Within the framework of the Strategic Shipping Development Program approved by the Supervisory Board of the Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping Company (ASCO) CJSC upon the instruction of President Ilham Aliyev, the company has completed the acquisition of the second Handysize dry cargo vessel. This acquisition underlines ASCO’s intention to expand its operational capabilities beyond the Caspian Sea.
Správa železnic (Czech Republic) and ÖBB-Infrastruktur (Austria) have signed an agreement on joint work to assess the potential for developing cross-border traffic between Prague, České Budějovice and Linz as a high-capacity corridor. The study will focus on analysing the passenger and freight transport market at the regional, European and international levels.
At a meeting with Christian Roeder, CEO of APM Terminals Poti, Kazakh Transport Minister Marat Karabayev reported a significant increase in transportation along the Middle Corridor in the first nine months of 2024. Cargo transportation volumes increased by 70%, reaching 3.4 million tons, while container transportation tripled to 34.6 thousand TEU compared to 12.6 thousand TEU in the same period last year. Particularly noted was the sharp increase in container transit from China – more than 20 times.
Craiss Generation Logistik continues to expand and has announced a major expansion of its facility in Weiz, Austria. The company is increasing the warehouse space by 20,000 square meters to meet the growing needs of its key customer Siemens Energy. Since the warehouse opened in 2021, Craiss has been offering services in Weiz that go well beyond standard logistics. Construction of the new site began on October 8 with a ceremony.
In order to complete the acquisition of a stake in the Hamburg port logistics company HHLA by Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), Ukraine’s consent is needed, since HHLA operates a container terminal in Odessa. The head of MSC noted that a decision from the Ukrainian authorities is expected within a few weeks.
GRAMPET Group and KTZ Express signed a memorandum in Astana to continue their cooperation in expanding and modernizing the infrastructure at the port of Constanta. The document also aims to optimize rail freight transport between Europe and Asia, especially on the China-Europe-China route. As part of the agreement, GP Intermodal and KTZ Express agreed to provide each other with rail services in their regions: GP Intermodal in Europe, and KTZ Express in Asia.
Maersk has christened its new methanol-capable, dual-fuel container ship, the Alexandra Maersk, at a ceremony in the Port of Felixstowe, UK, attended by UK Maritime Minister Mike Cain, IMO officials, and Maersk customers and employees. Elaine Condon, Primark’s Director of People and Culture, served as the vessel’s godmother, highlighting Maersk’s strong partnership with the retailer.
Vice Minister of Transport of Kazakhstan Talgat Lastayev held a meeting with the Permanent Representative of the European Union to Kazakhstan Aleshka Simkich, where they discussed key issues of bilateral cooperation in the transport sector. Particular attention was paid to the development of transport corridors and infrastructure projects.
On October 22, 2024, the international conference The Shipping Route Istanbul 2024 (SHIPROUTE-24) will be held in Istanbul, in the beautiful place of Divan Kuruçeşme. The event will bring together more than 600 representatives of the marine industry from all over the world. This year’s conference will be held with the participation of the Netherlands as the country of honor, which emphasizes the importance of the relationship between Turkey and the Netherlands in the field of maritime transport.
This infrastructure development will enhance the UK’s rail freight capabilities, bringing benefits to the local economy and the national supply chain.
