The European Silk Road Summit 2024, held in Vienna on 27-28 November, discussed developments in rail transport from the Far East into Europe. ESC participated in a panel discussion titled “Connecting Europe to Asia: Navigating Regional Challenges and Solutions.” ESC was asked which major bottlenecks should be removed to make long-distance rail transport more attractive. In their response, ESC highlighted that members often express concerns about border crossings between Frankfurt Oder/Slubice and Brest/Malazewicze. Additionally, the situation in Turkey and Constanța could be improved.
It is crucial to establish a unified European railway network as soon as possible. Differences in electricity voltage, gauge, and safety measures are hindering seamless border crossings between Member States.
Legislation that could potentially make rail transport more attractive, such as the Combined Transport Directive and rail capacity regulations, remains a subject of political discussion. At the same time, rail transport could present an attractive alternative for shippers, given geopolitical tensions and attacks by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea. Cost-wise, rail transport could offer a viable alternative to air cargo and, in some cases, maritime transport. Administrative burdens in rail transport appear to be lower than those for air cargo. The overarching theme remains the reliability of the rail network, especially within the EU.