Europe

Switzerland’s transalpine freight transport by rail has long maintained a higher proportion compared to other Alpine nations. However, four years post the completion of the NRLA (New Rail Link through the Alps), signs of limitations to the modal shift’s success are emerging. Despite initial growth, the share is decreasing due to challenges such as numerous infrastructure works, diversions, cancellations, high track and energy prices, and railway competitiveness, affecting transit.

On Thursday 7 December, Masdar, a prominent global clean energy company, has joined forces with the Port of Amsterdam, SkyNRG, and Zenith Energy Terminals to embark on a Joint Study Agreement (JSA) aimed at assessing the feasibility of a dedicated liquefied green hydrogen supply chain. This collaboration follows an earlier Memorandum of Understanding signed between Masdar and four Dutch companies. The focus of the JSA is to explore the potential of producing green hydrogen by Masdar and exporting it to the port of Amsterdam, thereby supplying hydrogen to regional industries and the broader European hinterland.

Multimodal logistics (MML) is surging, with RCG, Europe’s premier rail logistics specialist, leading the charge. RCG excels in crafting tailored end-to-end logistics solutions, leveraging diverse transportation modes, prioritizing eco-friendly rail travel for the main route and flexible road transport for the first and last mile.

On December 4, 2023, PSA Sines welcomed the arrival of two massive Ship-to-Shore (STS) cranes, marking a significant enhancement to its container handling capabilities. These new cranes, complementing the existing ten Super Post-Panamax cranes, empower PSA Sines to efficiently manage the largest container vessels operating on the Iberian Peninsula. The addition of these cranes not only contributes to expanding PSA Sines’ capacity from 2.3 to 2.7 million TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units) but also solidifies its status as the preferred Iberian gateway hub.

RCG, a renowned logistics company, has expanded its transport services beyond traditional goods to include components for railway infrastructure, collaborating with Track Tec Group, a leading global provider of railway infrastructure solutions. Starting in June 2023, RCG has been facilitating the transportation of concrete sleepers over a 1,650-kilometer route from Poland through the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary to Romania, supporting infrastructure renovations. This venture aims to manage over 80 trains by December 2024, each comprising 27 wagons and carrying approximately 1,500 net tonnes, demonstrating RCG’s commitment to efficient and reliable railway logistics. The operation involves RCG’s carrier subsidiaries in respective countries, with partner railway undertakings handling the crucial first and last miles of the journey.

The Freeport of Riga Authority’s capital company, “LVR Flote,” has signed a contract with Baltic Workboats AS to acquire a state-of-the-art multifunctional hybrid ice class vessel, with 50% of the costs covered by the European Climate, Infrastructure, and Environment Agency CINEA. Expected to be commissioned by end-2024, the vessel not only supports port functions but also enhances Latvia’s military capabilities by assisting the Border Guard, Navy, and Coast Guard.

In October 2023, the rail freight industry demonstrated a notable increase in transport performance, surpassing the figures from the previous year. The total transport performance exceeded 5.5 billion tonne-km, marking a 0.6% rise compared to 2022. Although the weight of goods carried slightly decreased to 21 million tonnes, a 1.2% decline, it still represented the second-highest monthly result of the year.

The Ministry of Energy and Minerals of the Sultanate has joined forces with Hydrogen Oman (Hydrom), Port of Amsterdam, Zenith Energy Terminals, and GasLog, signing a pivotal Joint Study Agreement (JSA) during COP28 in Dubai. This collaboration aims to pioneer the world’s inaugural commercial-scale liquid hydrogen corridor, focusing on green hydrogen produced in Oman. The signing ceremony, witnessed by His Excellency Minister Eng. Salim bin Nasser Al Aufi and the Climate Envoy of the Netherlands, Prince Jaime de Bourbon de Parme, underscores the shared commitment to advancing sustainable energy.

The Container Exchange Route (CER) on the Maasvlakte has officially commenced operations after an extensive preliminary phase, marking a significant milestone in enhancing the container infrastructure at the Port of Rotterdam. The 17-kilometre-long closed road network interconnects key container terminals, including Rotterdam World Gateway (RWG), Hutchison Ports ECT Rotterdam’s Delta terminal, and QTerminals Kramer Rotterdam’s terminals and depots. This innovative system facilitates diverse forms of transport, such as Multi Trailer Systems (MTS), Terminal Tractor Units with chassis (TT), and conventional trucks, utilized by affiliated parties through various carriers.

EVN is a leading international company providing energy and environmental services, headquartered in Lower Austria. In collaboration with ÖBB Rail Cargo Group (RCG), EVN has been transporting municipal waste to Dürnrohr for thermal utilization on behalf of its partner BAWU, the Lower Austrian Waste Association, for 20 years, establishing itself as a pioneer in sustainability and climate protection.