German trains risk more congestion amid expansion plans

Trade & Border IssuesHot Spots
Written By Jennifer Joslyn

🇩🇪🚅 It may have to get worse before it gets better.

Germany has big plans for its German rail transport system and to improve its capabilities for both freight and human passengers but expects the plan will create massive congestion for a period of time. Railroad union and association officials are warning that the rail system is already suffering from too many congestion problems and that furthering that issue, even in the name of progress, might be too much for it to bear.

Read more from Reuters ▶

You also might like...
Germany's Public Transport Grinds to a Halt With Strikes and Climate Protests
Germany's Public Transport Grinds to a Halt With Strikes and Climate Protests

Public transport services in Germany came to a halt as strikes organized by the Verdi union over working hours swept across 14 states, including Berlin.

Canadian Railways On The Brink of Work Stoppage Amid Contract Deadlock
Canadian Railways On The Brink of Work Stoppage Amid Contract Deadlock

The union representing nearly 9,300 workers at Canada’s top two rail companies is signaling a potential work stoppage due to stalled negotiations over working conditions and wage hikes.

Former Kansas City Southern CEO Joins J.B. Hunt's Board
Former Kansas City Southern CEO Joins J.B. Hunt's Board

J.B. Hunt Transport Services has welcomed former Kansas City Southern President and CEO Patrick Ottensmeyer to its board, expanding the board to 10 seats.

Deutsche Bahn Launches Sale of DB Schenker to Focus on Core Railway Business
Deutsche Bahn Launches Sale of DB Schenker to Focus on Core Railway Business

Deutsche Bahn, Germany's national railway operator, has initiated the sale of its logistics unit, DB Schenker, as part of its strategy to concentrate on its core railway business.

German Union IG Metall Rejects IF Metall's Strike Call Against Tesla Sweden as Illegal
German Union IG Metall Rejects IF Metall's Strike Call Against Tesla Sweden as Illegal

German trade union IG Metall has rejected Swedish union IF Metall's call for a strike against Tesla Sweden, deeming it illegal.

Biden Administration Allocates $3 Billion in Federal Funds to Troubled California High-Speed Rail Project
Biden Administration Allocates $3 Billion in Federal Funds to Troubled California High-Speed Rail Project

The Biden administration is providing California with over $3 billion in federal funds for its high-speed rail project, which has faced extensive delays and budget overruns.

U.S. Passenger Rail Receives a $8.2 Billion Investment for 10 Projects Nationwide
U.S. Passenger Rail Receives a $8.2 Billion Investment for 10 Projects Nationwide

The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has allocated $8.2 billion for 10 passenger rail projects and introduced corridor planning initiatives across the United States.

France, Germany, and Italy Challenge EU's Draft AI Legislation, Threatening Regulatory Deadlock
France, Germany, and Italy Challenge EU's Draft AI Legislation, Threatening Regulatory Deadlock

France, Germany, and Italy have opposed the EU's draft AI legislation, particularly regulations concerning "foundation models" that underpin large AI language models.

Search and Rescue Operation Launched After Collision of Cargo Ships in North Sea
Search and Rescue Operation Launched After Collision of Cargo Ships in North Sea

A major rescue operation is underway in the North Sea after two cargo ships, the "Verity" and the "Polesie," collided off the German coast.

Green Line Extension Faces Major Track Repairs Amid Controversy
Green Line Extension Faces Major Track Repairs Amid Controversy

A significant portion of the Green Line Extension in Massachusetts needs track repairs due to narrowness issues, with 50% of the Union Branch tracks and around 80% of the Medford/Tufts Branch tracks requiring widening.

Germany Allows France to Subsidize Nuclear Plants
Germany Allows France to Subsidize Nuclear Plants

Germany has allowed France to use state subsidies for its nuclear power plants, breaking a deadlock in EU electricity market reform discussions.

Germany Boosts Border Patrols to Curb Smuggling and Illegal Migration
Germany Boosts Border Patrols to Curb Smuggling and Illegal Migration

Germany has announced plans to increase police patrols along smuggling routes on its borders with Poland and the Czech Republic to prevent more migrants from entering the country.

$1.4 Billion Committed to Enhance Rail Safety and Bolster Supply Chain
$1.4 Billion Committed to Enhance Rail Safety and Bolster Supply Chain

The Biden administration has allocated over $1.4 billion for railway safety and capacity enhancement projects across 35 states and Washington.

Class I Railroads in North America Seek to Enhance Service Quality to Counter Trucking Competition
Class I Railroads in North America Seek to Enhance Service Quality to Counter Trucking Competition

Leaders of Class I freight railroads in North America have emphasized the importance of improving service quality to compete with the trucking industry and address the decline in intermodal market share.

California's San Joaquin Valley to Port of Los Angeles Rail Service Set for 2028 Launch
California's San Joaquin Valley to Port of Los Angeles Rail Service Set for 2028 Launch

A rail service connecting California's San Joaquin Valley to the Port of Los Angeles is expected to commence operations in 2028.

