testata inforMARE
Cerca
04 April 2025 - Year XXIX
Independent journal on economy and transport policy
23:26 GMT+2
LinnkedInTwitterFacebook
This page has been automatically translated by
Original news
A relationship of the European State Audit Court denunciation the failure and the inefficiency of the realization of the railway net EU to high speed
"An authentic European railway net to high speed does not exist - the document explains -: a mosaic of national lines to high speed exists only"
June 28, 2018

A new special report of the European State Audit Court on the railway net to high speed of the EU represents rapes blow on the head of which they support the necessity to realize this railway Network and is a powerful support of the theses of which they consider preferable modernize and upgrade the conventional railway net rather than to construct a net for the high superfluous and expensive considered speed.

The relationship concludes in fact that it is improbable that the current one slowly in the long term of the EU for the railway lines to high speed is realized and that lacks a solid strategic approach at the level of the EU. According to the Court, "the objective of the EU commission to triple the length of the railway net to high speed, reaching beyond 30.000 kilometers in 2030, is not supported by a reliable analysis. We consider improbable - law in the document - than this objective can be reached, because us they want about 16 years in order to plan, to construct and to start railway infrastructures to high speed. At the end of the 2017 they were in single function 9,000 kilometers of high-speed lines, with others 1,700 kilometers under construction".

Moreover, to judgment of the Court, the railway net to high speed of the EU is only a disomogeneo system of national lines without a coordination adapted to transboundary level, planned and constructed from the Member States in isolated way, from which they turn out unsatisfactory connections, and the EU commission does not have legal instruments neither of decisional powers in order to guarantee that the Member States progress quickly towards the completion of the central net.

"An authentic European railway net to high speed does not exist - the document emphasizes -: a mosaic of national lines to high speed exists only. The Commission does not have the power to decide if and when the high-speed lines specified in Regolamento TRY would have to be constructed, since the relative decisions to the construction of railway lines to high speed are of exclusive competence of the Member States. To complete the transnational corridors of the EU being connected the national nets is not a priority for the which examined Member States. Although meanwhile a mechanism of financing of the EU (Regolamento CEF is adopted) and although various Member States have signed several international agreements, the work for the crosswalk of the frontiers of the railway lines to high speed is not completed in co-ordinate way. This involves a low added value of the co-financing of the EU destined to the investments in railway infrastructures to high speed in the Member States".

"A disomogeneo and ineffective system of national nets to high speed badly connected between it is constructed - Oskar Herics has explained, the member of the European State Audit Court in charge of the relation -. The high-speed lines that cross national frontiers do not re-enter between the national priorities in terms of construction and the Commission does not have the faculty to impose of the realization. This means that the added value of the co-financing of the EU is modest".

The document of the European State Audit Court remembers that from 2000 the EU has co-financed investments in the railway lines to high speed for 23,7 billion euros. In order to collect given useful to the drawing up of the relationship, the auditor of the Court have gone in six Member States (France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Portugal and Austria) and have analyzed the expense carried out for beyond 5.000 kilometers of high-speed lines, covering about 50% of entire railway net AV of the EU, and have found that, although the length of national nets AV is increasing, the objective established from the EU to triple the length of the railway lines to high speed (until 30 000 km) within 2030 will not be reached.

The relationship evidences that the railway infrastructure to high speed is expensive: for the lines subordinates to audit, the average cost of a kilometer is of 25 million euros. For four of the ten lines, every minute of saved time of distance will cost more than 100 million euros. The elevated figure more regards the Stoccarda-Monk line, that 369 million euros for every saved minute will cost.

The relationship emphasizes that if the solution were instead considered seriously alternative to upgrade the existing conventional lines, billions of euro could be saved. "The quality of the appraisal of the real necessities of the Member States - the document specifies - is insufficient and the solution alternative to requalify the existing conventional lines is often not held in debita consideration, even if the achieved savings using this option can be meaningful. The decision to construct high-speed lines - denunciation the relationship - often is based on political considerations and the cost analyses are not used generally as instrument in order to support a decisional process based on the relationship cost-efficiency".

