The world’s largest container port, Shanghai, handled over 55 million TEUs by the end of the year, confirming its status as a global industry leader. Year-over-year container throughput growth was 6.9%, 2 percentage points higher than the market average; according to CTS, the market average growth for the first 11 months was estimated at 5%.
A working meeting was held in Astana between Talgat Aldybergenov, Chairman of the Board of JSC NC KTZ, and Armen Gevondyan, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Armenia. The parties discussed the current state and prospects of bilateral cooperation in transport and logistics, as well as opportunities for expanding cooperation between Kazakhstan and Armenia.
A consortium comprising Spanish Ership, German shipping line Aug. Bolten, and Swiss Nova Marine acquired a stake in VCK Port Logistics, acquiring shares from VCK Group. VCK Group announced the deal on January 9. The new partnership also includes Verenigd Cargadoorskantoor and Waterland Terminal. All companies will operate under the management of the Dutch holding company Maja Stuwadoorsgroep, in which Ership and Aug. Bolten/Nova Marine already acquired stakes in February 2025.
By the end of 2025, Ukrainian seaports had fulfilled over 95% of their cargo transshipment plan, handling 82.2 million tons. This was announced by Oleksiy Kuleba, Deputy Prime Minister for Reconstruction of Ukraine and Minister of Communities and Territories Development, who emphasized the port industry’s resilience amid the ongoing war.
In 2025, freight traffic through the Altynkol-Khorgos railway border crossing between Kazakhstan and China exceeded 16.1 million tons, 9% higher than the target agreed upon within the Organization for Cooperation between Railways. This was reported by the press service of JSC NC Kazakhstan Temir Zholy, noting the early and confident fulfillment of planned parameters.
Starting in 2026, road haulers in several European countries will face increased road tolls, an expanded toll network, and a transition to new toll collection models. These changes will affect Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, France, the Netherlands, Romania, and Poland, requiring transport companies to review tariffs, routes, and contract profitability. In many countries, CO₂ emissions will be a key factor in toll calculations, reflecting the pan-European commitment to decarbonizing transport.
Following the December peak in deliveries, the transport and logistics industry is entering a second, equally intense phase of the season – the period of mass returns. According to the Globkurier logistics platform, the volume of returned shipments in January is 25-30% higher than the monthly average. Moreover, over the past three years, the number of shipments classified as “return to sender” has increased by approximately 140%, indicating a stable structural trend associated with the growth of e-commerce.
The Port of Antwerp-Bruges, together with infrastructure operator Infrabel, is implementing a phased rail strategy aimed at developing sustainable port logistics. Electrification of the port’s rail network remains a key priority. In 2025, electrification of the line toward Oorderen was completed, and work on Line 11, leading to Combinant and BASF production facilities, is planned for 2026. This should increase capacity and reduce the carbon footprint of rail transport within the port.
Nova Marine Carriers Group has completed a deal to acquire full control of VCK Port Logistics and the Waterland terminal in the Port of Amsterdam, as part of an agreement with partners Aug Bolten Wm Miller’s Nachfolger and Ership Grupo. According to Nova Marine Carriers, the deal allowed the consortium to consolidate management of a strategic asset, considered the only terminal in Europe capable of handling ships in a fully enclosed environment, 24 hours a day, regardless of weather conditions.
JSC NC Kazakhstan Temir Zholy is implementing a comprehensive program to modernize and build new railway lines as part of the objectives set by the President of Kazakhstan to strengthen the country’s transit and logistics potential. Talgat Aldybergenov, Chairman of the Board of KTZ, emphasized that Kazakhstan’s advantageous geographic location in the center of Eurasia allows for the development of sustainable international transport corridors and the country’s transformation into a key logistics hub between East and West. The railway plays a key role in this regard, ensuring the growth of transit, export traffic, and integration into global supply chains.
