The Rhine-Alpine Gateway is one of Europe’s most important rail routes connecting the Mediterranean ports with the economic heartland of Central Europe, handling half of the trade between northern Europe and Italy via Switzerland.

The key north-south rail link is flowing again, after the section between Milan and Basel had been closed for two weeks, but challenges remain, as terminals work to clear a huge container backlog.

The improving economies of Central Asia are pushing up demand for rail freight across Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan.

Transcontainer has dominated the Asia Pacific-to-Russia rail cargo route for the past several years, but a new logistics provider could inject competitive forces into this transport segment.

European shippers can realize inventory cost and transit times savings via Mediterranean routings.

The deal would complement MSC’s ZAO Container Terminal in Russia’s busiest port of St. Petersburg.

RZD hopes the reductions will make rail more attractive to shippers who overwhelmingly rely on trucking despite its higher costs.

Shippers will greet news that the key European rail corridor will open five days early with some relief, but they will still have to struggle for alternatives until early October.

Rail traffic between Italy and Germany is expected to rise sharply in September, which is not good news with the crucial Alpine route shut down until Oct. 7.

Backup routes used to get around the shut down Rhine Valley rail link are proving costly for shippers.

Diversion routes in Germany are also out of service because of engineering work, threatening further delays at Europe’s top container port.

The growing popularity of shipping containers by rail from China to Europe is leading to delays as increasing cargo volume begins to overpower European terminals.

China's Belt and Road is projected to generate an additional $2.5 trillion in global trade over the next 10 years.

The acquisition of Paris-based NACCO, Europe’s fourth-largest rail rental group, will boost Hamburg-based VTG’s fleet by 14,000 rail wagons.

Ceva initiated its China-Europe rail operation with a service from Suzhou in 2010.

Shippers believe the deal has the potential to lower the cost of rail shipping.

Nippon Express wants to capitalize on the growing demand for such services.