EBRD loan to North Macedonia’s railways
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD – European Bank for Reconstruction and Development) has approved a sovereign loan of up to €20.9 million to North Macedonia to strengthen the country’s national rail transport system. According to the institution, the funds will be used to purchase up to five electric locomotives and to implement a modern enterprise resource planning (ERP) system. The initiative aims to improve operational efficiency in the rail sector and reduce its environmental impact through the use of electric traction. The project is also designed to introduce new management standards and promote equal opportunities within the industry. The investment is considered instrumental in supporting export-oriented companies by facilitating their integration into global value chains. Based on the bank’s assessment, enhanced rail logistics could boost private-sector competitiveness and contribute to job creation. The initiative forms part of a broader objective to counter population outflows from the country.
Unmanned air cargo in China
China has completed the maiden flight of the Tianma-1000, an unmanned cargo aircraft designed for logistics operations and emergency response. The project was developed by China North Industries Group and is described as the country’s first low-cost, medium-altitude transport platform. The Tianma-1000 is designed to operate in complex environments, including mountainous and high-altitude areas, thanks to its ability to take off and land in very confined spaces. The aircraft can also be rapidly reconfigured between cargo transport missions and aerial delivery operations. It reaches a maximum altitude of 8,000 metres, has a range of 1,800 kilometres and can carry a payload of one tonne. These capabilities allow the delivery of substantial volumes of materials in a single mission, with potential applications in civilian logistics and emergency support. The aircraft has been conceived as a multifunctional platform, also encompassing search and rescue and special supply distribution operations.
Pakistan Airlines seeks a partner
A consortium led by Arif Habib is seeking an industrial partner to support the relaunch of Pakistan International Airlines, following the acquisition of 75% of the national flag carrier. Speaking to journalists in Karachi, Arif Habib said that due diligence activities are under way to identify partners capable of bringing operational and financial value. The Government of Pakistan sold the controlling stake for 135 billion rupees (around €443 million) as part of a privatisation process required by the International Monetary Fund. The airline has accumulated heavy losses and significant debt due to operational inefficiencies, an ageing fleet and political interference, surviving over the years through repeated state bailouts. The new shareholder’s plan includes expanding the fleet to 38 aircraft from the current 18 and growing operational activities. The transfer of management is expected in April and, under the agreement with the government, no redundancies will be permitted during the first year. Existing employees will have twelve months to demonstrate their performance and secure confirmation. The shareholder base includes, among others, Fatima Fertilizer, Fauji Fertilizer, Akd Group, City Schools and Lake City Holdings. The consortium also retains the option to acquire the remaining state stake at a higher price.
Private 5G network in UK ports
Three Group Solutions has completed the deployment of a private 5G network dedicated to Hutchison Ports’ operations in the United Kingdom, covering the ports of Felixstowe, Harwich International Port and London Thamesport. The infrastructure provides high-capacity, low-latency and highly reliable connectivity to support large-scale automation, including autonomous trucks, remotely operated cranes and data-intensive applications. Felixstowe is the UK’s largest container port, while Harwich and London Thamesport form part of the same operational hub. The single network spanning three sites enhances the resilience of critical infrastructure and helps improve efficiency, safety and sustainability. The transition from 4G to 5G was carried out through a phased migration, with parallel networks on different frequency bands to avoid operational disruption. The new network is designed to support the introduction of autonomous electric trucks, which require continuous connectivity, ultra-low latency and support for multiple video streams. The previous 4G network was sufficient for transmitting operational instructions but not for the demands of advanced automation. The 5G architecture includes dual core systems, overlapping radio coverage and redundant inter-port links, and is integrated within Hutchison Ports’ cybersecurity perimeter. Beyond autonomous transport, the platform will be able to support predictive maintenance, drone inspections, environmental monitoring and the integration of operational data into advanced digital systems in the future.
Logistics financing in Fiorenzuola
UniCredit has granted Benako Project 2, a property company controlled by the Akno Group, a structured €77 million financing facility for the development of a new logistics complex in the municipality of Fiorenzuola d’Arda, in the province of Piacenza (Italy). UniCredit acted as mandated lead arranger and original lender, covering the full costs of design, construction and site urbanisation. The project involves the development of a logistics hub for warehousing and distribution activities in an area located along the Emilia corridor between Milan and Parma, which has already attracted previous investments by the Akno Group. Fiorenzuola d’Arda is considered a strategic node for national logistics thanks to its proximity to the A1 motorway and connections with the main production hubs of northern Italy. The Akno Group is already present in the Piacenza area with the Roncaglia business park, later sold to Patrizia SE, confirming a strategy focused on the development and enhancement of large-scale logistics assets. The transaction was supported by Gianni & Origoni for UniCredit on financial and tax matters, and by Osborne Clarke for Akno and Benako Project 2.
Alis expands into Spain
Italian Alis and the Camera di Commercio di Spagna in Italia (Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Italy) have signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen cooperation between their member companies and support internationalisation processes between Italy and Spain. According to the two organisations, the entities involved represent a combined aggregate turnover exceeding €200 billion. The agreement aims to promote economic exchanges and the development of industrial supply chains through shared operational initiatives. These include the definition of strategic partnerships and joint actions in research and innovation. The memorandum also provides for the identification and dissemination of investment opportunities in both countries. A further area of focus is the organisation of networking and dialogue opportunities among companies, institutions and associations within the respective economic and production systems. Particular attention is given to logistics, transport, sustainable mobility, services and industry. The agreement forms part of a strategy to strengthen bilateral economic and commercial relations, with the stated objective of supporting business growth and fostering joint value-added projects.
