CargoBeamer secures 65 million euros for railway expansion
CargoBeamer has secured a 65-million-euro investment from Orion Infrastructure Capital, bringing the total capital raised in the past twelve months to 205 million euros. The funding will support the construction of new terminals in Kaldenkirchen, Germany, and Domodossola, Italy, with work scheduled between 2025 and 2026. CargoBeamer's technology enables the automated transfer of semi-trailers onto trains in less than twenty minutes, cutting CO₂ emissions by 85%. The new hubs will strengthen the rail network between Germany, Italy, and France, contributing to the shift of freight transport from road to rail.
New TIR route shortens transit times between China and Dubai
Pakistan's National Logistics Corporation has successfully completed the first freight transport operation from the Kashgar TIR Logistics Hub in China to Dubai, United Arab Emirates, reducing transit times from 30 to 15 days. Industrial vehicles carrying electronic equipment departed from the hub after customs formalities, crossing the Khunjerab Pass and reaching the Port of Karachi, from where the goods were shipped by sea to Dubai. NLC plans to use this route for over a thousand vehicles annually. Meanwhile, the Kashgar TIR Logistics Hub, the first of its kind in China, is expanding connections to Turkmenistan and Europe, with new routes planned for 2025.
Nippon Express completes acquisition of Simon Hegele
Nippon Express Holdings has announced the completion of its acquisition of shares in SH HoldCo, the parent company of German logistics group Simon Hegele, effective from 3 February 2025. Founded in 1920 and headquartered in Karlsruhe, Simon Hegele specialises in logistics for the global healthcare sector. The acquisition strengthens NX Group's presence in this segment, integrating Simon Hegele’s logistics capabilities with Nippon Express’s international network. The objective is to offer enhanced end-to-end solutions and strategic synergies for customers in healthcare, industrial, and retail sectors.
FedEx case, Uiltrasporti calls for a shorter supply chain to ensure sector legality
Uiltrasporti has weighed in on the FedEx case following investigations into alleged irregularities in the logistics sector. The union highlights the need for a shorter supply chain to counter unfair practices that negatively impact both direct and indirect workers. The new National Collective Labour Agreement includes provisions to ensure compliance with procurement regulations, while since 2018, Uiltrasporti has been advocating for the application of reverse charge VAT. Pending further developments in the investigation, the union hopes that job losses will not escalate, especially following the recent restructuring that led to the closure of six branches.
Fita CNA urges Government intervention on truck cartel compensation
Fita CNA has expressed strong dissatisfaction with the slow progress of compensation efforts against the truck manufacturers’ cartel and is calling for urgent government intervention. The initiative, which involves over three thousand transport companies, has been recognised by the Competition Authority as the best campaign in favour of market competition. However, eight years after the first lawsuit was filed, no ruling on the merits has yet been issued. "This stagnation undermines businesses' trust in the Italian justice system," Fita CNA emphasises, highlighting the disparity with other European countries.
Afghanistan invests 264 million dollars in a new railway corridor
Afghan authorities have signed contracts worth 264 million dollars for the design of a new 737-kilometre railway between Kandahar and Herat. The project aligns with broader international interest in a railway corridor linking Central Asia with Pakistan and India, facilitating access to the Indian Ocean. Russia could also benefit from the line to export energy to India. In 2024, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Afghanistan considered a Herat-Kandahar railway axis, while an agreement between Kabul and Ashgabat includes the construction of a logistics centre in Torghundi for the transport of grain and containers.
