New caisson en route for Genoa’s offshore breakwater
The ninth caisson for Genoa’s new offshore breakwater is on its way to the port, having departed from the production site in Vado Ligure. The massive block will be installed alongside those already in place, further shaping the backbone of the infrastructure. Meanwhile, work continues in Vado Ligure on the completion of the on-site concrete plant and the setup of the floating facility Tronds Barge, a self-sinking ship designed to produce the largest caissons, up to 33 metres high.
MSC launches new container service from Italy to West Africa
MSC has launched a new regular shipping service between the western Mediterranean and West Africa. Named West Med to West Africa, the route is operated by six container vessels of up to 2,800 TEU, calling at the ports of Genoa, Naples, Valencia, Las Palmas, Dakar, Tema, Lomé, Abidjan, Sète and returning to Genoa. Back in April, MSC had already reinforced its presence in the region with the MSC Diletta, a 24,000 TEU Megamax vessel, calling at Ghana, Nigeria, Togo, Côte d'Ivoire and Cameroon.
Qantas hit by cyberattack
Qantas Airways has reported being the victim of a cyberattack targeting one of its call centres managed by an external platform, compromising the personal data of approximately six million customers. The stolen information includes names, email addresses, phone numbers, birth dates and frequent flyer membership numbers. Financial data, credit card numbers and passport details were reportedly not affected. The Australian flag carrier stated that the attack had no impact on flight operations or safety. All Qantas systems are currently secure. The breach comes just days after the FBI issued a warning about threats to the aviation sector from the cybercriminal group Scattered Spider.
Final stretch of Gradsko–Prilep expressway opens
The government of North Macedonia has inaugurated the 10.2 km Farish–Drenovo section, the final segment of the Gradsko–Prilep expressway. The project, part of the X-d Corridor and a strategic link in the Balkans, cost €44.7 million, funded by a loan from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. Construction contracts were awarded in 2016. The first stretch, from Gradsko to Drenovo, had already opened in January. The new link will improve road connectivity between Austria and Greece, enhancing international freight transport across southeast Europe.
New Rail Gate terminal opens in Bremerhaven
A new rail transshipment terminal has been inaugurated at the Eurogate Container Terminal in Bremerhaven, boosting the German port’s capacity by 50%. The opening ceremony was held on Monday 30 June in the presence of mayor Andreas Bovenschulte. The new intermodal terminal, Rail Gate Bremerhaven, spans 80,000 square metres and features six tracks, each 762 metres long, and four remote-controlled gantry cranes. The facility will be capable of handling up to one million loading units per year, a 330,000-unit increase over the previous capacity. The project cost €70 million, 80% of which was funded by the federal government, and is managed through a joint venture with Bremer Roland Umschlaggesellschaft. According to Bovenschulte, it marks a “decisive step” in strengthening the German port’s competitiveness against Dutch rivals.
EP Logistics launches central European rail corridor
EP Logistics International Group has announced the launch of the CEREx (Central European Rail Express) project, a new freight rail service linking Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary. Operations are scheduled to begin in January 2026. The service will offer regular and reliable connections with fixed timetables, competitive pricing and dedicated routes, providing a sustainable alternative to road transport. Rail paths, including border crossings, have already been secured. Operational schedules and commercial packages are currently being finalised.
