March 18, 2020
With the reduction in travel due to the Covid-19 virus outbreak, airlines worry about their imminent future. Some experts foresee a global passenger reduction of 20 to 30% while others say that by the end of May 2020 most airlines will have gone bust. To prevent this worst-case scenario, airlines are calling their governments for […]
March 18, 2020
With France imposing a total lockdown, and Europe closing the borders of the Schengen-zone, cross-Channel transport is adapting to the new situation. On Tuesday, Eurostar already decided to scrap half of its high-speed train connections from London with the rest of Europe. From Thursday, Eurostar will reduce its offering by 80%. This means only three […]
March 18, 2020
Lockdown or not, the Port of Antwerp is doing everything in its power to remain fully operational. The port employs some 60 000 people and is of the utmost importance for the supply of Belgium and other EU countries. “We are actively working to prevent the further spread of the coronavirus,” says Port of Antwerp. […]
March 18, 2020
A Belgium start-up based in Zedelgem near Bruges has developed a patented rooftop ‘docking station’ and a matching elevator and smart box system to allow any type of drone to deliver packages in crowded areas. Drone-Future is going to Cambodia to test its prototypes and hopes to get the attention of the world’s most prominent […]
March 17, 2020
The Dutch bureau, Move Mobility, has elaborated a new, more sophisticated calculation model for mobility problems. Research shows that investing in public transport and bikes is far more efficient against traffic jams than investing in roads for cars. “If you make public transport good enough, a part of the car users will change,” says Hans […]
March 16, 2020
The Belgian Transport sector is looking to attract people from all backgrounds to fill its 5 000 truck driver job vacancies. The sector is launching a campaign to promote the post and distance it from its obsolete image. Truck drivers don’t have the best image. However, the notion of their job isn’t the best, either. […]
March 13, 2020
Cargo bicycles are gaining interest in the eye of the authorities, especially for last-mile deliveries. With a delivery sector expected to continue to grow, cargo bikes are a small, practical, go-anywhere and, more importantly, green alternative to vans and trucks. Cities all around the world are facing a dilemma. On the one hand, they want […]
March 12, 2020
Michaël Vanloubbeeck (48), former Head of Cabinet of Federal Minister of Mobility, François Bellot (MR), is the top candidate for the CEO position at the Belgian rail network operator Infrabel. That’s what the newspaper De Tijd writes on Thursday. According to De Tijd, Odgers Berndtson, the head hunter’s office appointed by the federal government fo […]
March 10, 2020
On Monday, unions have called an extraordinary national committee with management from SNCB/NMBS, Infrabel, and HR Rail regarding the coronavirus. Railway workers are worried after five cases of infection have been noted in the company. SNCB/NMBS takes measures to ensure toilets are working and equipped with water and paper on all trains. “Following the railway […]
March 09, 2020
After the Flygskam and Boeing 737 Max crisis, air transport is taking a third blow from the coronavirus outbreak. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) estimates the cost of the epidemic at 113 billion dollars. Empty planes make Air France-KLM sound the alarm and advise its employees to take unpaid leaves while UK airline Flybe […]
February 25, 2020
European companies are expected to double the share of their low-carbon investments if Europe wants to reach its 2050 carbon-neutral target. This is evident from figures collected by the specialist association Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), a British NGO that collects information on the climate behavior of businesses. According to the annual report of CDP, some […]
February 21, 2020
Volvo Trucks North America is starting an extended project called ‘LIGHTS’ to deliver freight to and within the Los Angeles area by its fully ‘Class 8’ VNR Electric trucks, the heaviest class in its line-up. Starting with five of these, making round trips from 120 to 280 km, the program will build up to a […]
February 21, 2020
In 2019, the Walloon waterways transported 39 million tons of freight. If that amount had been transported on the road, it would’ve required two million trucks. Despite the slight 5,8% drop in activity compared to the last two years due to the drought, Walloon ambitions to enlarge the sector remain. Last year, the 451 kilometers […]
February 18, 2020
For the first time, the cost of damaging nature is calculated in money. Conclusion? The extinction of species and the erosion of natural habitat is extremely expensive. Without any urgent measures, the world economy will have to sacrifice thousands of billions of euros in the coming thirty years to save the planet. Macroeconomic costs The […]
February 17, 2020
The Belgian shipping company, CMB, is planning to have a first large container ship operational on hydrogen. “We have to do something about the climate,” the company says. Turning point Shipping is a polluting sector. More than 95% of the 60 000 vessels that transport 12 billion tons of goods overseas use polluting fuel oil. […]
