected
Finnish state-controlled rail company VR Group is racing to terminate transport agreements with customers on the Russian route. The company sped up the gradual phase-out of traffic to and from Russia and started concluding agreements...Read more
Estonian Operail involved in war logistics? ‘These are just assumptions’
State-owned Estonian company Operail has been the focal point of discussions lately. Operail is accused of continuing business with Russia despite the war and the imposed sanctions because of leasing wagons used in the war...Read more
Despite efforts, gloomy market conditions force LTG to release employees
Lithuanian Railways are forced to release around 2,000 employees in an attempt to cope with the increasing financial losses. The company has consulted with employee representatives and will proceed to their release in a controlled...Read more
‘Look for other routes, Kazakhstan at risk of sanctions too’
Kazakhstan may be seen as the country that links Europe and China in whatever way possible, but this should not be taken for granted. Kazakhstan may be subject to sanctions too, is the worry among...Read more
Rail freight Finland-Russia: traffic to phase out gradually, private operators affected
Rail freight traffic between Finland and Russia will gradually cease after the existing transport contracts of state-controlled company VR Group end. For now, traffic is still possible. However, in the following months, this will not...Read more
CMA CGM officially the new owner of GEFCO
The deal is sealed. CMA CGM is acquiring nearly 100 per cent of the shares of GEFCO, the European automotive logistics leader. This was announced by the logistics giant on Friday 8 April. The acquisition...Read moreFinland stops all rail freight traffic with Russia after all
The Finnish railway company VR will completely stop rail freight transport to neighboring Russia in the nearby future. This was decided by the board of the firm on Wednesday 6 April. It had made this...Read moreCMA CGM possibly new owner of Russian shares GEFCO
The French logistics service provider Gefco, together with its largest customer, the French-Italian car manufacturer Stellantis (including Peugeot, Fiat, Citroën, Chrysler and Opel), is at the verge of completing a complete takeover of the majority...Read moreLatvian Railway fears severe impact from dropping volumes
The lack of traffic from Belarus and Russia, which is impossible to replace fully, and the continuously dropping rail freight volumes have the Latvian Railway cornered. According to the Latvian transport minister Tālis Linkaits, the...Read moreRail freight traffic Finland-Russia resumes
UPDATEThree days after suspending traffic between Finland and Russia, VR Group can resume it. Effective from Wednesday, 30 March, the decision to restart rail freight operations to and from Russia results from further consultation with...Read moreNew EU sanctions on Russia and Belarus, targeting export and banks
A new set of sanctions has been approved by the European Union, targeting “individuals and entities involved in the Russian aggression of Ukraine, as well as several sectors of the Russian economy”. This was announced...Read more
Sanctions or not: these companies stop transit through Russia
More and more companies are taking a stance and choose to avoid the New Silk Road through Russia, responding to the invasion of Russia in Ukraine. Transit traffic through Russia may be possible technically, but...Read more
The EU sanctions on Russia explained, what is still possible?
The EU has approved heavy sanctions against Russia in response to the military attack on Ukraine. How does this affect rail freight on the New Silk Road, which runs largely through Belarus and Russia? We...Read more