Waberer’s signs third out-of-court settlement on truck cartel case
In December 2024, Waberer’s International announced its third out-of-court settlement with a truck manufacturer implicated in the European Commission's 2016 anti-competition ruling. The company has not disclosed the manufacturer's name. The litigation, initiated in 2017 and 2019 in the Munich Court, concerns damages related to vehicle leasing and purchases. Under the settlement, the manufacturer will be exempt from the case, and Waberer’s compensation claim will be reduced to €6.9 million plus interest. The Hungarian firm continues legal proceedings against other manufacturers involved.
Kaunas and Duisburg linked by enhanced intermodal transport
Intermodal rail transport between Lithuania and Germany has become more efficient thanks to a new business partnership and technological innovation. Ltg Cargo Polska, a subsidiary of Lithuania’s Ltg Group, has teamed up with Wascosa to introduce the Nikrasa 3.0 system. This technology enables the handling of non-craneable road trailers, boosting the competitiveness of rail transport.
Korean Air finalises acquisition of Asiana Airlines
With European Commission approval, Korean Air has completed its $1.3 billion acquisition of Asiana Airlines, creating one of the largest air operators in the Asia-Pacific region. As part of the EU’s conditions, Asiana’s cargo operations will be divested and acquired by South Korean carrier Air Incheon.
Dutch ports launch national cybersecurity platform
The Netherlands has established a national cybersecurity platform to enhance port resilience against digital threats. Key contributors to the initiative include the ports of Rotterdam, Moerdijk, Amsterdam, Groningen, and North Sea Ports (Vlissingen, Terneuzen, and Ghent). Ferm, a foundation already active in Rotterdam and Moerdijk, will evolve into a national platform for coordination and information sharing on cyber threats. Rotterdam Port CEO Boudewijn Siemons emphasised the importance of collaboration in protecting port infrastructure from increasingly sophisticated threats. The initiative is supported by the Ministry of Infrastructure and national security agencies.
Cherbourg-Bayonne rolling motorway pilot underway
The launch of a rolling motorway service in France, connecting the port of Cherbourg in the north with Bayonne-Mouguerre in the southwest, is drawing closer. The first pilot train ran on 10 December between the port and Cherbourg-en-Cotentin station. Full service is expected to commence in spring 2025. Supported by Brittany Ferries, SNCF Réseau, and the French Ministry of Ecological Transition, the project aims to shift semi-trailer transport from roads to rail across the 970-kilometre route. The trains, equipped with 21 Modalhor UIC double-pocket wagons, will carry up to 42 units per trip. Terminals at Cherbourg and Mouguerre will feature Lohr systems for crane-free loading. Although some sections require diesel locomotives due to non-electrified tracks, plans for hybrid engines are already in place.
Duisport acquires 19 locomotives
Duisport Rail, a subsidiary of the Port of Duisburg, has purchased 19 locomotives from B&V Leipzig. The acquisition is part of a strategy to strengthen Duisburg’s position as a key European logistics hub, enhancing its rail freight capacity and container throughput to 850,000 TEU annually. With 730-metre tracks and digitalised operations, the port serves as a backbone of industry in North Rhine-Westphalia, bolstering its competitiveness in the heart of Europe.
