Medway secures eco-incentive in Spain
Medway, the rail company of the MSC Group, has received Spain's 2023 eco-incentive for sustainable rail transport. The company aligns with the Mercancías 30 strategy, promoting rail as a cornerstone of multimodal supply chains with decarbonisation and post-pandemic recovery goals. The incentive is part of an EU-funded programme through the Next Generation EU plan.
MSC orders ten dual-fuel containerships
Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) has ordered ten 24,000 TEU dual-fuel containerships from China’s Hengli Heavy Industry. The LNG-powered vessels represent an investment of approximately 17 billion yuan (over €2 billion). Announced on 5 December, the agreement follows a summer partnership between MSC and Hengli for shipbuilding and maintenance. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2028.
CMA CGM launches bora med service in Trieste
Trieste strengthens its position as a strategic hub in the Northern Adriatic with the introduction of CMA CGM’s Bora Med container service. The French shipping line will connect Izmir with Malta, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Montenegro, Cyprus, Lebanon, and Egypt, serving 18 ports in total. Starting on 23 December, six 2,500 TEU vessels will provide weekly calls at key Eastern Mediterranean and Adriatic ports, focusing on Trieste, Koper, and Rijeka for central European trade. Malta will act as the service's pivotal link, featuring as the sole stop in both directions. CMA CGM will independently operate the line, enhancing maritime links between Turkey and the Mediterranean.
PSA acquires control of Loconi Intermodal
PSA International, a terminal operator based in Singapore, finalised its acquisition of an 85% stake in Pickhill Investments on 2 December. The holding company controls nearly all of Poland’s Loconi Intermodal, an intermodal transport operator. The transaction, completed through PSA’s Belgian subsidiary PSA Baltics, involved an outlay of 2.16 million zlotys (€507,000). ATC Cargo, the previous owner, retains a 15% stake in the holding.
Busan to double container handling capacity
South Korea has unveiled an ambitious ₩14 trillion (€10 billion) plan to expand Busan Port, the country’s largest. By 2045, a new port in nearby Changwon will integrate with the existing one, doubling handling capacity. The expansion will increase the number of berths from 40 to 66, extending quay length from 18.8 km to 25.5 km. The project aims to secure Busan’s place among global top-tier ports amidst geopolitical uncertainty and climate challenges. In 2023, Busan ranked seventh globally for container traffic, handling 22.75 million TEUs.
Autostrade Alto Adriatico invests €370 million in bridge maintenance
Autostrade Alto Adriatico has announced a €370 million investment plan for extraordinary maintenance of bridges and viaducts across its motorway network. The initiative focuses on improving safety and modernising infrastructure using advanced technologies, such as dynamic monitoring and sensors for heavy traffic control. Innovative projects include employing digital twins, drones, and artificial intelligence to assess structural conditions. Specific works, like those at the Conegliano junction, will require temporary traffic restrictions from 12 to 15 December 2024.
