Wabtec ended 2025 with a multi-year backlog of EUR 24.84bn (USD 27bn), up 23% year on year, providing long-term visibility across freight and passenger markets. Fourth-quarter sales rose 14.8% to EUR 2.73bn (USD 2.97bn), with growth in both the Freight and Transit segments.
The combined container throughput of Europe’s 15 largest ports reached 79.3 million TEU last year, an increase of 2.6% compared to the previous year, according to the PortsEurope analytical project. Nearly half of this volume comes from the region’s three leading ports – Rotterdam, Antwerp-Bruges, and Hamburg – which together account for approximately 46% of the rating’s container throughput. Their combined throughput increased by 2.9%.
Austria and Slovakia have signed a joint declaration of intent to expand cross-border rail transport, with a focus on links between Vienna and Bratislava and wider international corridors.
International logistics operator Hellmann Worldwide Logistics has signed a global framework agreement with Exotec, a specialist in robotic warehouse automation systems. The partnership aims to implement automated solutions in Hellmann’s contract logistics segment and transform key supply chain processes by implementing a goods-to-person order processing model. The first joint project has already been launched in the healthcare sector, with further implementations planned for other industries and regions.
Europe’s largest seaports ended 2025 with mixed cargo throughput trends: growth in container traffic was accompanied by a decline in bulk cargo volumes. The Port of Rotterdam handled 428.4 million tonnes (-1.7%), while Antwerp-Bruges handled 266.5 million tonnes (-4.1%), while the Port of Hamburg increased its throughput to 114.6 million tonnes (+2.6%). The Port of Koper in Slovenia maintained a stable level of approximately 23 million tonnes. The container segment was the main driver of growth at individual ports, despite global trade volatility, tariff restrictions, and changes in the energy market.
A coalition of European rail, intermodal and transport safety associations has called on EU institutions to restrict the deployment of European Modular System (EMS) trucks under the ongoing revision of the Weights and Dimensions Directive.
Japanese container carrier Ocean Network Express announced the modernization of its Levant Express (LEX) service and the launch of a new Aegean Express (AEX) route. The company stated that the updated solutions are aimed at strengthening north-south connectivity, reducing transit times, and increasing schedule stability.
Conwy County Council in Wales has come under increasing public pressure after revelations that it spent over £3.2 million on a heavy-duty truck depot that was never commissioned. The data was obtained through a Freedom of Information request and published by the BBC Local Democracy Reporting Service. The situation has been exacerbated by the council’s acknowledged budget deficit of £5.632 million for the 2026/27 financial year, which may require additional measures, including potential changes to council tax for households.
Rail Baltic Estonia has announced a tender for the construction of the first stage of the Kantsi Tunnel in the Ülemiste district of Tallinn. The project involves constructing a concrete structure under the future Rail Baltica high-speed railway, which will subsequently create an underground railway connection in the direction of Ülemiste City. The new tunnel will provide an additional connection between the Lasnamäe and Ülemiste districts for pedestrians, passenger cars, and public transport. The crossing will replace the existing pedestrian bridge over the railway towards Kantsi Street.
The Port of Rotterdam Authority summarized its year-end results, noting signs of recovery across all segments in the second half of the year, despite significant pressure on chemical and logistics companies. Over the past 12 months, several chemical companies announced production closures in Rotterdam, and investments in new and ongoing projects, primarily in the renewable fuels sector, were suspended. The company assessed that the Dutch government’s measures adopted in 2025 were positive but insufficient to level the competitive playing field with the rest of Europe, while competition from China remains strong. Against this backdrop, the port authority’s financial results remained stable, with investment volume amounting to €291.4 million.