To such purpose the relationship mentions good practical adopted in Italy and Germany, and not used in the other States visited from the inspectors of the European State Audit Court, based on which a re-examination of the projects is put into effect in order to verify that their characteristics still satisfy the requirements current. The document for example takes to the review of the project for the Venice-Trieste line, comparing the construction of a new high-speed line (300 km/h) that it would involve a cost of 7,5 billion euros in order to realize a draft that would be covered in 55 minutes with the alternative modernization and potenziamento of the conventional railway line, of the cost of 1,8 billion euros, that it would afford 200 speeds of km/h and a time of distance of 65 minutes. The analysis concludes that with the requalification of the conventional line euros would be saved 5,7 billion only adding 10 minutes of travel, that is a saving of 570 million euros for every additional minute of the time of distance.

Moreover the relationship rimarca that in the realization of the railway lines to high speed the sforamenti of costs and the delays constitutes a rule rather than the exception. The precise document that, being the co-financing subject to a maximal one, the sforamenti of cost for the investments in the high-speed lines do not affect the budget of the EU but is supported by the national budgets. In particular, the examined sforamenti of the costs aggregates for the projects and lines are piled to 5,7 billion euros at the level of project (44%) and to 25,1 billion euros at the level of line (78%). Eight of the thirty examined projects recorded delays at least a year, while five lines on ten recorded advanced delays to ten years.

The relationship examines also the success of the investments online railway to high speed basing the analysis on the number of transported passengers and the number of people who live in the basin of long user the line. The auditor they consider that, based on the parameters of reference, for being considered a success a line of this type it would have to transport, ideally, nine million passengers per year. On three of the seven high-speed lines completed and subordinates to audit, the number of transported passengers clearly inferior era but. The risk that the co-financing EU of 2,7 billion euros in favor of these lines is used in ineffective way - explains the relationship - therefore it is elevated. Moreover, for nine of the 14 transboundary lines and connections subordinates to audit, the number of potential passengers in the respective basins of user sufficiently was not elevated to decree of the success.

The relationship, moreover, remembers that in the 2010 Court it had already asked a urgent participation in order to remove the technical barriers, administrative and of other type that the railway interoperability hindered and emphasizes that however it has been stated that in the 2018 these barriers they still exist, preventing competitive an operation really lacking in interruptions and of the high-speed lines to transboundary level in the EU. The specific document also that if the market of the rail shipment of passengers still is not opened in France and Spain, however in Italy and, in limited measure, in Austria, where there is competition between railway operators, the services turned out more frequent superior in quality and, while the prices of tickets were inferior.

