In its autumn macroeconomic forecast, the European Commission raised its global economic growth estimate for 2025 from 2.9% to 3.1% (up from 3.3% in 2024). Expectations for 2026 have also been improved to 3.1%, while for 2027 they remain at 3.2%. However, the regulator emphasizes that the global economic outlook remains “highly uncertain.”
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announced key agreements reached during talks with Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov. The leaders discussed priorities for bilateral cooperation, emphasizing the expansion of trade and economic ties. The parties agreed to increase mutual trade turnover to $1 billion, establish trading houses, and consider launching direct commercial flights.
Business activity in the eurozone continued to grow in November, driven primarily by the services sector, which posted its fastest growth in a year and a half. According to the preliminary HCOB Eurozone Composite PMI from S&P Global, the indicator fell only slightly to 52.4 after hitting a two-year high in October. Services rose to 53.1, the best level since May 2024, while manufacturing contracted again: the manufacturing PMI fell to 49.7, accompanied by the fastest job losses in seven months.
Kazakhstan has announced preparations for the construction of a new seaport in Aktau, costing approximately $300 million. Nurdaulet Kilibay, Akim of the Mangystau Region, announced that the project is being implemented at the direction of the country’s president and is aimed at developing transport infrastructure and strengthening the region’s transit potential. The Chinese group Zhongyun International is a strategic partner and has already registered a company in the region, preparing documents for signing an investment agreement.
The 83rd meeting of the CIS Railway Transport Council was held in Baku, attended by railway administrations from Azerbaijan, Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, and Central Asian countries, as well as representatives from Georgia, Iran, Armenia, Latvia, Estonia, and international industry organizations. Azerbaijan Railways (ADY) CEO Rovshan Rustamov noted that transport cooperation plays a key role in the region’s economic integration, and the development of unified railway coordination strengthens the resilience of the CIS transport system.
Global air cargo demand grew by 4.1% year-on-year in October 2025, up from 2.9% in September, IATA reported. The association notes that the slowdown in cargo turnover observed in recent months is ending, as the peak season traditionally occurs in the fourth quarter. The international segment increased by 4.8% and now accounts for 87.3% of global cargo turnover.
Intermodal operator Helrom announced the launch of a new route linking Arad, Romania, with Düsseldorf, Germany, in 2026. The new service will connect Romania’s largest logistics hub on the Hungarian border with the industrial center of the Ruhr, where the company’s main hub is located.
Intermodal transport in Italy is undergoing a major transformation: the country aims to shift 30% of freight over 300 km from road to rail by 2030. However, rail currently accounts for only 12%, compared to an EU average of 17%. The situation is further complicated by unprecedented infrastructure work on the RFI network, which will last until 2026–2027 and is already leading to reduced capacity, route diversions, and increased delivery times. This modernization is aimed at meeting TEN-T standards and should ensure increased efficiency and sustainability in future transport.
The Modalis Group and the Port of Dunkirk are jointly developing a new €25 million intermodal terminal project, which will provide an additional option for long-haul freight transport across Europe. The 9.6-hectare complex is located along the Loon-Plage line, adjacent to the Ro-Ro terminals serving the UK and Ireland, integrating rail transport with existing maritime routes across the English Channel.
METRANS, a subsidiary of HHLA, and INTERPORT Servis are launching a joint project to modernize the TIP Košice intermodal terminal near Košice, which is expected to become a key logistics hub on the EU’s eastern border. The new hub will combine METRANS’s experience in European rail transport with INTERPORT’s regional expertise, creating a modern infrastructure for international freight flows and strengthening Slovakia’s importance as a transit hub between the EU and Ukraine.