February 10, 2020
Belgium’s rail manager, Infrabel, is setting up the dismantling of Brussels’ 26A freight rail line for the summer of 2021. However, that unused line connects the Brussels port to the site of Schaerbeek Formation where the European fruit and vegetable center will soon be set up. With the related upcoming freight transport, the rail deletion […]
February 10, 2020
The new emissions inventory 2017 shows that in Antwerp CO2 emissions have been reduced by 23,5% compared to the 2005 reference year. The largest profits were made by the industry outside the port area (-48%) and households (-38%). With this, Antwerp meets the climate target of a 20% reduction before the 2020 deadline. Nevertheless, the […]
February 07, 2020
The green buses of German FlixBus on the Dortmund-London line, which also runs through Belgium, are equipped with solar panels. The initiative fits in a green test project of FlixMobility, the German company behind the FlixBuses that cross Europe at low prices. Wafer-thin solar mats from the British tech company, Trailar, have to charge the […]
February 06, 2020
Approximately half of Belgians would change their online buying behavior if 5 euros had to be paid to return orders. This is the conclusion of a study commissioned by the Federal Minister of Economy and Consumers, Nathalie Muylle (CD&V). “We think climate awareness is important, but returns are massive.” Established habit Returning parcels free of […]
February 05, 2020
In spite of the 70% planned increase in air traffic, the British air industry sets an ambitious zero carbon target for 2050. This plan is being driven by the organization Sustainable Aviation. Cleaner airplanes and carbon offset are the cornerstones of the project. After the ‘flygskam’ or ‘flying shame’ emerging from the Scandinavian countries, the […]
February 04, 2020
Flemish Minister of Mobility, Lydia Peeters (Open VLD), is allocating 10 million over the next five years to rebuild and better secure highway car parks. In the first phase, seven car parks will be constructed, but N-VA urges the minister to speed up this process and to focus on car parks affected by transmigrants. Different […]
February 03, 2020
Flemish newspaper De Morgen interviewed Frans Timmermans, ‘Mister climate’ of the European Commission, about the European Green Deal. Timmermans does not see the Green Deal as a fixed plan, but rather as a guideline with the ultimate goal of climate neutrality by 2050. For Timmermans, the Green Deal combines three major challenges in Europe: the […]
February 03, 2020
Running an engine on iron power, turning it into rust by burning it and extracting a load of energy out of it this way to move a vessel with 15.000 containers; it is theoretically possible. And the good thing is: there are no CO2 emissions, and the rust can be captured and turned into iron […]
January 17, 2020
Car manufacturer Toyota invests 394 million dollars in Joby Aviation, an American start-up that wants to make flying taxis. “Aviation is a long-term goal for Toyota,” says CEO Akio Toyoda in a press release taken over by De Morgen. “With this, we have the opportunity to revolutionize the future lifestyle of people and their way […]
January 15, 2020
Belgian grocery discounter chain, Colruyt, is setting up an experiment with ‘neighbors’ delivering groceries to other ‘neighbors’, minimizing this way the ecological footprint of home delivery. The idea is to provide a platform where someone from your district goes shopping for you with your grocery list and brings the goods at your doorstep for a […]
January 14, 2020
With 152,2 million passengers transported in 2019, the Irish low-cost airline, Ryanair, becomes the largest passenger air transporter of Europe. It sits just ahead of the German Lufthansa Group, which transported 145 million passengers last year. Ryanair is still affected by the Boeing 737 Max lockdown, but the company’s share price jumped by 10% in […]
January 13, 2020
Researchers at the Technology University Eindhoven want to use iron as a fuel because no CO2 is released during combustion, and the powder can be endlessly recycled. Iron powder like a charged battery Professors Niels Deen and Philip de Goey (TU Eindhoven), together with Mark Verhagen, manager of Team SOLID, have built a pilot plant […]
January 09, 2020
According to Transport and Logistic in Flanders (Transport en Logistiek Vlaanderen, TLV), the idea of the Belgian fashion chain, JBC, to have parcels returned by commuters is illegal. The professional association that represents 1.500 Flemish transport companies considers juridic actions when the fashion store continues its plans. On Tuesday, JBC announced it is going to […]
January 03, 2020
The East Flemish family company, Quatra, collects 65.000 tons of used deep-frying oil annually, which is used as fuel for cars and will soon also be used for airplanes. “In ten years’ time, we have become the biggest in Europe.” At the beginning of 2019, Quatra invested 10 million euros for the construction of a […]
December 28, 2017
More than 3.200 carriers in 9 European countries have pressed charges against a trust of truck manufacturers in München (Germany). Together they claim a compensation of at least 500 million euro. 2,9 billion euro fine Last year truck manufacturers MAN, Volvo/Renault, Daimler, Iveco and DAF already were imposed a 2,9 billion euro fine by the […]