In conclusion the European State Audit Court recommends to the EU commission to proceed to a realistic planning in the long term and to agree with the Member States fundamental the drafts strategic to put into effect for first, estimating the necessity of lines to highest speed and previewing a careful monitoring and powers executives in order to guarantee the respect of the engagements with regard to the completion of the central railway net to high speed of the EU. Moreover the Court invites the Commission to subordinate the co-financing EU to specific strategic priority projects, an effective competition between railway operators and to the attainment of results, and to simplify the transboundary procedures of contest, to use “only doors” for the several formalities and to eliminate all the remaining administrative and normative barriers that hinder the interoperability. Moreover it proposes to improve the operation without interruptions of the railway line to high speed for the passengers through, for example, the emission of electronic tickets and the simplification of the canons of access to the railway lines.
›››News file
FROM THE HOME PAGE
Terminal Intermodale Venezia, concession contract renewed
Terminal Intermodale Venezia, concession contract renewed
Venice
The duration of the agreement is 25 years. Investments of over 100 million euros are expected
Ahead of the election, Australia is arguing over who will oust China's Landbridge from the Port of Darwin
Darwin/Strathpine
Assurances to this effect were given by both Prime Minister Albanese and opposition leader Dutton.
US tariffs will cause a four percentage point reduction in the expected volume of world trade
Geneva
The World Trade Organization believes so
84% of new constructions ordered by the Italian navy will be built in China
Rome
Analysis by the Confitarma Study Center on the possible impacts of US duties on the national shipping industry
GNV ships will call at Algerian ports for the first time
Genoa
In summer, the weekly connections Sète-Algiers and Sète-Bejaia will be activated
Boluda Towage and Marsa Maroc to operate towage services in the new port of Nador West Med
Valencia
Denton (ICC): Trump's tariffs pose a crucial challenge to rules-based trade governance
Denton (ICC): Trump's tariffs pose a crucial challenge to rules-based trade governance
Paris
Rather, he stressed, multilateral solutions are needed to resolve the long-standing inefficiencies and inequalities in the global trading system.
Guerrieri appointed extraordinary commissioner of the Northern Tyrrhenian Sea Port Authority
Leghorn
The mandate granted by MIT has no expiration date
APM Terminals buys the Panama Canal Railway Company
The Hague
The company operates the railway line parallel and adjacent to the Panama Canal
Piloda plans a hub for ship repair, refitting and demolition in the port of Brindisi
Naples
Expression of interest for the reconversion and reindustrialization of the former coal power plant area
Kuehne+Nagel to handle spare parts logistics for Changan electric cars in the European market
Schindellegi
Agreement with the Chinese car manufacturer
A.P. Møller Holding submits offer to acquire entire share capital of towing company Svitzer
AP Møller Holding submits offer to acquire entire share capital of towing company Svitzer
Copenhagen
The Mærsk family investment company already owns 47.0% of the company
Public interest declared for MSC, Neri and Lorenzini's project for a new container terminal in Livorno
Slight annual growth in freight traffic in Italian ports driven by containers
Slight annual growth in freight traffic in Italian ports driven by containers
Rome
In the container segment, the strong increase in transhipments offset the decline in imports and exports
Turkey's Desan Shipyard in talks to take over Mangalia shipyard
Bucharest
The Tuzla plant is much smaller than the Romanian one
Six international shipping associations present a guide to planning safe navigation
London
TUI awards Fincantieri contract for two new cruise ships for Marella Cruises
Hanover/Trieste
Deliveries are scheduled for 2030 and 2032
ESPO urges EU and Member States to allocate funds to decarbonise ships and ports
Brussels
Earmarking Innovation Fund proceeds to stimulate demand for clean marine fuels
China Antitrust Launches Investigation into Hutchison Ports' Panama Terminal Sale
Beijing/Hong Kong
Panama Ports Company operates the Balboa and Cristobal ports
PSA posts annual revenue growth, but profits fall
Singapore
Sharp increase in operating costs across the board
Temporary Port Labor Supply Company in Cagliari Extended for Another 18 Months
Cagliari
In 2024, cargo traffic in Chinese seaports grew by +3.5%
Beijing
