As part of his official visit to Latvia, French Foreign Minister Stéphane Barrot participated in a flower-laying ceremony at the Freedom Monument, visited the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and held a joint press conference on the current international agenda. Discussions focused on support for Ukraine, cooperation with the EU and NATO, transatlantic relations, and regional security issues.
The European road freight sector is gradually recovering from the 2023 recession, but the recovery remains weak and uneven, according to ING analysis. While demand for freight began to grow in 2025, total tonne-kilometer volumes remain on average 1.5% below pre-crisis peaks. The bank forecasts that demand for road freight in Europe will increase by approximately 1% in 2026, with significant variation across countries, segments, and fleet structures.
Logistics company DACHSER is investing in the expansion of its Hegau-Bodensee hub in Steißlingen, located near Switzerland. The project will include the construction of a new 8,950 m² warehouse with a storage capacity of 22,000 pallets. The company will also modernize its existing transit terminals for handling industrial and consumer goods, as well as food products, to meet growing demand from customers in the industrial and retail sectors. Completion is scheduled for early 2027, with the creation of 30 to 50 new jobs.
On January 29, in Tbilisi, Rovshan Rustamov, Chairman of Azerbaijan Railways CJSC (ADY), a subsidiary of AZCON Holding, met with Lasha Abashidze, Director General of Georgian Railways JSC, and Tamara Ioseliani, Deputy Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia. The parties discussed the current state and prospects of bilateral cooperation in rail transport.
On January 29, in Tbilisi, BTKI Railways LLC, a joint venture between Azerbaijan Railways (ADY) and Marabda-Kartsakhi Railway LLC, signed a package of agreements with Georgian Railways JSC aimed at fully operationalizing the joint management of transportation on the Baku–Tbilisi–Kars (BTK) railway line.
The European rail industry association UNIFE stated that the lack of stable investment and a harmonized regulatory framework threatens the global competitiveness of European rail equipment manufacturers and suppliers, and calls into question the achievement of decarbonization goals. According to the association, annual investments of €46 billion are needed to transition to eco-friendly rolling stock and maintain the industry’s position.
The Port of Antwerp-Bruges operated in 2025 amid geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainty, and widespread industrial action. The war in Ukraine, trade conflicts between the US, Europe, and China, congestion at container terminals, and approximately 25 days of strikes put pressure on the entire logistics chain. At the end of the year, seaborne cargo throughput amounted to 266.5 million tonnes, a 4.1% decrease from 2024, but still comparable to previous years. Losses due to strikes are estimated at 2.4 million tonnes, or approximately 1% of annual turnover.
The Almaty branch of the main railway network completed 2025 with solid performance results, ensuring the stable operation of one of Kazakhstan’s key railway arteries. Key routes connecting the south of the country with other regions and neighboring countries, including the Dostyk and Altynkol international border crossings, pass through the region. Throughout the year, a primary focus was on traffic safety, service quality, and the implementation of modern technological solutions. The number of safety incidents decreased to two, compared to three the previous year, and the failure rate of technical devices remained at the 2024 level.
Azerbaijan Railways (ADY), part of the AZCON holding, and Turkish State Railways (TCDD) signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at developing bilateral cooperation in the railway sector. The document was signed by ADY Chairman Rovshan Rustamov and TCDD CEO and Chairman of the Board Veysi Kurt.
In the first 12 months of 2025, 161.3 million tons of freight were transported by rail in Ukraine, a decrease of 13.6 million tons, or 7.8%, compared to 2024. Domestic shipments accounted for almost half of this volume – 74.5 million tons, or 46.2% of the total. Exports amounted to 74 million tons (45.9%), imports – 12.3 million tons (7.6%), and transit shipments remained minimal, reaching 0.5 million tons.
