The cargo turnover of the Batumi Sea Port in 2024 increased by 9% compared to the previous year, reaching 3.6 million tons. The growth was ensured by increased transshipment volumes of oil and oil products, which amounted to 1.8 million tons (+12.5%), as well as dry cargo – 1.8 million tons (+5.9%).
Northwest Europe’s largest short-distance shipping operator CLdN has introduced a new service that will enable partners to comply with the FuelEU Maritime (FEUM) environmental requirements. This EU directive aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through the use of renewable and low-carbon fuels. However, such measures lead to increased costs, as biofuels are 50-150% more expensive than traditional fuels. At the same time, there are fines for non-compliance with FEUM standards – for example, a Capesize vessel calling in Rotterdam from South America could incur costs of $50,000 if it does not use the required amount of biofuel.
Astana Airport handled 8.315 million passengers in 2024, up 11% from 2023, Terminals Astana Airport Management reported. Domestic flights carried 5.668 million people (+9%), while international flights carried 2.647 million (+16%).
HPC Hamburg Port Consulting (HPC) has been appointed as the project coordinator and financial manager for the H2-Derivatives@BalticSeaPorts (H2Deri@BSP) project, funded by the Baltic Sea Region 2021-2027 programme. The project, initiated by the Port of Hamburg Marketing (HHM), will start in March 2025 and run until February 2028. Its objective is to introduce hydrogen derivatives as a marine fuel and optimise their handling in the ports of the Baltic region.
Lufthansa Group has completed the acquisition of a 41% stake in ITA Airways for 325 million euros. The Italian airline has thus joined the Lufthansa network, becoming the fifth airline in the group. The remaining 59% of the shares remain with the Italian Ministry of Economy and Finance.
German rail logistics operator VTG has completed the acquisition of the remaining shares in Retrack Slovakia from Rail Services Slovakia, becoming its sole owner. The deal also includes Retrack Slovakia’s subsidiaries in the Czech Republic and Hungary.
The construction of the third Ro-PAX ferry for ASCO continues as part of the company’s development strategy aimed at strengthening cargo transportation along the Middle Corridor. The vessel will become an important link in the transport network connecting the East and West. Currently, hull work is 88% complete, engineering – 97%, and procurement – 82%. The main engines, fire extinguishing and fresh water systems, freight elevator, pumps and electrical panels have already been installed. The overall project completion has reached 49%, and the delivery of the vessel is scheduled for the first quarter of next year.
CER Hungary Zrt. has officially accepted the new Transmontana locomotive into service. This is a significant event, as exactly ten years ago the company took delivery of its first locomotive of this model. László Horváth (Chairman of the Board of Directors of CER Cargo Holding and LAC Holding), Sebastian Gyta (CEO of Softronic), Géza Dem (CEO of Széchenyi Funds) and Kálmán Tekse (CEO of Deutsche Leasing) spoke at the ceremony.
A working meeting was held at the border railway stations of Alashankou (PRC) and Dostyk (RK), during which the results of cooperation between Kazakhstan and China in the field of railway transportation for 2024 were summed up. The parties also preliminary agreed on cargo transportation plans for 2025. The delegation of Kazakhstan was headed by the Managing Director for the Production Process of JSC NC KTZ Bauyrzhan Urynbasarov, and the Chinese delegation was headed by the Deputy General Director of Urumqi Railway LLC Hao Xiaoming.
The global project coordinator of Rail Baltica has submitted a funding application for the latest round of the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) programme in the current budget period. The application covers infrastructure development in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania for over EUR 325 million. According to Marko Kivila, Interim CEO of RB Rail AS, receiving these funds is critical to accelerating construction and strengthening the Baltic States’ transport connections to the European rail network.
