Delays in Austria on the Brenner railway
The completion of the Tyrolean access section to the Brenner base tunnel has been postponed from 2037 to 2039 due to austerity measures by the Austrian government. A spokesperson for the Austrian Federal Railways ÖBB confirmed the delay, as previously reported by the APA agency. The postponement aligns with delays on the German side, where the Bundestag has yet to decide on the route through Bavaria. The 55-kilometre-long Brenner base tunnel still aims to open in 2032, with the goal of cutting travel time between Munich and Verona from five to three hours.
Fercam expands in India
Fercam has opened its third Indian branch in Chennai, following New Delhi and Kolkata. The South Tyrolean group also presented its 2024 financial results, showing a turnover of 706 million euros, an increase of 5.8% year-on-year. The Air & Ocean Division performed well, especially in the Indian market. Growth was also recorded in the Special Services division. Among the strategic operations were the acquisitions of Veneto-based Shado and German company Lic. The joint venture Dachser & Fercam Italia closed its first year with a turnover of 400 million euros.
Italian exports fall in March despite a boom towards the US
Istat reports that Italian exports fell by 1% in March compared to February, with sales down to EU markets (-5%) and up to non-EU markets (+3.3%). Imports remained stable (+0.2%). Year-on-year, exports increased by 5.8% in value and 1.9% in volume, driven by the United States (+41.2%) thanks to a surge in purchases ahead of potential new tariffs. Exports also rose to the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Spain, while those to China and Japan declined. Strong performances were seen in the pharmaceutical sector (+60%), food products (+10%) and machinery (+9%). The trade surplus stood at 3.6 billion euros, down from 4.3 billion in March 2024.
Pordenone Interporto ends 2024 with a profit
Pordenone Interporto approved its 2024 financial statements with a net profit of 472,000 euros, an increase on the previous year. Revenues reached 3.2 million euros, with a gross operating margin of 710,000 euros. The shareholders' meeting, held on 8 May in the presence of local institutions and business associations, announced the results. The board also approved a one-million-euro project to redevelop outdoor areas, financed by the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region, and the intermodal terminal management contract, which will soon be published to identify the new operator.
Italian sugar beet to travel by rail
The goal is to cut road traffic by 50 lorries per day for 60 days. This is the target of the rail transport project for the sugar beet harvest from the Marche region to Coprob plants in Emilia-Romagna and Veneto. Marche Region, Coldiretti, Marche Freight Village, Confcooperative and Coprob met in Ancona to launch the technical feasibility study. The initiative involves 2,500 hectares of crops and hundreds of farms. The Jesi Freight Village will serve as the departure point for trains bound for Minerbio (Bo) and Pontelongo (Pd).
South Korean giants ready to revive US shipbuilding
HD Hyundai and Hanwha Ocean, two of South Korea’s largest shipyards, have offered support to the United States to help revive domestic shipbuilding and reduce reliance on China. The announcement was made during meetings with US ambassador Jamieson Greer on the sidelines of the Apec summit in Jeju. HD Hyundai proposed a partnership in the production of port cranes, while Hanwha Ocean announced its intention to expand operations in the US beyond the Philly Shipyard, which it acquired in 2023 for 100 million dollars.
New railway between China and Mongolia for coal
On 14 May, construction began on a second railway connection between China and Mongolia. The new cross-border link is aimed at boosting Mongolian coal exports to China. The mining sector accounts for 28% of Mongolia’s GDP, making the infrastructure strategic for the country’s economy.
