Austrian logistics company Innofreight is to use Nexxiot’s Globehopper sensors to provide onboard tracking and cloud-based data analytics services on its fleet of more than 1 000 wagons. ‘Using the predictive intelligence provided by data sets, we are able to optimise supply chain management for our customers’, said Isabella Legat, CEO of Innofreight IT Solutions.
Thailand’s Department of Rail Transport has announced plans to develop an international rail freight terminal and transhipment facility at Nong Khai on the border with Laos to handle traffic on the future line from China. A rail-only bridge over the River Mekong is also planned to replace the current route which is shared with road traffic.
Siemens Mobility is to supply ETCS onboard equipment for 100 Vossloh Locomotives DM20 Dual Mode hybrid locomotives intended for cross-border operation in the Netherlands, Germany and Austria. ‘Equipping our eco-friendly DM20 with ETCS Level 2 is already making us a part of this sustainable future, and awarding Siemens the order marks the start of a long-term partnership in the ETCS field’, said Dr Bernd Hoppe, General Manager of Vossloh Locomotives.
Hong Kong listed COSCO Shipping Ports has acquired a 35% stake in the HHLA Container Terminal Tollerort in Hamburg, which will become COSCO’s preferred European transhipment point, while remaining open to all shipping lines. CTT is one of three HHLA container terminals at the Port of Hamburg. It has four berths, 14 container gantry cranes and five rail tracks.
Demetra-Holding’s Rusagrotrans has awarded United Wagon Co a contract to supply 500 grain hopper wagons by the end of 2021. They will have a capacity of 76·5 tonnes and 101 m3, and will support an increase in the mechanisation of loading and unloading. ‘In just one year, the company’s direct shipment volume has grown from 257 000 tonnes to 1·1 million tonnes, which is almost 10% of all grain export shipments in the 2020-21 season’, said Alexei Gribanov, President of Rusagrotrans. ’To maintain this growth rate requires transformations relating to modernisation of rolling stock, digitalisation of services and synergy with other companies in the group.’
AD Ports Group has signed a memorandum of understanding for co-operation with the General Company for Ports of Iraq, including the exchange of expertise and best practices and studies for the development of rail and road infrastructure connecting Al Faw Port in Iraq with destinations in Jordan and Turkey.
Euro Cargo Rail has been renamed DB Cargo France, emphasising its positon as one of 17 national companies in DB Cargo’s network.
Wolfgang Küpper has been re-elected as head of the Secretariat of the Intergovernmental Organisation for International Carriage by Rail for a second three-year term. His tasks include leading a major renovation of OTIF’s headquarters building, and defining and implementing a long-term strategy based on sustainable development, safety and the further harmonisation of railway law.
The amount of freight moved across Great Britain’s rail network has returned to pre-pandemic levels according to statistics published by the Office of Rail & Road. The regulator’s Freight Rail Usage & Performance figures show that in Q1 2021-22 from April to June a total of 4∙33 billion net tonne-kilometres of freight was moved, an increase of 36·5% on Q1 2020-21 and up 1·3% on Q1 2019-20. Construction products increased the most, driven by high levels of demand for aggregates for High Speed 2 construction work.
Sheri Edison has been elected to Union Pacific’s board with effect from December 1. She most recently served as executive Vice-President & General Counsel for food, medical, home and personal care company Amcor until her retirement in June, and ‘brings strong leadership experience across a unique combination of sectors to our board’, said UP Chairman, President & CEO Lance Fritz.
The North American Rail Shippers Association has elected officers for 2021-22: President Patrick McGrath (McGrath Ground Logistics), First Vice-President Bruce C Mann (Port of Houston), Second Vice-President John Meyers (DM Bowman Co), Secretary Kate Luce (Mississippi Export Railroad), Treasurer Ray Hufnagel (Plastic Express) and Immediate Past President Tom Tisa (CSX).