Increase of +6.9% in traffic with foreign countries. In the first two months of 2025, 1.75 billion tons were moved (+1.6%)
Chinese container maker CIMC posts bumper 2024
Hong Kong
Almost 3.6 million containers sold (+372%). Record revenues
Le Aziende informanoSponsored Article
AAL Shipping sceglie il sistema di consulenza marina di ABB per ottimizzare la flotta Super B-Class
In February, freight traffic in the port of Genoa fell by -4.4% and in Savona-Vado it increased by +24.5%
Genoa
Cruise and ferry passenger decline
ICS, Trump's proposed measures against Chinese ships risk having significant unwanted consequences, even for the US
Washington
Strong opposition to their introduction also expressed by the WSC
Intercargo, international measures for decarbonisation of shipping must be simple and clear
London
Gkonis: Must not compromise operational efficiency and smooth global transport of essential goods
Port of Barcelona invests 124 million to develop sustainable fuel traffic
Barcelona
Construction of three new moorings at Moll de l'Energia
In 2024, freight traffic in the port of Catania began to grow again. A decline in Augusta
In 2024, freight traffic in the port of Catania began to grow again. A decline in Augusta
Augusta
A total of 7.9 million and 23.0 million tons of cargo were handled
In 2024, the terminal operator HHLA recorded record revenues with a growth of +10.5%
Hamburg
Profit after taxes amounted to 56.4 million euros (+33.1%)
Launch of a public consultation for the updating of the PRPs of the ports of Genoa and Savona-Vado
Genoa
The involvement of territorial, economic and social communities is foreseen
ITU, ICAO and IMO highlight risks to maritime and air transport caused by attacks on satellite communications
Geneva/Montreal/London
London Government presents its strategy for decarbonising maritime transport
London
The measures for ports will be defined after a public consultation that will take place in the coming months
For security, military ships are not enough, merchant ships are also essential
London
TUI in talks with shipyards for two new cruise ships for Marella
Hanover
Slots available starting from the 2031 financial year
ANESCO, with the Port Employment Centers, accidents have decreased in the three main Spanish ports
Madrid
67% reduction in lost work days per year
Filt, Fit and Uilt, no to the transformation from "article 18" to "16" of the Livorno port company LTM
Leghorn
Unions ask port authority to block proliferation of new economic entities
Last year Fincantieri recorded record revenues and new orders
Last year Fincantieri recorded record revenues and new orders
Trieste
Folgiero: the first fruits of our strategy and industrial vision have been harvested
COSCO Shipping Holdings revenue increased by +44.8% in the fourth quarter of 2024
COSCO Shipping Holdings revenue increased by +44.8% in the fourth quarter of 2024
Shanghai
In the period, the container ships of the Chinese group's fleet transported 6.9 million TEUs (+13.1%). Containers on the Asia-Europe/Med routes fell
Porto Marghera, renewal of concession to Terminal Rinfuse Venezia
Venice
New 25-year contract. Investments of over 53 million euros expected
In the last quarter of 2024, container traffic alone increased in French ports
Paris
In the whole year, containers amounted to over 5.3 million TEU (+11.5%)
Carnival Sets New Low Season Quarter Records December-February
Carnival Sets New Low Season Quarter Records December-February
Miami
Positive outlook for the remainder of the 2025 financial year
Rail Losing Ground in Transalpine Freight Traffic Through Switzerland
Bern
In 2024, trains transported 25.7 million tons of cargo (-3.7%)
CK Hutchison's Port Division revenues grew by 10.8% last year
Hong Kong
In 2024, Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane recorded a net loss of -208 million euros
Rome
Revenues up by +11.7%. The group's freight transported increased thanks to the acquisition of Exploris
Port of Genoa, Ente Bacini requests new spaces and renewal of the concession
Genoa
Conference to celebrate the centenary of the company
The public meeting of the Italian Port Terminal Operators Association will be held in Rome on June 19th
Genoa
VARD to build offshore dive vessel for Dong Fang Offshore
Alesund/Trieste
The contract is worth 113.5 million euros
Next week Italian ports will participate in Seatrade Cruise Global
Rome
Initiative brand: "CruiseItaly - One Country, Many Destinations"
MSC Group Cruise Terminal Officially Inaugurated in the Port of Barcelona
Barcelona
In 2027 it will be equipped with a cold ironing plant
Marcegaglia and Nova Marine Carriers form NovaMar Logistic joint venture
Lugano/Gazoldo of the Ippoliti
A general cargo ship will transport raw materials to the steel group's plants
