Europe

Latvia’s Ministry of Transport plans to invest approximately 175 million euros in the Rail Baltica project for 2024, with 115 million euros secured through EU funding. The primary focus will be on advancing the design of the Rail Baltica mainline and continuing construction efforts, expanding the mainline beyond Latvia’s capital, Riga. Transport Minister Kaspars Briškens emphasized the project’s transition to the construction phase across all Baltic states, aiming to connect the Baltic states with Poland by 2030.

The Aktau seaport has announced its impressive capacity to process up to 70,000 containers annually, meeting the needs of exporters, importers, and supporting transit cargo flow. It is anticipated that with the equipment upgrade scheduled for 2025, this figure will increase to 100,000 containers annually.

ÖBB-Infrastruktur, the infrastructure operator, has announced plans for the construction of a new railway line spanning 21.5 km, including a 16.2 km-long Flachgau tunnel. This route will pass beneath the town of Fischbach, nearing Salzburg, with a focus on minimizing the impact on the environment and wildlife listed in the Red Book.

Maersk has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the City of Yokohama and Mitsubishi Gas Chemical (MGC) to lead the development of green methanol bunkering infrastructure in Yokohama. The company plans to deploy its green methanol-powered container vessels with a capacity of 16,000 TEU, starting in 2024.

ExxonMobil is set to construct a pioneering pilot facility at the Botlek site in Rotterdam, utilizing advanced carbonate fuel cell technology. This innovative technology not only captures CO2 emissions from industrial sources before release but also generates valuable by-products, including low carbon power, heat, and hydrogen. The captured CO2 will be transported via the Porthos infrastructure and stored in depleted gas fields beneath the North Sea.

Rhenus Automotive, a logistics specialist, and John Deere, a prominent agricultural machinery manufacturer, are inaugurating a collaborative business site in Genk, Belgium, on December 7. The state-of-the-art facility integrates modern logistics with production capabilities and boasts direct transport links to the port of Antwerp. This strategic move enables John Deere to focus on manufacturing turf sector machines at the new location, thereby fortifying its presence in Europe.

EIB Global, the specialized development finance arm of the European Investment Bank, has inked a €41.2 million loan agreement with the Moldovan government to revitalize the country’s railway infrastructure. Complementing this, a €12 million EU investment grant, unveiled at the Global Gateway Forum earlier this year, will significantly enhance Moldova’s internal connectivity and establish a vital export route for Ukraine, fostering regional stability and economic resilience.

Rhenus Road Freight is revolutionizing its European groupage freight network with the introduction of Groupage Network 2.0, a system aimed at optimizing structural processes. The initiative, currently undergoing a successful pilot phase in several European countries, with a focus on Germany, is set to enhance daily cross-border transport services. By streamlining operations, Rhenus aims to reduce transit times and significantly improve long-term reliability, benefiting customers across the continent.

Tunis, December 20, 2023 – Maersk proudly unveils a novel transport initiative linking the burgeoning Tunisian market to its primary liner services connecting Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. The recently launched weekly service operates through a dedicated ro-ro vessel, shuttling between the Port of Rades and the pivotal hub port of Cagliari in Italy. Notably, this service provides an optimal connection between Morocco and Tunisia.

A new initiative has been launched at the Freeport of Riga, introducing a regular container train, often referred to as a “shuttle train,” connecting the “Rīgas universālais terminālis” (RUT) and the “Baltic Container Terminal” (BCT). This development aims to enhance the efficiency and safety of container delivery to vessels at these terminals. The implementation of this train service not only enhances freight movement within the port but also alleviates pressure on terminal infrastructure, port motorways, and city streets by reducing reliance on road transport. This shift is particularly beneficial for neighboring communities and residents of Riga.