Punctuality of container ships improves
The punctuality of container ships has reached its highest level since November 2023, according to figures from Sea-Intelligence. In May, 65.8 per cent of ships arrived on time, up from 58.4 per cent in April and ten points higher than a year earlier. The improvement is attributed to the impact of new alliances between shipping lines. Leading the rankings is the Gemini alliance between Maersk and Hapag Lloyd, with Maersk recording 75.9 per cent punctuality and Hapag Lloyd 72.5 per cent. MSC ranked second in terms of destination port performance, with punctuality peaks of up to 77.9 per cent. ONE came last, with a punctuality rate of 55.1 per cent.
Tauern Tunnel reopens after eight months of works
Austria’s Tauern rail tunnel will reopen to freight traffic on 14 July after eight months of closure for infrastructure upgrades. The tunnel plays a key role in connecting Adriatic ports with Bavaria and is considered a strategic link for rail freight transport. The works were aimed at improving both the efficiency and safety of the line.
Autonomous locomotive tested on Betuwe Line
DB Cargo has unveiled its first locomotive equipped with autonomous and remote driving systems, which will undergo a year-long trial on the Betuwe freight railway. The pilot project is scheduled to begin in October on the strategic corridor linking the port of Rotterdam to the German border. The announcement was made on 7 July 2025 by CEO Sigrid Nikutta alongside German transport minister Patrick Schnieder.
Road haulage strike in Cyprus
A 24-hour strike by Category A truck drivers has been underway in Cyprus since 5 a.m. on 7 July. The drivers, who operate vehicles with tachographs, are calling for urgent changes to legislation on driving and rest times. Protests have been held at the ports of Limassol and Larnaca, as well as at quarries and the cement factory, with trucks parked at port entrances. The Povek trade union claims that delays caused by traffic and port operations prevent compliance with legal limits. The drivers are also demanding the registration of extendable trailers and changes to height and length limits for vehicles. The Oev federation criticised the strike, describing it as excessive and harmful to the economy.
Denmark updates cabotage guidelines
On 1 July 2025, the Danish Road Traffic Authority published an updated version of its official guide to cabotage operations. The document clarifies the rules applicable to domestic freight transport carried out by foreign vehicles within Danish territory. Among the changes are practical examples involving the transport of empty containers, unladen semi-trailers and returned packaging, which have often been subject to conflicting interpretations. The guide has also been revised from a legal and linguistic perspective to enhance its clarity and usefulness.
Maersk shifts AE12 service to Rijeka
The new Rijeka Gateway container terminal will be operational from mid-September. Maersk has announced that the AE12 service, operated jointly with Hapag Lloyd under the Gemini alliance, will be relocated from the Adriatic Gateway Container Terminal to the new facility. The terminal is operated by APM Terminals in a joint venture with Croatian company Enna Logic, which holds a 49 per cent stake. The first phase of the project involves an investment of 200 million euros, with a further 180 million euros planned over the next ten years. The new service rotation will be: Port Said East – Koper – Rijeka (RGW) – Port Said East.
Daimler to assemble Mercedes trucks in Senegal
Daimler Truck Holding is set to open an assembly plant in Senegal, where the first Mercedes-Benz truck prototypes are expected to be produced by the end of the year. Series production is scheduled to begin in 2026. The project is the result of a joint venture between the Senegalese government and Global Truck Systems, with Daimler supplying the components. The vehicles will be destined for the defence ministry, police, fire services and private customers. The Senegalese government will provide land, tax incentives and training programmes.