Liebherr achieves record annual sales in the maritime and port crane segment
Bulls
Strong demand for offshore and container handling equipment
The annual conference "Programming, Operation and Management of Transport Networks" in Genoa
Genoa
It is dedicated to the transport and mobility sector
Last year, 656 ships underwent repair work in Greece
Piraeus
Increase of five units compared to 2023
Port of La Spezia, cruise ship docking simulations completed at Garibaldi West pier
The Spice
Assagenti conference on the future of the profession of maritime agent and broker
Genoa
It will be held tomorrow in Genoa
Francesco Beltrano is the new general secretary of Uniport
Rome
He takes over from Paolo Ferrandino, who will continue to collaborate as a consultant
Stena Line presents a project for a ro-ro vessel capable of reducing energy consumption by at least 20%
Gothenburg
Introduced most of the innovative technologies currently available
Saipem awarded new contracts in Middle East and Guyana
Milan
The total value of the orders is approximately 720 million dollars.
Conference in Genoa for the centenary of Ente Bacini
Genoa
The company was established on 19 February 1925
Interporto Bologna Board of Directors Renewed
Bentivoglio
Stefano Caliandro Appointed President. Loss of 1.7 million euros in 2024
NYK invests 76 billion yen in NYK Energy Ocean Corporation
Tokyo
The newco has taken over the activities of ENEOS Ocean
Decarbonisation of maritime transport will be faster in the EU and the US
DHL Acquires CRYOPDP
Bonn/Nashville
The company provides courier services for clinics and healthcare
SAILING LIST
Visual Sailing List
Departure ports
Arrival ports by:
- alphabetical order
- country
- geographical areas
Over a million to the port companies of Livorno and Piombino to acquire green vehicles
Leghorn
The ranking for admission to the PNRR-Next Gen Eu contributions has been published
COSCO Shipping Development Co.'s container sales increased by +204.1% in 2024
Shanghai
The related turnover increased by +124.0%
The call for funding for the purchase of electric vehicles in the ports of Genoa and Savona-Vado has been published
Genoa
Yang Ming Buys Three New 8,000 TEU Containerships
Keelung
They will be delivered between 2028 and 2029
Construction of a cruise ship for Regent Seven Seas Cruises begins in Marghera
Trieste
Fincantieri will deliver the unit in 2026
Federlogistica establishes operational offices in Spain and Brazil
Genoa
The aim is to go beyond theoretical cooperative relationships
Over a Ton of Cocaine Seized in the Port of Gioia Tauro
Reggio Calabria
If placed on the market it would have generated over 187 million euros
In 2024, the economic results of Interporto Padova reached record values
Padua
Revenues up +17%
Three ceremonies at the Saint-Nazaire shipyard for three new MSC Cruises ships
Geneva
New flagship "MSC World America" delivered
German railway company DB Cargo reduced losses in 2024
Berlin
Revenues down again. -9.0% drop in freight volumes
NovaAlgoma orders second 38,000 dwt cement carrier in China
Lugano
It will be taken over in 2027
Customs agreement between Italy and Brazil to facilitate trade
Brasilia
Mission of the Customs and Monopolies Agency in the South American nation
A team from La Spezia Container Terminal in Rotterdam to test advanced technologies
The Spice
ECT Hutchinson Ports Training Center Visited
The assembly of Genoese freight forwarders on Monday
Genoa
It will be held at the Palazzo della Borsa in Genoa
Assarmatori, in Italy the ferry segment cannot bear the burden of the EU ETS in a very fragile market situation
Brussels
Messina: Protecting shipping from the ideological excesses of the Green Deal
The website of the Port Authority Corps - Coast Guard has been renewed
Rome
It has become a single digital access point to documents and services
In 2024, inland waterway freight transport in Germany increased by +1.2%
Wiesbaden
The volume, at 173.8 million tonnes, is the second lowest since 1990.
APM Terminals Granted Port of New York - New Jersey Concession Renewal
New York
Contract for a period of 33 years. Investments of 500 million dollars are expected
Experimentation of crane automation has begun at the Interporto Padova terminal
Padua
The interport company awarded the "Industria Felix 2025 Award"
Container traffic in the port of Algeciras fell by -17.0% in February
Algeciras
Both import-export volumes and transhipment are decreasing
New cruise company Crescent Seas has been founded in Miami
Miami
The fleet, initially consisting of one ship from Regent Seven Seas Cruises, will grow to five units within the next five years
In 2024, the volume of vehicles transported by Wallenius Wilhelmsen's fleet decreased by -9.7%
