Europe

A working meeting was held in Izmail to discuss the current situation in the Danube region and Ukraine’s Black Sea ports, as well as overcoming the logistical challenges posed by Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine. The discussion was attended by Andriy Kashuba, Deputy Minister for Communities and Territories Development of Ukraine; Alain Baron, a representative of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport (DG MOVE); and representatives of the Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority, Izmail Commercial Seaport, Ukrzaliznytsia, and the Ukrainian Danube Shipping Company.

The City of Rotterdam and the Port of Rotterdam Authority have approved the Port Vision 2050 strategy, which aims to make the port the most competitive, sustainable, and reliable port in Europe by mid-century. The document was developed jointly with the Province of South Holland, the Dutch central government, and the port’s business community, as well as with the participation of over 100 companies, government agencies, research organizations, regional residents, and young people. The Rotterdam City Council officially endorsed Port Vision 2050 on December 18, 2025.

ÖBB has reopened the section between Hall in Tirol and Innsbruck main station following the completion of the new Rauchmühl Bridge. Passenger and freight services resumed early Friday morning after the structure passed a load test using two heavy freight locomotives with a combined weight of more than 160 tonnes.

According to the State Statistics Service of Ukraine, freight transportation volume in the country in 2025 amounted to 322.2 million tons, a 9% decrease compared to 2024. Rail transport accounted for 161.3 million tons (-7.8%), road transport accounted for 125.2 million tons (-2.8%), and other modes of transport accounted for the remainder.

The Port of Gdansk closed 2025 with record cargo handling figures, handling 80.4 million tonnes, a 4% increase compared to 2024. The total number of vessels reached 4,394, including 3,650 commercial, and the average gross tonnage increased by 3.8%, confirming the port’s growing role in servicing large vessels and the efficient use of its deepwater infrastructure. Oil products retained their leading position in cargo turnover, handling 39.6 million tonnes (up 0.4%), including a record 37.4 million tonnes of crude oil at the Naftoport terminal.

Die Güterbahnen, Germany’s national association of freight rail carriers, has sharply criticized a potential 37% increase in rail infrastructure fees by the end of this year. According to the association’s calculations, this will result in additional costs for the industry of €381 million, with companies generating a combined annual turnover of approximately €7 billion. The tariff revision was initiated by the country’s rail infrastructure operator, DB InfraGO.

The International Union for Road-Rail Combined Transport (UIRR) has pointed to terminal capacity as a critical bottleneck for expanding rail-based intermodal freight in Europe. The association’s position is based on a recent European Commission study on modal shift potential and on the new TEN-T Regulation, which introduces binding requirements for multimodal freight terminals.

Freightliner Ltd. announced the successful completion of its acquisition by international transport and logistics group CMA CGM. The company noted that joining one of the world’s leading shipping and logistics companies marks a new stage in Freightliner’s development and strengthens its position as a leading intermodal rail operator in the UK.

CLdN announced the launch of a new weekly LoLo container service between the Rotterdam Distriport terminal and the port of Leixões (Porto, Portugal). This decision was made in response to growing customer demand and aims to expand the company’s logistics capabilities on this route.

During their visit to Spain, the Lithuanian delegation is working to deepen cooperation between the Port of Klaipėda and the Port of Valencia, one of the leading logistics hubs in the Mediterranean. The main goal of the talks was to strengthen the international position of the Port of Klaipėda through the exchange of experience in developing port infrastructure and joint efforts to attract additional cargo flows. The Lithuanian Ministry of Transport and Communications emphasizes the strategic importance of the Port of Klaipėda for the country and the need to consider best international practices when making development decisions.