In a recent announcement from China Railway Container Company (CRCT), CRCT Kazakhstan International Logistics was honorably recognized as an “Advanced Unit” for its outstanding achievements in 2023.
In January 2024, the volume of cargo transportation by rail between Kazakhstan and China increased by 22%, reaching 2.4 million tons, compared to the same period last year. Exports of goods to China also increased markedly, exceeding 2023 figures by 43%, including an increase in transportation of iron ore (by 19%), grain (by 37%), ferrous metals (by 2 times) and non-ferrous metals (by 2.2 times). ). An impressive increase in the transportation of goods in containers for export was also recorded – 2.2 times.
Kombiverkehr KG is enhancing its service offerings between Germany and the Netherlands by introducing a new train route connecting Rotterdam and Köln-Eifeltor. The route concludes at the Rail Service Center (RSC) in Waalhaven, Rotterdam. The inaugural journey is scheduled for March 12, with a swift twelve-hour transit time to Köln-Eifeltor. This service operates on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays in both directions, providing forwarders and logistics firms with flexible scheduling options.
KTZ Express and Jiangsu International Rail Freight Express have inked a strategic cooperation agreement to jointly organize and dispatch container trains through Kazakhstan, including the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TMTM). The agreement was signed in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China, during a meeting between Erlan Koyshebayev, Deputy Chairman of the Board for Logistics at NC KTZ, and the leadership of the Jiangsu Provincial Department of Transportation and the major state trading group, Jiangsu SOHO Holdings Group.
Rail Cargo Hungaria (RCH), formerly known as MÁV Cargo, marked its 15th anniversary with a grand celebration held at the Railway Historical Park Budapest. The event gathered a distinguished assembly of guests, including ÖBB CEO Andreas Matthä, János Kerékgyártó (Deputy State Secretary for Transport Regulation in Hungary), László Mosóczi (CEO of MÁV-START), Zoltán Pafféri (CEO of MÁV Zrt), and numerous high-ranking executives from various railway enterprises and logistics providers. Notable attendees also included ambassadors from Austria and China, as well as representatives from trade unions.
ÖBB Rail Cargo Group (RCG) is enhancing its TransFER service connecting the Czech Republic and the Baltic Sea, delivering substantial benefits to customers through shortened transit times and enhanced efficiency, all achieved with 100% RCG performance. The non-stop TransFER route between Paskov and Gdansk stands out as the sole direct link from Moravia and Northern Slovakia to the critical Baltic Sea port of Gdansk. Positioned as a pivotal transshipment hub in Central Europe, the Paskov site serves as a strategic base for RCG to efficiently distribute maritime goods flows (FCL – Full Container Loads) to destinations in the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
The German Federal Logistics and Mobility Office (BALM) has recently released a comprehensive analysis shedding light on the transformative trends in container transportation via water and rail in Germany. Notably, rail-based container transport in the country witnessed a remarkable surge of 85.9%, soaring from just under 4.2 million TEUs to around 7.7 million TEUs during the period spanning from 2005 to 2022. The driving force behind this growth stems from positive developments in the hinterland of the Port of Hamburg, showcasing a significant rise in the modal share of rail freight.
Due to ongoing challenges in the Red Sea, Lineas and CSP Zeebrugge have swiftly introduced an alternative train connection between Zeebrugge and Graz, Austria, catering to COSCO Shipping Lines’ logistical needs. This collaboration ensures a reliable and rapid freight transport solution, bypassing disrupted routes and addressing the impact of Houthi rebel attacks. Lineas, a major player in climate-neutral supply chains, leverages its extensive private rail network in Europe to reduce CO2 emissions significantly for customers, reflecting its commitment to sustainable logistics. The largest private rail freight company, Lineas, collaborates with CSP Zeebrugge, a leading container handler, to navigate disruptions, delivering efficient multimodal solutions for container transport.
The Rail Cargo Group (RCG), a key player in European logistics, has once again demonstrated its commitment to environmental transparency and sustainability. The non-profit organization CDP, globally recognized for its environmental ratings, acknowledged RCG’s efforts, even with increased requirements, including new aspects like biodiversity and the EU taxonomy. RCG not only maintained a good overall rating but also showed notable improvements in key areas such as “Energy” and “Value Chain Engagement,” surpassing the global C average. As a leading rail logistics provider, RCG continues to drive the industry towards a more sustainable future and is actively engaged in the initiative to shift 30% of freight volumes to eco-friendly rail transport by 2030, contributing to the advancement of sustainable freight logistics in Europe.
METRANS has successfully operated a direct service between Dunajska Streda and Halkali since September 2022, providing a crucial link in the METRANS network. The HUB Terminal in Dunajska Streda offers a diverse range of options for onward delivery to ports and destinations across Central and Eastern Europe, Germany, Benelux, and more. The service accommodates various containers, including special equipment like tank containers, with plans to increase capacity in response to growing demand from March 2024, offering additional departures and introducing new delivery options to Indija terminal in Serbia and Budapest in Hungary. The regular weekly connections aim to enhance flexibility, providing customers with efficient and reliable transportation solutions.
