River

The European shipping company Evropská vodní doprava-Sped. s. r. o. (EVD) was the first to resume cargo transportation on the Elbe after the partial collapse of the Carola Bridge in Dresden. The convoy, consisting of the cargo ship DICK and the towed barge DICK 1, left the port of Lovosice with a cargo of generators and fertilizers. This breakthrough was made possible by the joint efforts of businesses from Dresden, the Czech Republic, Saxon politicians and the Elbe Alliance.

The largest Ro-Ro terminal for handling new cars has opened on the Yangtze River in China. The operator of the facility is Haitong Taicang, a joint venture between Shanghai Port International Group (SIPG), Jiangsu Port Logistics Group and Chinese auto giant SAIC Motor.

According to a decision by the Hamburg City Parliament, the new bridge in the Hamburg port area should be 73.5 metres high and open to traffic by 2040. Potential accelerations of the project implementation process are currently being assessed.

The Government of Ukraine has allocated significant funds for the development of river transport. The approved draft state budget for 2025 provides for the allocation of UAH 409.1 million for the maintenance, reconstruction and development of inland waterways and river transport infrastructure.

Every year, strengthening works are carried out on the Khorgos River to prevent possible threats from floods and adverse weather conditions. Key infrastructure facilities, including railway and road bridges, as well as the Khorgos ICBC, are at risk. As a result of extreme heat, alternating with showers, the condition of the river is constantly monitored.

In Lithuania, a batch of export grain was delivered to the port of Klaipeda along the Neman River for the first time. The barge, which carried a thousand tons of grain, departed from the Jurbarkas river port, which was an important step in the development of water transport in the country.

In July 2024, contractor Rizzani de Eccher began a new stage of construction of the Rail Baltica bridge over the Neris River near Jonava, delivering steel sheet piles to the site. These works will create a temporary protective perimeter, which will allow for the safe installation of the bridge supports. Once the work is completed, the perimeter will be dismantled.

China has completed construction of a unique transport network of tunnels and bridges connecting Shenzhen and Zhongshan across the mouth of the Pearl River. The seven-year project involves two artificial islands connected by an underwater tunnel and bridges, with a total route length of 24 kilometers.

Guanzhe Cao, Head of Asia, duisport Group, duisport – Duisburger Hafen AG, began his speech by saying that Duisburg is significantly different from traditional seaports such as Hamburg or Cologne. In contrast to these vast isolated port areas dedicated exclusively to port traffic, the Port of Duisburg operates as a river port located in the very center of the city. This unique integration into the urban landscape covers 1,550 hectares, including several logistics areas, highlighting the port’s vital role as a land and port authority. Duisburg is not just a landlord, but a comprehensive service provider for its clients and partners.

After careful consideration, the Hamburg Senate has decided to proceed with the construction of a new bridge for the Köhlbrand crossing, as revealed in a recently published document. The decision comes as the existing Köhlbrand Bridge nears the end of its operational life and requires replacement.