Rhine-Alpine News
28.06.2023
Strasbourg and Karlsruhe as part of the Paris-Berlin route?
Source: Picture by Hpgruesen on Pixabay
The Aachen Agreement, signed Jan 22nd 2020, defines a framework of goals in the cooperation and pursuit of mutual gain between Germany and France.
Part of this agreement is increasing the number of transport-connections between France and Germany. Some examples are: reactivating the missing link Rastatt-Haguenau as well as Colmar-Freiburg depending on the results of the ongoing feasibility study, a better connection between Strasbourg, Karlsruhe and Frankfurt Airport and Strasbourg and the Palatinate.
Rail connections, to be useful, need to be placed where they are needed, not necessarily where it is most convenient to place them. Routing the Paris-Berlin connection through Frankfurt, Karlsruhe and Strasbourg, would allow for a stronger connection between these centers of research, economy, technology, and culture. A longstanding goal of both the French and German governments, is the preservation of the environment. A strong rail network would allow for a reduction in emissions due to a shift from road to rail, especially for MEPs travelling from the European Parliament in Strasbourg via Karlsruhe to Frankfurt Airport.
A rail link via the European capital Strasbourg, would also strengthen this important corridor as part of the so-called Main Line for Europe between Paris – Strasbourg – Karlsruhe and on through southern Germany and Austria to Budapest.
Together with the City of Strasbourg, the City of Karlsruhe is advocating better connections to improve rail-based mobility for the citizens of the Upper Rhine.
Source:
Annika Hummel, Stadt Karlsruhe
Port of Genoa breakwater expansion progress
Source: Picture by Couch-und-co on Pixabay
The existing breakwater in Genoa is to be dismantled, its materials reused and repurposed, and a new breakwater built in its place.
On June 15th, the Italian Ministry of Environment and Energy has announced that the project has passed environmental impact assessment.
The works of laying the foundation of gravel on the seabed have started May 5th. Two ships are currently used to transport 3000 tons of gravel a day from Piombino to Genoa.
The new breakwater would allow for ships classified as Ultra Large to gain access to the port, and the 800 meter long turning basin will provide extra room for freight and passenger ships. This expansion would enable the Port of Genoa to compete with Europe’s largest hubs.
The new breakwater is expected to lead to a substantial growth in commercial traffic, an estimated 22 to 30 % annually for the period of 2027 until 2030.
Sources (in English, Italian):
https://container-news.com/port-of-genoa-prepares-for-larger-vesels/
https://www.porttechnology.org/news/port-of-genoa-readies-breakwater-fit-for-larger-ships/
Port Rotterdam prioritises ecologically friendly logistics-chains
Source: Picture by Ellen26 on Pixabay
As the competitive position of Rotterdam is tied to its Port, Rotterdam seeks to strengthen its Port by making it as efficient and environmentally friendly as possible. This would lead to a strengthening of the logistics chain and the companies in the port complex, which would also lead to synergy for all involved.
This is to be achieved by the use of sustainable fuels, the introduction of innovative technologies, international cooperation and the provision of data.
The goal is to both increase capacities, and optimize currently existing infrastructure and processes.
According to port authorities, about half of the 470 million tons of goods that pass through Port Rotterdam, do so in containers. These amounts are expected to increase in the coming decades, due to population increases and generally increasing consumption trends. The Port also helps customers pursue the greening of their own operations.
Due to the disruption of the logistics chains in the past years, establishing and maintaining a balance between the seafront and inland waterways, and increasing the resilience of the entire system is seen as a vital goal to main competitiveness.
Source (in German):