Germany's New Car Registrations Soar in August, with Plug-in Electric Vehicles Leading the Charge
Germany's New Car Registrations Soar in August, with Plug-in Electric Vehicles Leading the Charge

In August, new passenger car registrations in Germany increased by 37% year-over-year to 273,417, with a total of 1,913,564 new cars registered in the first eight months of 2023, up 16.5% year-over-year.

Germany Has Transformed From an Economic Powerhouse to a Downturn
Germany Has Transformed From an Economic Powerhouse to a Downturn

Germany, known for its economic prowess, is currently facing a stark reversal of fortune.

Republicans Seek Answers from Buttigieg on Aviation and Rail Safety Concerns
Republicans Seek Answers from Buttigieg on Aviation and Rail Safety Concerns

Republicans on the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability are seeking information from Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg regarding aviation and rail safety issues.

Chinese Electric Carmakers Forge Ahead Abroad, Triggering a Showdown with U.S. and European Auto Titans
Chinese Electric Carmakers Forge Ahead Abroad, Triggering a Showdown with U.S. and European Auto Titans

Chinese electric car manufacturers are making a significant push into the European market, using platforms like the International Motor Show (IAA) in Munich, Germany, to showcase their presence and challenge established players like BMW and Ford in the realm of battery-powered vehicles.

Norfolk Southern Anticipates Weeks for Train Backlog Recovery
Norfolk Southern Anticipates Weeks for Train Backlog Recovery

Norfolk Southern, an Atlanta-based railroad, is facing a significant backlog of trains following a recent service outage.

Norfolk Southern Commits to Enhance Worker Health at East Palestine, Ohio, Derailment Site
Norfolk Southern Commits to Enhance Worker Health at East Palestine, Ohio, Derailment Site

Norfolk Southern Co. has reached a settlement with federal regulators and its unionized workforce to address concerns about worker health during track rebuilding and cleanup operations near the site of a hazardous train derailment near East Palestine, Ohio.

The Brightline Transformation in the U.S. is Revolutionizing Passenger Rail
The Brightline Transformation in the U.S. is Revolutionizing Passenger Rail

Brightline, a Florida-based company owned by Fortress Investment Group, is challenging the traditional passenger rail model in the U.S. by offering a privately funded and operated alternative.

BMW warns of supply chain and inflation challenges in the future
BMW warns of supply chain and inflation challenges in the future

German automaker BMW has raised its outlook but anticipates challenges ahead related to its supply chain, electrification trends, and inflation

Rising Labor Costs and Declining Cargo Squeeze US Rail Profits
Rising Labor Costs and Declining Cargo Squeeze US Rail Profits

US railroad companies, including Union Pacific Corp., CSX Corp., and Norfolk Southern Corp., are facing a squeeze on operating profits due to higher labor costs and weaker sales amid an ongoing freight recession.

Rail Freight from Canada to U.S. Witnesses Ongoing Decline Following Ports Strike
Rail Freight from Canada to U.S. Witnesses Ongoing Decline Following Ports Strike

Rail freight from Canada to the U.S. has experienced a continuous decline, with a 12% decrease reported last week, according to the Association of American Railroads.

Jim Vena Takes Over as CEO of Union Pacific, Replacing Lance Fritz
Jim Vena Takes Over as CEO of Union Pacific, Replacing Lance Fritz

Union Pacific, the second-largest freight railroad company in the U.S., has announced a change in its leadership.

Canadian West Coast Ports Strike Disrupts U.S. Freight Rail Cargo, Triggering Supply Chain Concerns
Canadian West Coast Ports Strike Disrupts U.S. Freight Rail Cargo, Triggering Supply Chain Concerns

The ongoing strike at Canadian West Coast ports is causing a significant impact on freight rail cargo entering the United States, according to weekly rail trade data from the Association of American Railroads (AAR).

Sennder and Poste Italiane Renew $2.5 Billion Joint Venture
Sennder and Poste Italiane Renew $2.5 Billion Joint Venture

Sennder, the German digital freight forwarder, has announced the renewal of its joint venture with Poste Italiane, Italy's postal operator.

Railroad Industry Challenges Ohio's Minimum Crew-Size Requirement After Train Derailment
Railroad Industry Challenges Ohio's Minimum Crew-Size Requirement After Train Derailment

The railroad industry has filed a lawsuit to block a new rule in Ohio that mandates a two-person crew for freight trains and imposes stricter regulations on wayside detectors.

CSX and CPKC Railroads to Enhance Southeast Traffic with Network Connection Investment
CSX and CPKC Railroads to Enhance Southeast Traffic with Network Connection Investment

CSX and CPKC railroads have announced a partnership to strengthen a currently underutilized connection between their networks in the southeastern region of the United States.

Jennifer Joslyn
Previous

Walmart is walking the supply chain tightrope 
Next

Intel chip plants need construction workers, and fast