Logistics company METRANS, part of Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA), has completed the acquisition of a 50% stake in the Afluent multimodal terminal in Arad, Romania, located near the border with Hungary. The investment is aimed at strengthening the company’s position in the multimodal transportation market in Southeastern Europe.
German companies are increasingly facing uncertainty in their economic relations with the United States. This is evidenced by the results of the “Going International 2026” study conducted by the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHK), which surveyed nearly 2,400 companies operating internationally. According to the survey, 67% of companies cite trade and political uncertainty as the main challenge in working with the US market. Other key factors include rising customs and bureaucratic costs (54%), financial market instability and currency risks (48%), the possible introduction of a 15% basic tariff (44%), and US export restrictions and sanctions affecting third countries (41%).
The Port of Rotterdam is seeing significant changes in the structure of global container trade by the end of 2025. According to data from the Port Authority and analysis presented in the Container Market Outlook 2026 report, container imports continue to grow, while exports remain weak, exacerbating the imbalance in the shipping system. Despite growing geopolitical and logistical challenges, Rotterdam maintains its status as Europe’s largest container hub. As Frank van der Laan, Senior Advisor for Business Analytics at the Port Authority, noted, these changes are already impacting cargo volumes, the structure of trade flows, and the functioning of the port system.
JSC NC Kazakhstan Temir Zholy is implementing an automated rail transportation planning system that will eliminate duplicate requests from shippers and the inflated declared volumes. According to the company, more than 30 rolling stock owners have already signed up for the new system. Transportation requests will now be accepted only with confirmation from railcar operators and actual consignees, which should improve planning transparency and the efficiency of infrastructure use.
DP World has begun handling cargo on a new intermodal rail route connecting the company’s terminal in Novi Sad with its logistics hub in Herne, located in the Rhine-Ruhr industrial region. The service, operated by Austrian transport company LKW Walter, offers three departures per week. The journey time is approximately 45 hours, making it faster than traditional long-distance road transport and reducing carbon emissions by up to 80%. The Novi Sad terminal is the first in Serbia to offer regular intermodal rail service to Western Europe.
Kazakhstan intends to increase container traffic along the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route to 300,000 TEU by 2029, according to the country’s Ministry of Transport. Over the past seven years, cargo traffic along the route has increased fivefold – from 0.8 million tons to 4.5 million tons per year, demonstrating the corridor’s growing role in international logistics.
Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remains significantly restricted amid persistent security risks. US authorities have announced the launch of a $20 billion reinsurance program designed to encourage shipping companies to return to the route. Washington believes the new scheme should reduce insurance risks and support the restoration of cargo flows through one of the world’s key energy and trade corridors.
FHP Intermodal (CFI) will launch a twice-weekly intermodal rail service linking northern Italy with Bari and Catania from 9 March 2026.
Representatives of Hamburg’s port and maritime industry, as part of an official delegation from the Senate of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, visited India, where they held a series of meetings with partners in Chennai, Mumbai, and New Delhi. The main goal of the visit was to develop dialogue and expand cooperation in port logistics and maritime transport. The delegation was led by Dr. Melanie Leonhard, Senator for Economic Affairs, Labor, and Innovation in Hamburg. Also participating were Jens Meyer, CEO of the Hamburg Port Authority and President of the International Association of Ports and Harbors; Hendrik Meyn, Head of Port of Hamburg Marketing; and representatives of the maritime industry.
On March 3, Silkway CA, a joint venture of the international PTC Holding group, signed an EPC contract in Tashkent with China Railway Construction Engineering Group for the construction of the first phase of a multi-functional modern logistics center. The project will be one of the largest private infrastructure projects in Central Asia and is aimed at developing regional logistics infrastructure.
