Business news from the world rail freight market.
Innofreight has developed a Heavy Duty Loading System for the efficient transport of 20 ft containers weighing up to 56 tonnes on lightweight 2×30 ft InnoWaggons which can transport up to 112 tonnes, with integrated ballast plates enabling empty operation without restrictions. In the future it will also be available in combination with the single version of the 30 ft InnoWaggon. Uses include transporting battery energy storage systems for stabilising energy grids; on the route from Koper to Budapest moving 24 modules on 12 2×30 ft InnoWaggons reduces CO₂e emissions by 75% compared to road haulage.
North Korea’s official news service reports that railway workers are taking measures to reduce wagon stoppage time through meticulous management of rolling stock and the application of appropriate operation methods. They have repaired and readjusted loading and unloading equipment and applied efficient working methods to ensure the timely departure of loaded trains.
Vladimír Perný has been appointed Executive Director of Czech state freight operator ČD Cargo.
Wascosa has completed another raise of its existing capex facilities by €300m, which will be used to continue expanding its young and diversified portfolio of more than 22 000 wagons. ‘The successful completion of the third extension on our financing platform confirms the strong confidence into our business model and long-term strategy’,said Chief Investment Officer Benjamin Mehran.
On February 5 Botswana Railways took delivery of 34 soda ash wagons ordered from China in May 2021 which have undergone brake modifications at South African company Transnet Engineering.
SBB Cargo International has begun operations in Austria, adding to its activities in Switzerland, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and France to provide additional routing options for freight, particularly during capacity constraints or closures elsewhere. The operator said ‘we are further developing our cross-border connections and strengthening our role as an internationally networked provider in European rail freight transport. For our customers, this means even greater flexibility.’
Vossloh is supplying Australian Rail Track Corp with 250 000 concrete sleepers for a A$150m project to increase speeds and axleloads on the 170 km Maroona to Portland line which is important for the export of grain and other goods from Victoria. Vossloh will supply 220 000 sleepers from its plant in Wagga Wagga and a further 30 000 from Geelong by August 2027.
KTZ Express has undertaken a pilot shipment of broken rice from Kazakhstan to Belgium via the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route using rail and sea on the Kyzylorda – Aktau Port – Poti Port – Antwerpen Port route. Sea transport from Poti to Antwerpen was provided by CMA CGM Group. Shipments were previously overland via Russia and Belarus, but the TITR offers lower costs with a comparable transit time of approximately 30 days.
Hupac Group has appointed Britta Weber as CEO from July 1. She is currently Vice-President Healthcare Europe and Asia at UPS Healthcare, and succeeds Michail Stahlhut. Hupac said Weber was an internationally experienced leader with proven expertise in logistics, supply chain management and organisational development, who has worked in all of its main markets. ‘Hupac stands for much more than a successful company; it has a clear social mission: sustainable logistics and the consistent shift of transport to rail’, said Weber.
Aurizon Holdings has appointed Ian Wells as Chief Financial Officer & Group Executive Strategy from April 7. He spent 13 years at Fortescue Metals Group from 2010-23. ‘His expertise will be instrumental as we continue to optimise our portfolio, allocate capital with discipline and invest in long-term growth’, said Managing Director & CEO Andrew Harding.