The Canadian government is providing C$250 000 to support the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority in assessing real-time information on the performance of rail freight to and from the Port of Vancouver. A concept phase will focus on the grain and fertiliser sectors, and address data quality issues. ‘This project will provide access to information to support the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority's rail network planning and infrastructure to further develop trade movement’, said Minister of Transport Marc Garneau. ‘This will contribute to higher volumes of trade with Asia for the economic benefit of all Canadians.’
Renfe Mercancías has reported traffic of 9∙9 million tonnes for the first six months of 2017, up 10% from 9∙0 million tonnes last year. According to the Spanish national operator, moving from a loss of €9∙5m in the first half of 2016 to EBITDA of €0∙2m this year demonstrates that its 2017-19 management plan (RG 5.17 p10) is on course to return the business to profit.
Bulgaria’s Ministries of Transport and Economy are discussing the development of an intermodal terminal in the Bozhurishte industrial zone near Sofia. The government hopes to create more than 30 000 jobs in the area, and suburban rail services or a metro extension are also proposed.
Canadian Pacific has launched seven-days-per-week direct service between Vancouver and Detroit via Portal, North Dakota, which it said has cut transit times from the West Coast to Detroit by as much as 48 h compared with competitors. ‘We've worked hard to reshape our footprint in the Vancouver area to improve efficiency and boost capacity‘, said John Brooks, CP’s Senior Vice-President & Chief Marketing Officer.‘With our live-lift operation in Portal, we can expedite service and truly exploit the strengths of our network to provide unparalleled service and value in the Vancouver – Detroit lane.‘
On August 15 KTZ and Nippon Express signed memoranda of co-operation to develop the transport of containers from China, Japan and Korea to Central Asia, Europe and the Caucasus via Kazakhstan.
On August 16 Union Pacific commenced a management and administrative personnel reorganisation to be complete by the end of September which will affect up to 750 employees. This is expected to provide $110m in annual productivity savings.
Following a trial run of a container train service between China’s Guangzhou province and Hanoi in Vietnam, Haraco, China Railway International Group, Da Shun Fa and Trung Viet Co have agreed to operate trains each way every two days. The main traffic is expected to be machinery and high-value electronics.
RZD Logistics has opened a warehouse complex in Yekaterinburg for processing small consignments from China.
