Israel Railways has begun using specially equipped wagons for the double-deck transport of steel coil from the Haifa to Kiryat-Gat. This doubles capacity to 2 000 tonnes of coil per train.
Willke Logistics has expanded its bulk transport capacity by leasing 35 new Greenbrier-built Eamnos open wagons from Ermewa. They will be used in northern Germany, mainly for transporting gravel. ‘We are delighted to welcome Willke Logistics, another fast-growing rail freight operator, to our customer portfolio’, said Cyrille Guyon, Deputy General Manager of the leasing company. ‘The decision to opt for our modern Eamnos wagons underscores their performance and efficiency in transporting construction materials.’
Announcing the publication of its European Rail Freight Transport Market 2025 study, consultancy SCI Verkehr said says ’European rail freight transport is amid a profound crisis. Disruptions in US foreign policy and shifts in global trade are colliding with an industry already facing structural weaknesses. Key causes include declining demand for traditional goods, insufficiently digitalised infrastructure and increasing transformation pressure from EU competition policy. Profitable companies remain the exception, and rail continues to lose market share to road transport.’
Kazakhstan’s KTZ and China Railway have signed a strategic co-operation agreement to replace the previous one from 2014. Plans include developing traffic on the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, with priorities include increasing container traffic and digitalisation of cross-border processes.
On June 12 the European Association of Logistics Platforms and UIRR signed a memorandum of understanding to tackle common challenges with the aim of streamlining modal integration, reducing emissions and enhancing operational resilience.
Spanish infrastructure manager ADIF has awarded Ferrovial Construcción a €8·8m contract for tracklaying and electrification on a new 8·3 km dual gauge, single track branch from the Mediterranean Corridor to Castelló de la Plana port. Completion is scheduled for late 2026.
The supervisory board of Häfen & Güterverkehr Köln has appointed Steffen Bauer as Chair of the managment board from October 1, suceeding Uwe Wedig who is retiring,
ADIF has awarded Comsa a €12·8m, 11-month contract to ensure there is sufficient clearance beneath underbridges between Bobadilla, Córdoba and Santa Cruz de Mudela on the future Algeciras – Zaragoza ‘rail motorway’ route. Some bridges will require repositioning of the contact wire, nine will require lowering the trackbed and two will require structural works. Two more underbridges will be replaced.
Tajikistan expressed interest in joining the China – Kyrgyzstan – Uzbekistan railway project during the 12th Meeting of Transport Ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.
ADIF has awarded Acciona and Syneox a €20·8m 14-month contract to lengthen passing loops at Fernán Núñez, Montilla and Puente Genil stations on the Córdoba – Bobdilla line to 750 m.
The EU Agency for Railways has granted Portuguese operator Medway a Single Safety Certificate, enabling it to operate in France. ‘The granting of this certificate is the conclusion of an evaluation procedure undertaken by Medway’s teams in Portugal, Spain and France’, said Medway Director-General Bruno Silva. ’It is a highly significant step forward for Medway. The Single Safety Certificate is not only valid for technical and operational activities, but also enables our activities to expand sustainably into the rest of the European rail network.’ Medway is working with the Zaragoza-based Aragón Logistics Cluster to launch international freight services linking Portugal and northern France towards the end of 2025.