Rhine-Alpine News
28.07.2021
Partnerships strengthen Rotterdam hinterland transport
Photo (Port of Rotterdam): Barge at sea terminal
Congestion at sea terminals is a long-term issue for inland container barges. This spring and summer, waiting times in Rotterdam port were up to four days, affecting hinterland traffic in general and specifically the Rhine-Alpine Corridor.
The corridors in question concern different shipping connections between the port of Rotterdam and regions in the hinterland. One finds numerous inland terminals along these routes, which are used by a great many inland vessels. Various barge operators and inland terminals have decided to work together to bundle the flow of containers destined for specific deep-sea terminals. As a result, large volumes of containers can be moved between the different deep-sea and inland terminals using inland vessels that sail according to a fixed schedule. The Port of Rotterdam Authority supports these market initiatives. Find the news here (external link).
Genoa: Vado Ligure EU project pushes modal shift
Vado Ligure terminal. Photo: Genoa Ports
The final event of the Vamp Up project, aimed at the optimisation of the development of the Port of Vado Ligure Multipurpose Platform and co-funded by the European Commission within the Connecting Europe Facility programme, took place in Vado Ligure with a virtual visit on the part of the Project Manager of the EU Commission, Julian Espina Casabonne-Maisonnave.
The Vamp Up project has successfully shifted the modal split from road to rail in the Port of Vado Ligure. To date, 30% of overland traffic is handled by rail. In the medium-term, with the scheduling of 11 regular rail services between the Port of Vado and the major manufacturing and consumer centres in Northern Italy, the share will be boosted up to 40%. Find the news here (external link).
EU improves support for trans-border corridor investments
Trans-border investments will be easier. Photo: Deutsche Bahn
The European Union has published its directive for streamlining large investments along the TEN-T corridors. This Directive shall apply to the permit-granting procedures required in order to authorise the implementation of projects that are part of pre-identified sections of the core network and most other projects on the core network corridors, with a total cost exceeding EUR 300 000 000.
While member states have until 10 August 2023 to bring into force the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with this Directive, the long-term nature of infrastructure investments make it advisable to check the upcoming changes right away. Along the Rhine-Alpine Corridor, this will be of concern for the cross-border rail links Zevenaar – Emmerich – Oberhausen, Karlsruhe – Basel, Milano/Novara – CH border, and the inland waterway links Basel – Antwerpen/Rotterdam – Amsterdam, as well as the rail “missing link” Genova – Tortona/Novi Ligure. Find the legal text here (external link).