December 28, 2017
A recent study states that the use of services like Uber or Lyft (online car hiring with driver) is causing more traffic jams in the city of New York because the number of cars is still increasing. The situation of traffic being constantly blocked in New York is still getting worse. Average speed during peak […]
December 28, 2017
Chinese car maker Geely, already owning car division Volvo Cars, is taking a major part in AB Volvo, the group building trucks under Volvo brand, Renault and Mack. By acquiring 8,2% of the capital and 15,6% of the voting shares from the Swedish Cevian Capital fund, it becomes the prime share holder. 3,25 billion euro […]
December 27, 2017
The Netherlands will start tests with autonomous trains as from the beginning of 2018. The Dutch railroad company ProRail collaborates with several transporters and manufacturers. There will be several test routes: the Betuwe, a rail route for the transport of goods, the port of Rotterdam, the railroad in Groningen (Arriva), the Schiphol tunnel and maybe […]
December 27, 2017
In the Netherlands several bottlenecks in the highway network, causing huge traffic jams have been cured by increasing the road capacity. Traffic flow has significantly improved at these spots. According to the the Dutch traffic information service VID (VerkeersInformatieDienst) the amount of traffic jams in the Netherlands has stayed at the same level in 2017. […]
December 27, 2017
A study of researchers at MIT (Massachussets Institute of Technology) shows that the environmental measures included in the US Clean Air Act save far more lives than previously estimated. Small and ultra small particles in the air, due to combustion and other pollutants in the air, are responsible for premature death of 4,2 million inhabitants […]
December 27, 2017
This year already 80.000 vans were sold in Belgium, a 14% increase compared to last year. These record sales are mainly due to the increase in online shopping. Today there are approximately 800.000 vans in Belgium and that’s 150.000 or 18,8% more than 3 years ago. If you take the foreign vans that circulate in […]
December 22, 2017
By taking over its American competitor Gener8, Belgian Euronav becomes the world’s largest crude oil tanker company. Euronav pays half a billion dollar for Gener8 that brings in 22 young ships. A bargain according to insiders. Added to the 53 oil tankers it already owned, Euronav now has 75 ships in its portfolio in two […]
December 20, 2017
Belgium will abolish the general ban for heavy trucks of +7,5 tons to overtake on 2×2 lane highways in the first half of 2018, federal Minister for Mobility François Bellot (MR) confirmed this week. Overhauling will still be forbidden when it’s raining, as it is today. For the first time in three years the minister […]
December 20, 2017
From January the 26th on, the four Reyers tunnels, that are the gate to the eastern part of the city of Brussels will be closed (in phases) during at least one year. After the Montgomery and Stephanie tunnels, now it’s time for the Reyers tunnels to be renovated. From the 26th of January they will […]
December 20, 2017
American package delivery service UPS has ordered 125 Tesla Semis, the biggest order so far in the ‘rush’ on the electric semi-truck that Elon Musk presented on November 16th. Last weeks PepsiCo ordered 100 of them and InBev daughter Anhauser Busch breweries signed in for 40 trucks. Tesla claims its new e-truck has an autonomy […]
December 19, 2017
On Wednesday the first super truck will be put into service on Walloon roads. It will commute between Jupille and Ottignies, a distance of 160 km, the longest for an eco-combi in Belgium. Partners of the pilot project are AB InBev, supermarket chain Colruyt and the transport company Ninatrans. 25 meter long, 60 tons The […]
December 18, 2017
According to the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) 90% of the air pollution in cities that are in full demographic expansion, especially in Africa, are caused by road traffic. The UN organization is based in Nairobi, Kenya, one of the most affected African cities. According to a report in The Lancet (October) air pollution caused […]
December 15, 2017
E-commerce is well established in Belgium. About 21% of Belgian companies reported sales transactions by internet, good for a fifth place in Europe. According to the European office of statistics Eurostat Ireland stands on the first place in the top five, followed by Sweden (25%) and Denmark (24%). Also The Netherlands – with 22% – […]
December 15, 2017
German car and truck maker Daimler has delivered the first full electric (Mitsubishi) Fuso eCanter trucks at a handful of German costumers. The Fuso eCanter has a weight of 7,49 tons with its 600 kg battery and has a range of 100 km. Maximum speed is 80 kph. Pricing was not given by Daimler. Japanese […]
December 14, 2017
In October 2016 the data of about 100.000 Belgian users were hacked, as was mentioned by the Uber website on Wednesday. Worldwide some 57 million users and drivers of the American taxi service company were victim of the data leak. Subcontractor End November the new CEO of the company, Dara Khosrowshahi, explained in a blog […]
December 13, 2017
