Europe

On November 3, a new automated entry system was launched at La Spezia Container Terminal (LSCT), marking the next step in the digital transformation of the Contship Italia group terminal. The project was implemented jointly with the Port Authority of Eastern Liguria and an international technology partner. The goal is to speed up, simplify, and make access for trucks to the terminal safer, while simultaneously improving environmental sustainability by reducing waiting times and emissions.

Dutch shipbuilding group Damen Shipyards Group closed 2024 with record results: revenue exceeded €3 billion, and net profit rose to €58 million, compared to €43 million the year before. Order book reached an all-time high of €10.4 billion after signing new contracts worth €5.9 billion.

Ukrzaliznytsia JSC has signed contracts with the Howard G. Buffett Foundation (HGBF) worth $9.2 million for the purchase of modern spare parts manufacturing equipment. According to Yevhen Shramko, a member of the company’s board of directors overseeing the Repair and Production division, the agreements provide for the supply of over 20 units of high-precision industrial and innovative equipment, including lathes and milling machines, 3D printers, scanners, thermal units, and other technologies.

The revised corridor—Malmö–Älmhult–Jönköping–Oslo—will operate five round trips per week and includes stops for loading and unloading at all points along the route.

The Romanian Freight Forwarders Association (User) has launched an interactive online map of intermodal terminals, accessible on the organization’s official website. The project was presented at the intermodal transport panel at the TransLogistica Romania 2025 exhibition and is the first tool to consolidate all data on the country’s terminal infrastructure.

Founded in 1919, family-owned Heisterkamp Transportation Solutions is expanding its European presence with the opening of a new office in Moldova. Today, the operator manages a fleet of over 800 trucks and 9,000 trailers, employs over 1,300 people, and has offices in the Netherlands, Germany, Poland, Latvia, and Romania. The company combines road transport, equipment leasing, maintenance, and digital logistics solutions.

Introduction

The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) has published its first macroeconomic study covering the six Gulf countries for the period 2020–2024. The analysis reflects the region’s growing role as a key energy and financial hub, as well as a new strategic partner for the countries of the Eurasian region. Over the past five years, trade turnover between Central Asia and the Gulf countries has grown 4.2-fold to $3.3 billion, while direct investment has almost doubled to $16.2 billion.

The signatories call for immediate political engagement to tackle these points and signal readiness for dialogue with decision-makers.

LTG Cargo, a rail freight company within LTG Group, has launched a pilot project using a specially trained robotic dog equipped with artificial intelligence. The robot will autonomously inspect trains and use cameras to identify defects in railcar components, analyzing the condition of bogies, axleboxes, brakes, and automatic coupling devices.