Rail

Poland’s infrastructure manager, PKP PLK, has granted contracts to Infra Centrum Doradztwa for the documentation related to the construction of a proposed Lublin – Łęczna – Bogdanka rail line and the modernization of the Chełm – Włodawa route. The envisioned 25 km single-track electrified line, with an estimated construction cost of 736 million złoty, is set to connect Lublin to Łęczna and the Bogdanka coal mine, featuring 12 stations and reducing travel time between Łęczna and Lublin to approximately 40 minutes. Simultaneously, the 45.5 km Chełm – Włodawa line’s 500 million złoty modernization will include the construction of a 10 km single-track non-electrified connecting line, enhancing connectivity from Okuninka Białe to Włodawa and refurbishing nine stations. These vital projects are slated to be financed through the Kolej Plus program.

CER Cargo Holding SE, the European Company, has unveiled its ambitious 2024 business plan during the recent Board of Directors’ meeting held on January 24. With a substantial increase in profit expectations compared to the previous year, the expansion into Poland and Romania, coupled with intensified acquisition activities in existing countries, has set the stage for the Group’s robust financial outlook.

KTZ Express is intensifying efforts to implement digital services, with the final stages underway for the pre-project work on the “Unified Digital Window” initiative. This project aims to integrate sales channels, ensuring seamless communication between clients and all subsidiaries of JSC “NC” KTZ.”

Rail Cargo Group (RCG), the Austrian national rail freight company, has initiated the enhancement of its rail terminal in Wels, located approximately 30 kilometers southwest of Linz. The expansion project involves extending the four loading tracks from 580 to 700 meters, catering to the requirements of longer block trains. With a total investment of 68 million euros, jointly funded by RCG and the European Union, the upgraded terminal is slated for completion by 2027. In addition to the track extension, the endeavor includes creating an extra connection to the west, linking to Linz and Vienna through the marshalling yard in Wels, with assurances from the company that the project will not impact the timetable.

The Cargo Sous Terrain (CST) project, a Swiss initiative for an underground freight-dedicated rail network, is advancing into a new phase with the commencement of an audition period. The Swiss Federal Offices of Transport and Territorial Development have initiated this period, inviting involved parties to submit their perspectives on the project. Commencing on February 1, the Swiss cantons through which CST’s initial section is planned, namely Bern, Solothurn, Aargau, and Zürich, have the opportunity to voice their opinions. The auditions, organized by the cantons, will involve towns and the public and are scheduled to begin on March 1, continuing until mid-March.

The active development of human resources at NC KTZ JSC continues with the signing of a memorandum of cooperation with Maksut Narikbayev University. This step, carried out on February 1, 2023, is aimed at strengthening relations in the field of education and training of highly qualified personnel for the railway industry of Kazakhstan.

KTZ Express announces the launch of an innovative multimodal service that combines road transportation within China and air transportation on the route Urumqi – Almaty, including Urumqi. The company’s new solution provides customers with an effective combination of different modes of transport, guaranteeing fast and reliable delivery of goods. Optimizing logistics processes, reducing delivery times and increasing flexibility in the choice of vehicles make this multimodal service a significant step in providing high-quality logistics solutions to the company’s customers. Staying true to its mission of providing efficient and innovative logistics solutions, KTZ Express continues to strive to continuously improve the quality of services provided.

As part of an official visit to Dushanbe, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan Murat Nurtleu conducted an international visit with his Tajik counterpart Sirojiddin Mukhriddin.

At the beginning of the new year, the first China-Germany freight train started from Guangzhou, following a route through Kazakhstan. The train carries a variety of goods, including equipment, household electrical appliances and other cargo with a total value of about $5 million, the total weight of which reaches 355 tons.

The Swiss InterRail Group achieved a milestone last year with the successful execution of its inaugural reefer container transports between Asia and Europe. In a strategic expansion for the current year, the transportation company has now incorporated temperature-controlled rail transport into its regular service offerings.