Russians step up the pace on cars

Kazakhstan is developing a new trade route from China to Russia via the Irtysh River, with a port and railway planned, aiming for completion by 2026.

In February of this year alone, Russia’s container market rose by 23.5 per cent year-on-year to 533,000 TEU. The preceding month also saw growth.

While Ukraine has managed to expand throughput via its sea harbours to 75% of pre-war levels, further growth is hindered by reduced production volumes.

There are shortages in car carrying capacity, especially in China, where the export of electric vehicles has soared in the past two years.

DP World Yarimca and Chery Automotive, the large China-based manufacturer of automobiles, have developed a new racking system that enables 50% more vehicles to be loaded in a container compared with no racking.

One crew member is dead and several others are injured after a fire broke out on a car carrier off the coast of the Netherlands, forcing some seafarers to jump from the vessel.