Rail freight traffic in Europe 2012–2019

In 2019, some 3.1 trillion tonne kilometers of cargo were transported on railways in Europe. That year, Europe accounted for roughly one-third of global rail freight traffic.

High-speed rail expansion in the Baltics

The 870-kilometer-long high-speed Rail Baltica project will comprise one of the most important stretches of high-speed rail in Europe, with over 94 kilometers located in Latvia: the geographically strategic hub for European and Eurasian railroad traffic. Intended for both freight and passenger rail operations, investments for the project’s commission amount to roughly 5.8 billion euros in total. Rail Baltica has been actively pushed forward instead of delayed during the ongoing Covid-19 crisis, with the belief that the project will help promote economic development and recovery in the region amid the global pandemic.

The New Silk Road: from China to Europe

Also named the Belt and Road initiative, China’s New Silk Road concept proposes passage linking Asia, Africa, and Europe by rail, road, and sea. The objective of this project is to further boost trade between Europe and Asia – predominantly China. Several billion U.S. dollars’ worth of investment from China has already been pumped into countries along the New Silk Road, such as Russia, Pakistan, and Italy. Although the project has been met with skepticism, it is thought that the benefits of the New Silk Road will be numerous: lower transport costs, reduced transport durations, and new opportunities for developing markets along the route.