According to a joint report by Upply, Ti and IRU, the European Road Freight Rate Development Benchmark Report, in the first quarter of 2025, European road freight companies faced a drop in revenues amid falling contract and spot rates. The reason was sluggish consumer activity and global trade instability, which is reducing demand for products from European manufacturers.
The Rail Baltica project has entered a new phase in Latvia – work on the construction of a railway embankment has begun near Iecava in the southern part of the country. A logistics hub, the Infrastructure Maintenance Facility (IMF), has been set up here on the section between Misa and the Lithuanian border, which will perform a key function during the construction of the highway. The topsoil is currently being removed, earthworks are being carried out, the foundation for the tracks is being laid, and access roads are being constructed. Sixteen modular offices for the contractor, JV ERB Rail, have also been delivered and are being installed.
On 27 May, the Ministers of Transport of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania – Kuldar Leis, Atis Švinka and Eugenijus Sabutis – held a meeting in Vilnius before the meeting with their colleagues from the Nordic countries and the B9. The main topic of discussion was the confirmation of their common commitment to the Rail Baltica project, the first phase of which the countries intend to complete by the end of 2030.
Poland plans to create the largest logistics hub in Europe based on the railway terminal in Slawków. This was announced by Prime Minister Donald Tusk, emphasizing that after the end of the war in Ukraine, this hub will become a key center for transshipment of goods from Asia, including China. The government pays special attention to maintaining Polish control over the strategic facility.
From 1 September 2025, Crossrail Benelux will officially become BLS Cargo Nord NV and will operate under the single brand and logo BLS Cargo. This decision reflects the strategy to further consolidate all divisions of the BLS Cargo group under a single brand.
MAN Truck & Bus and the Austrian logistics company Gartner have signed a new framework agreement for the supply of up to 1,200 MAN TGX tractor units with a view to 2028. The cooperation has been going on for more than 50 years, and deliveries under the new contract will start in the summer of 2025 and can reach up to 350 vehicles per year.
Swiss Medlog SA, the logistics division of global container operator MSC, has acquired 50% of Ukrainian intermodal logistics operator N’UNIT and 25% of the Mostyska transit terminal, co-owned by Ukrainian company Lemtrans.
Craiss Generation Logistik Austria GmbH und Co. KG is strengthening its position in the mobility sector by expanding logistics services at its largest site in Ebergassing, Austria. Since its launch in autumn 2024, the company has expanded its cooperation with the leading mobility solutions provider by also taking over the customer’s second business area. The logistics provider has equipped seven warehouses with modern storage technology and is continuing to modernize them, as well as integrating IT systems.
Ukrzaliznytsia plans to restore sea transportation by the ferries “Geroi Plevny” and “Geroi Shipki” as part of the development of the Trans-Caspian route. These vessels will be used to transport container trains between the Caspian region and the Black Sea, connecting the ports of Baku, Poti and Odessa. Thus, the company will become an operator of not only railway but also sea transportation, providing a comprehensive logistics service on the China-Europe route.
Turkish Cargo has integrated its services with the CargoWise logistics platform, giving customers the ability to get real-time rates, check capacity availability, and book shipments. The solution is aimed at global freight forwarders and 3PL operators.
