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In Ankara, Türkiye, the Working Group and General Meeting of the “Trans-Caspian International Transport Route” (TITR) association convened on January 25-26, 2024. The meetings featured a comprehensive report highlighting the Association’s accomplishments in 2023, revealing a substantial increase in cargo volume, reaching 2.7 million tons—a notable 86% surge compared to 2022.

The Port of Antwerp-Bruges and Infrabel are set to receive a EUR 23 million grant from the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) for the revitalization of the Lillo Bridge. This financial support follows their application for European subsidies in September 2023, aimed at refurbishing the bridge and renewing the adjacent tracks. The European Commission’s announcement of the CEF grant underscores the strategic significance of the Lillo Bridge for facilitating seamless rail transport within the port area and the broader region.

The LTE-group is adapting to the changing dynamics in the transportation industry by venturing into rail logistics to distinguish itself from emerging competitors among container shipping companies. The conflict in Ukraine has reshaped supply chains, resulting in increased revenue for rail transport firms handling the transportation of grain, iron ore, alumina, and steel. Despite a positive trajectory with 13,000 trains and a sales volume of nearly 200 million euros, Mag. Andreas Mandl highlights the need for caution and emphasizes the underutilized potential of rail infrastructure.

On the China-Central Asia and China-Europe routes, the Tez Customs digital platform is being introduced for the automatic submission and issuance of transit declarations for goods transported along rail routes. The project is being implemented jointly by the State Revenue Committee, the national carrier Kazakhstan Temir Zholy and Global DTC, a subsidiary of the global port operator PSA International.

During the meeting between the Vice Minister of Transport of Kazakhstan Talgat Lastaev and the Vice Minister of Communications, Railways and Maritime Affairs of Pakistan Syed Mazhar Ali Shah, prospects for cooperation in the railway and maritime transport sectors were discussed. Important topics included issues related to the holding of an intergovernmental commission, expert meetings and the upcoming visit of the Kazakh delegation to Pakistan in the first half of this year.