Oslo
Traffic down on almost all global routes
Agreement between Assoporti and Assologistica and the Florida trade, transport and port authorities
Rome
It was signed today
In April a mission in Albania of The International Propeller Clubs - Italy
Genoa
It will take place on the 9th and 10th in Tirana and Durres
COSCO Shipping Ports revenues rose to a record $1.5 billion in 2024 (+3.3%)
Hong Kong
In the fourth quarter alone, a decrease of -3.0%
SO.RI.MA. (FHP group) granted a concession of an area of 125 thousand square meters in the port of Chioggia
Venice
Investments of 11.5 million euros expected over 25 years
PORTS
Italian Ports:
Ancona Genoa Ravenna
Augusta Gioia Tauro Salerno
Bari La Spezia Savona
Brindisi Leghorn Taranto
Cagliari Naples Trapani
Carrara Palermo Trieste
Civitavecchia Piombino Venice
Italian Interports: list World Ports: map
DATABASE
ShipownersShipbuilding and Shiprepairing Yards
ForwardersShip Suppliers
Shipping AgentsTruckers
MEETINGS
The public meeting of the Italian Port Terminal Operators Association will be held in Rome on June 19th
Genoa
The annual conference "Programming, Operation and Management of Transport Networks" in Genoa
Genoa
It is dedicated to the transport and mobility sector
››› Meetings File
PRESS REVIEW
Damen Mangalia Unionists Protest Friday Against Possible Closure
(The Romania Journal)
Govt. to woo top ten shipping liners in world for Colombo port expansion
(Daily Mirror)
››› Press Review File
FORUM of Shipping
and Logistics
Relazione del presidente Nicola Zaccheo
Roma, 18 settembre 2024
››› File
Contship Italia’s intermodal network has been extended to the Gulf Terminal in La Spezia
Melzo
Connections with the inland terminals of Milan, Modena and Padua
Container traffic in the port of Valencia grew by +15.2% last month
Valencia
The overall volume of goods handled increased by +6.8%
The Northern Tyrrhenian Sea Port Authority obtains gender equality certification
Leghorn
It is the first Italian port authority to obtain this recognition
Container traffic growth weakens at ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach
Los Angeles/Long Beach
Last month, increases of +2.6% and +13.4% respectively were recorded
Assarmatori, the Italian government's position on the impact of the EU ETS on shipping and ports is good
Rome
Messina: fully understood the risks and distortions of European climate regulation
PSA Italy's Genoa port terminals awarded anti-corruption certification
Genoa
The UNI EN ISO 37001 standard defines the requirements for an effective anti-corruption management system
Assiterminal presents three projects for the sustainable transition of the Italian port sector
Rome
Work completed on docks 33 and 34 of the port of Civitavecchia
Civitavecchia
50,000 square meters of yards prepared
The completion and doubling of the Pontremolese is the dream-nightmare of the La Spezia port community
The Spice
Fontana: Money is not found when enormous resources are channeled into railway lines of dubious utility
Hanwha acquires 9.9% stake in shipbuilding company Austal
Sydney
Investment worth approximately 116 million US dollars
The European fleet is growing but competing fleets are growing at a faster rate
Brussels
Raptis (European Shipowners): investing ETS revenues in clean shipping technologies and fuels
Trasportounito has confirmed the national halt to the transport of goods
Rome
Proclaimed for the duration of five days from March 31st to April 4th
Container traffic in Hong Kong port increased by +9.1% in February
Hong Kong
However, for the second time in the last 25 years, cargo volume was below one million TEU.
Cargo traffic in Greek ports stable in Q3 2024
Piraeus
The increase in volumes transported on domestic routes has offset the decline in traffic with foreign countries
At the Vado Ligure container terminal a 21,000 teu container ship fully loaded
I go to Liguria
The 400-meter-long Cosco Shipping Nebula has landed
UIR proposes a permanent table for the development of intermodality
Verona
The main task is to build a project financing program.
Restructuring plan approved for Spanish company Armas Trasmediterránea
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
Creditors' appeal rejected
The decline in cargo traffic at the port of Singapore worsened in February
Singapore
Containerized cargoes amounted to 27.4 million tons (-3.6%)
- Via Raffaele Paolucci 17r/19r - 16129 Genoa - ITALY
phone: +39.010.2462122, fax: +39.010.2516768, e-mail
VAT number: 03532950106
Press Reg.: nr 33/96 Genoa Court
Editor in chief: Bruno Bellio
No part may be reproduced without the express permission of the publisher
Search on inforMARE Presentation
Feed RSS Advertising spaces

inforMARE in Pdf
Mobile