Development Manager at GP Intermodal (part of the GRAMPET Group), Yedil Yelibayev presented impressive growth statistics for the Middle Corridor at the BLACK SEA TRANSPORT CORRIDORS 2026: PORTS, RAILWAYS, SHIPPING conference. Container traffic surged from 40,500 TEU in 2023 to a projected 95,000 TEU in 2026. The number of block trains from China increased by 35% in just one year.
Bucharest, Romania – From May 18 to 20, 2026, the European freight forwarding community will converge in Bucharest for a landmark industry event: the European Freight Forwarders Congress. Held under the prestigious patronage of FIATA, this event combines the 16th SEEFF Congress (South Eastern European Freight Forwarders Association) and the 2nd FIATA REU Field Meeting (Region Europe).
Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL) held a naming ceremony for its new vessel, the OOCL Wisdom – the first in a series of seven container ships. The event took place at the Nantong COSCO KHI Ship Engineering (NACKS) shipyard, where the vessel was officially christened in the presence of industry representatives and guests.
Alexandru Nicola: Deputy Commercial Director of Unicom Tranzit, Alexandru Nicola, brought a dose of self-criticism to the panel discussion of the BLACK SEA TRANSPORT CORRIDORS 2026: PORTS, RAILWAYS, SHIPPING conference, noting that service providers still prevail at conferences, rather than real cargo owners.
The regional operating environment is being shaped by the conflict in the Middle East, which continues to disrupt both maritime and air cargo flows. Against this backdrop, intra-regional trade within Asia is demonstrating resilience; however, extended transit routes necessitate heightened flexibility, transparency, and integrated logistics solutions. Experts note that the ability to rapidly adapt routes and maintain supply stability has emerged as a critical success factor.
Head of Port Development at Mukran, Helmut Seilert, presented a unique concept of connecting two seas at the BLACK SEA TRANSPORT CORRIDORS 2026: PORTS, RAILWAYS, SHIPPING conference.
Talgat Aldybergenov, Chairman of the Management Board of JSC NC Kazakhstan Temir Zholy, held a meeting with Huawei’s top management—Philippe Gan, President of the Middle East and Central Asia Region, and Derek Hao, President of Enterprise Sales for the region. The primary focus of the negotiations was the development of digital solutions aimed at enhancing the efficiency of freight transportation management.
On April 24, 2026, KiwiRail opened its new Waltham Maintenance Hub in Christchurch; this event coincided with the unveiling of the new DM-series locomotives, destined for operation on the South Island. Construction of the facility was funded through a government investment of NZ$110 million (€61 million), while NZ$533 million (€297 million) was allocated for the purchase of 66 DM-series locomotives from Stadler.
Director of Strategic Projects and Network Development at Hupac Intermodal S.A. Alberto Grisone, speaking at the BLACK SEA TRANSPORT CORRIDORS 2026: PORTS, RAILWAYS, SHIPPING conference, highlighted a critical issue in Romania’s rail sector – the ongoing decline in transport speed. According to him, while in 2012 a freight train crossed Romania in around 21 hours, today the same transit takes 27–30 hours. He stressed that the industry needs to return to a benchmark of 18 hours in order to make the Constanța corridor truly competitive.
Under the leadership of “Port Kuryk” CEO Erkin Nygmetov, the company held a working meeting at which heads of departments presented reports on key areas of activity. During the meeting, production indicators and results achieved were reviewed, objectives for the immediate future were outlined, and issues related to the enterprise’s HR and operational activities were addressed.
