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With the introduction of the new 2025/2026 timetable, Frankfurt-based Kombiverkehr KG has undertaken a major modernization of its intermodal rail services between Germany and Spain. The operator has launched optimized direct trains, increased service frequency, and implemented a new operating model focused on greater service flexibility and sustainability for freight forwarders and logistics companies. According to Cébastien Eisner, Sales Manager for Western Europe, the updated concept opens up a “new future” for shipments to Spain, combining high-performance rail service with Kombiverkehr’s presence at the Barcelona Morrot terminal.

Olavion, a company within the Unimot Group, has signed agreements to acquire 60% of the shares in the German railway company RBP-Rheinische Bahnpersonal- und Verkehrsgesellschaft mbH.

In January 2023, construction began on eight elements of a new tunnel under the Scheldt River on the Boudewijn Canal in Zeebrugge. This key infrastructure project completes the Antwerp Ring Road and forms the fourth river crossing, alongside the Kennedy, Waasland, and Liefkenshoek tunnels. For this purpose, the contractor created a dedicated construction yard at the intersection of the Boudewijn Canal and the Verbindingsdok dock – a structure approximately 1 kilometer long and 200 meters wide. At the end of September, the final tunnel element was delivered to Antwerp, after which the construction site fulfilled its primary function.

The Ministry of Communities and Territories Development of Ukraine has announced the launch of a concession tender for the transfer of the First and Container Terminals at the Chornomorsk Seaport, including the Universal and Grain Marine Terminals. The Ministry itself is the concession grantor, and the concession term is set for 40 years. Interested companies will be able to submit applications for participation in the preliminary selection within 75 days of the official publication of the announcement.

A new terminal covering approximately 15 hectares is planned for construction in the northwest corner of Maasvlakte 2 in the Port of Rotterdam for the Dutch Ministry of Defence. The facility will be part of the National Defence Space Programme and will be used for the transhipment and transit of military cargo, including equipment and ammunition. The decision to select Maasvlakte 2 as a priority location was made by the Dutch government on December 19 as part of the approval of key sites for the expansion of the country’s defence infrastructure.

French rail freight recorded continued growth in 2025, with combined transport accounting for ten new rail services launched during the year, according to information released by SNCF Réseau and the Alliance 4F.

Construction of the overpass connecting Tvaika Street with Kundziņsala in Riga continues uninterrupted, even during the winter. By the end of this year, approximately 80% of the total work is planned to be completed. The main stages – concreting the overpass and completing key structural elements – are expected to be completed by the end of the year, with full commissioning scheduled for the 2026 construction season.

Adriatic Gate Container Terminal (AGCT), part of the ICTSI Group, officially unveiled its new super post-Panamax quayside cranes to industry participants at the Port of Rijeka, Croatia. The equipment is already undergoing commissioning and technical testing, and is scheduled to enter full operation before the end of this year.

The Barcelona Combiconnect intermodal terminal in La Llagosta, near Barcelona, ​​has completed the final stage of construction and has entered the initial testing phase. Trial train movements will begin soon, and a fully loaded test train from Antwerp will arrive at the terminal in early January. The testing will include unloading containers and semi-trailers, loading new units, and sending the train back to Belgium.

In 2024, seaports across the European Union handled approximately 3.4 billion tonnes of cargo, which is broadly in line with 2023 levels but remains below the record 2019 figures of 3.6 billion tonnes, according to Eurostat. Bulk and liquid cargo, primarily oil, gas, and coal, accounted for the bulk of transshipment, confirming the continued role of EU ports in facilitating energy and raw material flows.