New 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
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
EU imposes sanctions on Russia, what do they mean for rail freight?
The EU has officially adopted sanctions against Russia after the invasion of Ukraine. The European Council decided to enforce “massive and severe consequences” for Russia that can be summarised in five main pillars: financial sector,...Read more
Persian Gulf-Black Sea corridor: why does Iran need a new gateway?
Iran is negotiating with Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, and Greece to launch a new multimodal corridor. The Persian Gulf-Black Sea project will connect the two regions using rail and sea links. It is an ambitious...Read more
Belarus ready to ban rail traffic coming from Lithuania
The Belarussian government is ready to respond to Lithuania’s ban on transporting Belarusian potash fertilisers through its territory. The “harsh response measures”, as Prime Minister of Belarus Roman Golovchenko described them, could see the ban...Read more
Russia-Ukraine crisis: is this the armageddon of Europe-China rail?
ANALYSISScenarios around the consequences of an armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine have come and gone lately. So far, Russia is not buckling under Western pressure while the US and EU are ready to impose...Read moreLithuanian Railways stops Belarusian fertilisers due to US sanctions
Lithuanian Railways has concluded a resolution concerning the transport of Belarusian fertilisers by the state company Belaruskalij. As of 1 February, the Lithuanian operator will not transport the product since it terminated the contract that...Read more
China-EU-US trade war worsens, is your export still allowed?
If you are active on the New Silk Road, you need to be aware of possible sanctions, as the list of sanctioned goods, persons and transactions is growing. Disagreements between China on the one hand,...Read more
Lithuania fumbles with transport Belarusian fertilisers after US sanctions
The new US sanctions on Belarus have led to fierce discussions about the rail transport of Belarusian potash fertilisers, which has until now continued after 8 December, when the sanctions went into effect. The sanctions...Read more
Sanctions remain biggest hurdle for eastbound train through Ukraine
When the tracking seal for rail freight transit through Russia is applied at the Ukrainian border, eastbound traffic via this route can finally take off. This is the expectation of RTSB, which is an active...Read more
Doing business with Iran not impossible
With the US sanctions on Iran reimposed, European firms must analyse their transaction before putting it on a train to Iran. However, there are ways to deal with these limitations. Sebastiaan Bennink and Yvo Amar,...Read more