New schedules at the Tenda Tunnel
The intergovernmental conference has announced new transit schedules for the Tenda Tunnel, pending the completion of works on the French side. Traffic restrictions remain in place: only vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes are allowed, and the transit of dangerous goods under Adr regulations is prohibited. From 15 to 28 September 2025, weekdays will feature three opening windows: 6:00–8:00, 12:00–13:00 and 18:00–21:00. At weekends, opening hours will be continuous from 6:00 to 21:00. From 29 September to 4 December, the slots will be reduced to two, with access between 6:00 and 8:00 and between 18:00 and 21:00. During the holiday period, from 15 December 2025 to 11 January 2026, the extended schedule of 6:00–21:00 will apply every day. Timetables valid from 12 January onwards will be set at the next conference meeting in December. Traffic management will in any case remain one-way alternating, controlled by traffic lights with 30-minute cycles per direction, on both the Italian and French sides. The authorities confirmed that this system will remain in force until the ongoing upgrading works are completed.
Summer tests for hydrogen trucks
Daimler Truck has launched a new testing phase for the Mercedes-Benz GenH2 Truck, with four advanced prototypes back on the alpine roads of the Valais. Following the winter trials, the aim was to assess vehicle performance under extreme heat and high-altitude conditions. Routes included passes between 600 and 2,478 metres, with temperatures exceeding 35 degrees, putting the cooling systems and thermal management to the test. The trials provided valuable data for refining fuel cell technology and verifying reliability ahead of large-scale operational deployment. The next step will be the production of a limited run of 100 tractor units at the Woerth plant in Germany, scheduled for 2026. These will be allocated to different customers for real-world operational trials. Daimler Truck also confirmed that series production of hydrogen trucks, aimed mainly at the European market, is planned for the early 2030s.
Long-term agreement between AeroGround and Lufthansa
AeroGround, a subsidiary of Munich Airport, and Lufthansa have signed a new seven-year handling contract. The agreement, retroactive from 1 November 2024, will run until 31 October 2031. It covers ground handling operations for Lufthansa’s entire continental and intercontinental fleet. Annually, AeroGround will handle more than 60,000 ground operations. Services include apron management, baggage loading and unloading, aircraft loading supervision, cargo transport and water and toilet servicing. Passenger and crew transport are also covered. The contract includes quality provisions, including a specific service level agreement to ensure high operational standards. According to both companies, the deal consolidates the continuity of services already provided under the previous contract.
EU-Moldova road transport deal extended
The European Union and Moldova have agreed to extend until 31 March 2027 the Road Transport Agreement signed on 29 June 2022. The measure was designed to ease Moldova’s access to international markets via transit through EU countries and to strengthen links with the single market. According to the European Commission, the agreement has had a positive impact both on Moldovan exports and on trade with the EU. In the third quarter of 2024, Moldovan road exports to the EU rose by 57% in volume and 41% in value compared with the same period in 2021, before the agreement was signed. At the same time, EU exports to Moldova increased by 36% in volume and 49% in value. The agreement was introduced after Moldova lost strategic routes through Ukrainian Black Sea ports and markets east of Ukraine, a direct consequence of the war. The measure provides for partial liberalisation of road freight transport, with the granting of transit and bilateral rights to Moldovan and EU hauliers. In addition to supporting Moldova’s integration into the single market, the agreement has strengthened the EU-Ukraine solidarity lanes, with Moldova acting as a key transit country for Ukrainian exports and imports.
Appointment in Swissport cargo division
Swissport has appointed Ajay Barolia as the new Executive Vice President Cargo for North America, reporting directly to CEO Nelson Camacho. Having joined the company in June 2024 as Senior Vice President North America, Barolia played a role in strengthening the organisational structure and now takes charge of the regional cargo division. With more than thirty years of industry experience, he is recognised as an expert in global air cargo standards, operational management and innovation processes. His career has focused on optimising supply chains, digitalisation and enhancing standards in quality, safety, health and environment. The new role reflects Swissport’s strategy of building resilient leadership to improve operational efficiency and customer satisfaction in North America. Barolia will be supported on the commercial side by Peter Weir, Senior Vice President Commercial Cargo North America, and will coordinate a regional team of four Vice Presidents responsible for East, West, Express and Canada, covering sales, operations and QHSE.
Agreement on organ transport
Transmedics has announced a partnership with Mercedes-Benz to launch Italy’s first dedicated land transport network for organ transplants. The initiative will use a fleet of specially equipped Mercedes-Benz V-Class vehicles distributed across the four hubs of the National OCS Programme. The network will support the use of Transmedics’ Organ Care System perfusion technology, designed to keep organs viable during transport, with the goal of increasing availability and use of donated organs for patients on waiting lists.
Ita Airways joins Alis
Ita Airways has formalised its membership of Alis, the national and European transport and logistics association. The ceremony took place in Fiumicino, attended by Ita Airways chairman Sandro Pappalardo and Alis president Guido Grimaldi. With this step, the association consolidates its role as a driver of sustainable mobility, now representing more than 2,400 members, a combined turnover of €150 billion and 462,000 employees. Ita Airways brings specific expertise and an internationally focused, forward-looking approach. For the airline, membership represents a strengthening of collaboration with key players in logistics and business services, with particular emphasis on sustainability. According to Guido Grimaldi, the Italian airline’s entry is a strategic achievement for the industrial system and supports the vision of an integrated and competitive logistics network.
