The Shanghai Research and Design Institute of China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) has received in-principle approval for the construction of a dual-fuel container ship powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) with a capacity of 27,500 TEU. This is 3,000 TEUs larger than the largest existing ships owned by Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), which have a capacity of 24,346 TEUs.
Representatives of Aktau International Airport visited Port Kuryk LLP to get acquainted with the infrastructure of the ferry complex and its activities. The visit was aimed at strengthening interaction between the transport hubs of the region and studying the potential for joint development.
Kazakhstan and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) are stepping up cooperation in the transport sector by discussing public-private partnership projects. At a meeting with Vice Minister of Transport Talgat Lastayev, representatives of IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, discussed joint initiatives in the railway and aviation sectors.
DHL Express is increasing investment in transport and sorting capacity ahead of the year-end peak season, expecting demand for express services to increase. The company is investing more than €100 million in the fourth quarter to support its customers’ growth, and is also expanding its fleet with eight new Boeing 777 freighters. Global e-commerce is expected to grow by 8.8% in 2024, remaining a key driver of volume, while B2B shipments are gradually recovering.
A meeting was held in Baku between the Secretary General of the Permanent Secretariat of the TRACECA Intergovernmental Commission Asset Assavbayev and the new National Secretary of TRACECA in Azerbaijan Fariz Aliyev. The main focus was on Azerbaijan’s participation in ongoing TRACECA projects and prospects for cooperation in the development of the Europe-Caucasus-Asia international transport corridor.
The CHERISH2O (CHEmical industry water Reuse In a Sustainable Harbour) project has been launched in the Port of Antwerp. The Port of Antwerp-Bruges, VITO, essenscia, VMM and Antea Group are working with 12 companies, including Ashland, BASF, Bayer, ExxonMobil and TotalEnergies, to explore the possibility of large-scale wastewater treatment for reuse in production. This will help reduce water consumption and mitigate the risk of water shortages in drought conditions.
President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev expressed hope for Germany’s support in connecting the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route to the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) and the Global Gateway strategy. He said this at a meeting of the heads of state of Central Asia and Germany.
The 200th container train along the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR) arrived in Aktau. It departed from the Kazakhstan-China terminal in Xi’an and was heading to Azerbaijan. This route has become an important part of the logistics chain between China and Europe.
Transportation and logistics company HMM plans to invest more than $17.5 billion in its business development by 2030. About $8.1 billion will be spent on maintaining the existing container fleet of 130 vessels with a total capacity of 1.55 million TEU. The company also plans to acquire about 70 eco-friendly vessels to meet the growing demand for “green” transportation.
In August, when the Rhine Valley Railway was completely closed, the diesel shuttles on the left bank of the Rhine showed their best side. Around 20 freight trains per day travelled the route through Alsace thanks to an initiative organised using diesel locomotives on the non-electrified line Wörth-Lauterbourg-Strasbourg-Offenburg. This highlights the need to expand the tracks on the left bank of the Rhine in France to ensure the stability of combined transport on the north-south axis.
