Investments in Swedish rail are a necessity for the country’s industry to flourish. One in four of Sweden’s industrial companies is seriously affected by disruptions, stoppages, or a lack of rail capacity. In the long term, this could hinder the sector’s competitiveness. A quarter of all industrial companies in Sweden are seriously affected by disruptions,…
Category: Infrastructure
Rail Baltica mainline construction takes off in Latvia
Latvia is commencing construction works on the Rail Baltica mainline. The Rail Baltica team and its international partners gathered in Riga to mark the occasion, but uncertainty remains about the final shape Rail Baltica will take. The construction of the 230-kilometre Latvian mainline will take place in stages. Initially, Rail Baltica will be working on…
Europe’s mining giant scrapes for options to secure more rail capacity
LKAB, the largest mining company in Sweden (and Europe), relies heavily on rail freight transport along the Iron Ore Line, which connects the Swedish port of Luleå to the Norwegian port of Narvik. However, the company is in dire need of additional capacity, and it is now considering the option of purchasing buses to remove…
Fuel, electricity and labour costs behind new KTZ cargo fee hikes
Higher fuel, electricity and labour costs are forcing Kazakh Railways’ cargo division (KTZ-GP) to increase its prices. Indebted Kazakh Railways (KTZ) is increasing its prices all across the board, to the dismay of the business community. KTZ is deeply in debt and needs higher income to cover its budget gaps. Even with a fourfold revenue…
Medway to operate three new terminals in Spain by 2025
Medway, MSC’s rail freight subsidiary, will soon start operating three intermodal terminals in the Spanish region of Extremadura, near the border with Portugal. The three facilities are Badajoz, Mérida, Navalmoral de la Mata. The three terminals are all expected to commence operations between October 2024 and March 2025, as Spanish media El Mercantil mentioned. The…
Russia and Belarus to harmonise rail freight tariffs
Russia and Belarus will unify rail tariffs. Reportedly, the two countries are already working on the implementation of the measure. Most likely, it will lower tariffs on the Russian network. Russia and its steadfast ally Belarus are on a path of deepening integration within the framework of the so-called Union State. The two countries are…
Tajikistan looking for 7,5 billion dollars in funding for rail
Tajikistan seems to be hopping onto the bandwagon for rail infrastructure in Central Asia. The country is looking for 7,5 billion dollars (7 billion euros) in investments for its rail network. The Tajik rail infrastructure is underdeveloped yet crucial for the country’s international trade. At an economic forum in the Russian city of Kazan, the…
Middle Corridor countries discussing 50% tariff discount
The Middle Corridor is too expensive as a competitive alternative to other transport corridors that connect Europe and China. In an effort to boost the route’s attractiveness, involved countries are now discussing a fifty per cent discount on tariffs along the route. Five countries that are part of the Middle Corridor are currently taking part…
UK partnership streamlines East Region engineering
Network Rail has been negotiating with engineering firms around the UK. The UK infrastructure agency has signed a wide-ranging, long-term partnership to streamline infrastructure improvement work. The agreements are in place for the next five years. There’s a new initiative in the Anglia region of Network Rail. The Eastern Routes Partnership has signed up a…