Gruber Logistics acquires Gruber AG
Gruber Logistics has acquired Hamburg-based freight forwarder Gruber AG, which specialises in rail and multimodal transport, strengthening intermodal connections between Italy and the German port via the Brenner Pass. The deal reunites two companies that separated nearly 30 years ago, both originating from the business founded in South Tyrol by Josef Gruber in 1936. In the 1990s, one of the founder's sons established an independent business in Hamburg, focusing mainly on rail freight. Following the acquisition, Gruber AG will operate primarily along the Brenner corridor, linking northern and central Italy with the Port of Hamburg. Together, the two companies handle more than 20,000 rail consignments annually along this route. Gruber Logistics, which entered the multimodal market in 2003 with ten semi-trailers, has already integrated the acquired company's vehicles and forwarding operations during 2026. The deal follows a record first half of 2026 for the group's German operations, while Gruber Logistics has also completed the integration of Universal Transport Group, acquired in September 2022.
Liège and Viracopos strengthen cargo links
Liège Airport in Belgium and Viracopos Airport in Brazil have launched a commercial partnership to develop new air cargo connections between Europe and South America. The agreement, formalised on 27 October 2026 during the Air Cargo Forum in Miami, provides for joint initiatives to attract airlines, freight forwarders and logistics operators through promotional activities, commercial incentives and feasibility studies for new cargo services. The aim is to capitalise on Liège's network, which also serves Asian markets, and Viracopos' role in freight distribution across Brazil. Pharmaceuticals are among the priority sectors, with Viracopos reporting a 43% increase in the value of pharmaceutical imports in 2026 and building a refrigerated warehouse that will double its dedicated storage capacity. The Brazilian airport also handles 45% of the country's air imports of high-tech products, a segment supported by investment in data centres. Further opportunities lie in international e-commerce, supported by a new 20,000-square-metre warehouse already operating at Viracopos, equipped with X-ray screening systems and direct access to the aircraft apron. The partnership will also involve sharing commercial information and engaging potential carriers.
Lazio ports invest in solar power
Photovoltaic installations and battery storage systems developed by the Port System Authority of the Central Northern Tyrrhenian Sea with funding from Italy's National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), under the Green Ports programme, were inaugurated in Civitavecchia on 28 October 2026. The projects cover the ports of Civitavecchia, Fiumicino and Gaeta and include eight photovoltaic installations on the roofs of existing buildings, with a combined capacity of 1,041.5 kW. Six installations are located in Civitavecchia, while the remaining two have been built at the authority's premises in Fiumicino and Gaeta. Three battery storage systems have been installed at the Il Saraceno multipurpose centre in Civitavecchia, providing a combined power output of 972 kW and a storage capacity of 1,935 kWh. They will store electricity generated by the solar installations for later use. The programme also includes energy efficiency improvements to port buildings and the replacement of existing lighting with LED technology.
Exel expands airship production facility
Exel Composites has inaugurated a new production area at its Joensuu plant in Finland dedicated to manufacturing carbon-fibre tubes for the LCA60T cargo airship being developed by Flying Whales. The facility, inaugurated on 30 September 2026, marks the beginning of the production process validation phase ahead of construction of the airship's first structure. The LCA60T is a 200-metre-long vertical take-off and landing aircraft designed to carry loads of up to 60 tonnes, with a structure requiring approximately 80 kilometres of composite tubes. The new production area houses several pull-winding lines, with sufficient space to manufacture particularly long components and systems to control temperature, humidity and air cleanliness. The technology combines low weight, mechanical strength and continuous production. The validation phase will assess whether the production lines can consistently meet aerospace requirements for quality, dimensional tolerances and component repeatability. The investment follows initial tests on fibres, resins and material layering, as well as a cooperation agreement signed in 2024. The Joensuu plant is Exel Composites' centre of expertise for composite tubes and pull-winding technology, covering development, application engineering, manufacturing and quality control.