Vengo, a young start-up company in Hasselt (Belgium), has installed an online platform to organize the transport of bulky goods, exploiting the empty space in trucks and vans. “As much as 80% of all trucks on the road are not completely loaded. Twenty percent is even empty. We therefore decided to provide a transport service […]
December 13, 2017
PepsiCo has placed an order for 100 electrical Tesla trucks. The company plans to use them for the transport of snacks and beverages from production sites to distribution centers and retailers in a range of about 800 kilometers, the range Musk promises the semi-trucks can offer on one charge. 10.000 vehicle fleet The 100 Tesla […]
December 12, 2017
Belgian federal Minister of Mobility François Bellot (MR) wants to tackle the problem of truck drivers ignoring the ban on overhauling in rain or snow with ANPR cameras that can recognize number plates. An amendment of the law to make this possible, will become active in 2018, says Bellot. On Monday with half of Belgium […]
December 11, 2017
The Belgian government has agreed to extend beyond 2020 the measure to exempt companies which sell their older diesel trucks to invest in more sustainable replacements, from taxes on the surplus value made on the sale. The inner cabinet followed a proposal on this from Minister of Economics Kris Peeters (CD&V). Surplus value The measure […]
December 08, 2017
The American daughter of the worlds biggest brewer AB InBev, headquartered in Belgium, has ordered 40 full electric semi-trucks from Tesla. According to Anheuser Busch, most known for its Budweiser beer, this is the biggest order for full electric trucks so far since Tesla presented them last month. Earlier companies like German package delivery service […]
December 08, 2017
8 mayors have joined thoughts and forces to ask for a roof or a tunnel on part of the Brussels ring road (approximately 15 km). It’s the part that crosses the “Zoniënwoud” wood, declared world heritage by Unesco and in danger because of the pollution of thousands of cars per day crossing right through it. […]
December 07, 2017
According to the latest figures of Vias, the Belgian institute for traffic safety and mobility (formerly called BIVV/IBSR) the death toll on Belgian roads (first three quarters) has lowered from 407 to 363 casualties. Minister Weyts is happy that his latest measures are having results. “These figures show a world of difference with those assembled […]
December 07, 2017
Nineteen cities, among which Brussels, Amsterdam, Paris and London, are asking the EU Commission to issue new standards for lorries used in cities to improve visibility for the driver and protect weak road users like cyclists. Seeing other road users In order to better see the other road users, the cities want the lorries to […]
December 06, 2017
Power stations are no longer the biggest source of CO2-pollution in the United States. They have been overtaken by the sector of transport. It’s the first time in 40 years that the production of energy isn’t the biggest CO2-polluter any more. Power stations aren’t the biggest CO2-source any more in the United States. The whole […]
December 04, 2017
After successful small scale testing, heavy truck platooning convoys should be possible on a daily base by the hundreds by 2020, from the harbour of Rotterdam (Netherlands) to Antwerp (Belgium) and Venlo (Netherlands). With this initiative the Dutch government and some 20 companies want to make the transport more efficient, faster and cleaner. Connected by […]
November 30, 2017
Recently NMBS/SNCB’s new CEO Sophie Dutordoir presented a 5 year investment plan for the Belgian railway company, today she talks about the company’s plan to cut debts and reduce costs while increasing performance, taking into account that public transport is liberalised from 2020 onwards. Dutordoir has also to take into account a reduction in public […]
November 23, 2017
French railroad company SNCF is scrapping its car-trains on all lines, except the ones serving the Mediterranean. The decision was taken because the service is heavily loosing money, some 10 million euro per year. Popular in the seventies The trains, transporting private cars over the rails over large distances, was quite popular in the past, […]
November 23, 2017
Transport companies willing to invest in sustainable technology and road safety can get a 100.000 euro financial leg-up from the Flemish government from this week on. Condition is that the investment goes further than the strict legally obligation. SCR-systems The subsidies – up to 80% of the investment and limited to 100.000 every three years […]
November 21, 2017
The Eurotunnel Group, exploiting the tunnel under the Channel, has renamed itself into ‘Getlink’ to underline its intention “to enter a new era of mobility infrastructure”. On the Euronext stock exchanges of Paris and London, the group keeps its GET code. 20 million passengers The group transports each year some 20 million passengers, 1,6 million […]
November 21, 2017
‘Supertrucks’ with almost double capacity of a normal heavy freight lorry will be allowed on all Flemish highways and a so called ‘basic road network’ from January 1st 2018 on. A decree proposal of Minister of Mobility Ben Weyts (N-VA) is examined by the State’s Council at the moment. Two supertrucks already A first pilot […]
