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PTC Cargo, a subsidiary of PTC Holding, has entered into a memorandum of cooperation with Jiangsu International Rail Freight Express Co., opening new horizons for jointly promoting assets and strengthening multimodal transport between China and Southeast Asia. According to the memorandum, the companies will work to develop the terminals of the PTC Holding group and use market demand to expand cooperation in rail, road and sea transportation.

MG Real Estate and Yusen Logistics Benelux have unveiled a cutting-edge pharmaceutical warehouse in Gembloux, Wallonia. Spanning 40,000 m², this facility is the largest biopharmaceutical logistics center in Wallonia and features advanced technologies such as autonomous mobile robots and automated packaging systems. The warehouse, which runs entirely on green energy and holds a BREEAM “Very Good” certification, will enable Belgium’s leading pharmaceutical company to store and export millions of vaccines and raw materials to over 160 countries. The inauguration was graced by Willy Borsus, Vice-President of the Walloon Government and Minister of Economy & Research.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Murat Nurtleu held a meeting with representatives of foreign companies, including the management of the Finnish company Nurminen Logistics Plc.

Pavel Lagov, Director of Product Management (CIS), Rail Solutions International, Hellmann Worldwide Logistics Germany, shared that the company’s initial attempts to use the Middle Corridor were not very successful. They were trying to transport cargo from China to Europe for one of the world’s largest OEM suppliers, but their expectations for transit time and financial results were significantly lower than realistic. Many companies that have tried this route have encountered serious problems. The main reasons were bottlenecks and insufficient infrastructure in key locations such as Baku and Aktau, which seriously complicated logistics.

Jondari Kemularia, General Director of Marine Shipping and Forwarding LTD, noted that Georgia enjoys a high strategic position as a gateway to the Caucasus and Central Asia. It is a reliable transit corridor for the free movement of goods between the Caucasus and Europe, as well as between European countries and Central Asia. The Georgian transport economy is mainly transit-oriented.

Rashad Shakarov, Founder and CEO of Azerbaijan Maritime Engineering and Construction Group of Companies, emphasized that Azerbaijan is located in the heart of the Middle Corridor, which is an important part of the 11,000-kilometer China-Europe route. This route passes through the Caspian Sea and Azerbaijan, connecting directly with Europe. AMEC therefore seeks to locate its vessels in the Caspian Sea for transport from Kazakhstan to the port of Baku.

System solutions in the transport industry fundamentally change traditional approaches. Alina Zhizhina, Director of the International Relations and Marketing Department at SIGIS, is confident that an important element of such changes is real-time tracking, management of transport processes and logistics tasks. This allows customers to reduce transportation costs and improve overall company productivity.

Marc Hunziker, Head of Asset and Sales Coordination, Intermodal Product and Business Development at VTG Rail Europe GmbH, noted that current discussions revolve around the critical environmental and logistics challenges facing the transport sector, highlighting the need for comprehensive solutions that go beyond just reducing CO2 emissions . Participants highlight the importance of the regulatory framework in Europe and the wider social impact on future generations, emphasizing that environmental responsibility goes beyond emissions control.

Stephen Archer, CEO of Baltic Rail, said that after the COVID-19 pandemic, the world has experienced significant changes. First there was the conflict in Ukraine, followed by large-scale political movements on environmental issues aimed at creating a greener supply chain. Now we are faced with a crisis in the Red Sea. It’s also worth noting that artificial intelligence has become an important part of our lives, and many of us are still just beginning to adapt to these changes.

Tabea Klang, General Manager of DB Cargo Eurasia, discussed the topic of market changes and projects. DB Cargo Eurasia is a key player in the logistics sector, offering vital solutions for rail transport between China and Europe. Their services have become increasingly important due to various geopolitical events such as the Red Sea crisis and disruptions in the Suez Canal, which have threatened traditional supply chains. Demand for rail freight from China has increased over the past six to seven years, although it has fallen in 2023. However, recent crises have reaffirmed the importance of rail solutions, prompting more customers to seek long-term rail transport options.