Current State of the North-South Axis

Symbolic picture by Cegoh on Pixabay

Following the disaster of a cargo train a year ago, the Swiss Gotthard Tunnel has been fully operational for rail traffic since Monday, September 2nd.

The Rhine Valley railway in Germany has also reopened following three weeks of renovation. On the road, the reopening of Switzerland’s A13 highway has relieved congestion on the north-south route. The highway had been largely blocked since June 21, 2024 due to storm damage. However, there are obstacles ahead: the 11-kilometer Mont Blanc road tunnel between France and northern Italy has been closed for 15 weeks for restoration work, as of Monday September 2nd.

Source: 

Transportjournal.com

Swiss Federal electromobility roadmap to be extended and expanded until 2030

Symbolic picture by Geralt on Pixabay

Federal Councillor Albert Rösti has extended the electromobility roadmap in Switzerland, which has been in operation since 2018, until 2030.

The roadmap will now include passenger vehicles, trucks, light commercial vehicles, and public transport buses, aiming to increase the impact of the initiative. The extension is intended to create a stable framework for the development of electromobility in Switzerland. The roadmap will also integrate public transport buses, lorries, and light vehicles into the targets.

The federal government, supported by the Federal Office of Energy and the Federal Roads Office, launched the roadmap in 2018 and extended it four years later until 2025. The Federal Office for the Environment and the Federal Office of Transport are also actively involved in the topic. The key data and objectives of the electromobility roadmap for 2026 to 2030 will be developed in close dialogue with stakeholders.

Sources:

astra.admin.ch

Dropping water levels in the Middle Rhine leads to higher shipping costs

Symbolic picture by Joshua Kettle on Unsplash

The Middle Rhine is experiencing continuous falling water levels, with Kaub already dropping below 150 cm. This is causing less loading capacity for inland waterway vessels, requiring more shipping space for the same cargo.

This leads to increased costs as existing ships are less used and additional space needs to be chartered. Forwarders and charterers are levying small water surcharges to compensate for lower cargo volumes.

Container logistics companies like Contargo charge €55 per fully loaded container at water levels of 130 cm-111 cm in Kaub, and €75 and €90 for water levels below 100 cm. Major liner shipping companies are also charging higher prices for transport to the Middle Rhine.

Source:

binnenschiffahrt-online.de