In January–February 2026, Kazakhstan’s transport sector demonstrated growth. According to the Bureau of National Statistics, the physical volume index of services in the “Transport and Warehousing” sector was 110.7% compared to the same period in 2025. In January, this figure reached 105.1%, and in February, 110.7%, indicating a gradual recovery and strengthening of business activity in the sector.
Port dues and tariffs in Ukraine remain among the highest in the Black Sea region and globally compared to other ports, according to Mauro Longobardo, CEO of ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih. He stated that freight costs continue to rise, but the company has not received any signals about a sharp increase in port tariffs. Meanwhile, the current level of port dues already significantly exceeds those of many foreign ports.
The Port of Rotterdam Authority intends to accelerate the development of hydrogen energy import infrastructure, but investment decisions on terminal construction are currently being delayed. To identify key challenges and potential solutions, the port held consultations with market participants. These consultations revealed that companies face a number of financial and non-financial risks that are hindering investment in import terminals and conversion facilities for hydrogen carriers such as ammonia.
During a working visit to the Abay region, Kazakhstan’s Vice Minister of Transport Zhanibek Taizhanov held a meeting on the implementation of the Bakhty-Ayagoz railway project. The meeting was also attended by the region’s Deputy Akim, Serik Tulenbergenov, representatives of JSC NC Kazakhstan Temir Zholy, the Samruk-Kazyna Fund, the general contractor, China Harbour Engineering Company Ltd., and the design organization. The parties discussed the current construction progress and coordination among all project participants.
International port and logistics operator DP World reported record financial results for the full year 2025. Revenue grew 22% to $24.4 billion, while adjusted EBITDA increased 18% to $6.4 billion, with a margin of 26.3%. The growth was primarily driven by strong performance in the ports and terminals divisions, as well as the logistics business. Total group gross cargo throughput increased 5.8% to 93.4 million TEU.
Over the past seven years, shipments along the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR) have increased nearly fivefold, from 0.8 million tons to 4.5 million tons per year. According to the relevant department, this growth trend became particularly noticeable after 2022: while shipment volumes in 2019 were 759,000 tons, in 2020 – 783,000 tons, in 2021 – 586,000 tons, in 2022 the figure rose to 1.485 million tons, in 2023 – to 2.764 million tons, and in 2024 – to 4.484 million tons. By the end of 2025, 4.119 million tons of cargo had been transported along the route.
Globalization remains at a historically high level despite rising geopolitical tensions, increased US tariffs, and uncertainty in global trade policy. This is the conclusion reached by experts in the new DHL Global Connectedness Report 2026, prepared jointly by DHL and the Stern School of Business at New York University. The report is based on an analysis of over 9 million indicators of international trade, capital, information, and people flows. According to analysts, the level of globalization in 2025 will be 25% on a scale from 0 to 100%—the same as the record year of 2022. Moreover, global trade turnover in 2025 will grow faster than any year since 2017 (excluding the pandemic), fueled in particular by shipments of goods related to the development of artificial intelligence.
Logistics company METRANS, part of Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA), has completed the acquisition of a 50% stake in the Afluent multimodal terminal in Arad, Romania, located near the border with Hungary. The investment is aimed at strengthening the company’s position in the multimodal transportation market in Southeastern Europe.
German companies are increasingly facing uncertainty in their economic relations with the United States. This is evidenced by the results of the “Going International 2026” study conducted by the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHK), which surveyed nearly 2,400 companies operating internationally. According to the survey, 67% of companies cite trade and political uncertainty as the main challenge in working with the US market. Other key factors include rising customs and bureaucratic costs (54%), financial market instability and currency risks (48%), the possible introduction of a 15% basic tariff (44%), and US export restrictions and sanctions affecting third countries (41%).
FHP Intermodal (CFI) will launch a twice-weekly intermodal rail service linking northern Italy with Bari and Catania from 9 March 2026.
