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Read the latest headlines about developments in the international rail industry in Vienna and Austria
Vienna International Rail Industry News
Bratislava - Vienna Railway Line Extended
The two EU capitals Vienna and Bratislava are approaching each other. After a construction period of about two years, representatives of Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB), the EU, the City of Vienna and the Province of Lower Austria opened the first part, the so-called "Vienna section" of the Vienna - Bratislava line extension. The completion of the second part, the so-called "Lower Austrian Section", will last until 2023. The journey time from the main railway station in Vienna (Hauptbahnhof-Wien) to the main railway station in Bratislava (Bratislava hlavná stanica) will be reduced from 66 minutes to 40 minutes.
December 5, 2018
What Does Austria Have to Do with the Silk Road Project?
The Chinese "One Belt One Road Initiative", also known as the New Silk Road, is China's strategic measure of the century to make the entire Euro-Asian region including Africa even more dependent on its products and investments. Now the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB), the Vienna Chamber of Commerce and the ambassadors from China and Kazakhstan have joined forces to convince the Austrian population and politicians that the connection of Austria via broad-gauge railway to the Silk Road is an opportunity of the century.
November 30, 2018
Danube Region Business Forum - Infrastructure and Its Implications on Business in CEE and SEE
The Danube Region is one of the traditionally important markets for Central European regions and companies. However, the infrastructure of this region does not yet meet the requirements of the economy. The 8th Danube Region Business Forum will take place on 9 October 2018 at the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber in Vienna. The aim of the forum is to ensure that the infrastructural quality and cooperations in the region meet the requirements of the economy.
October 3, 2018
Port of Vienna as International Trimodal Logistics Hub for Water, Rail and Road
Peter Hanke, City Councillor for Economic Affairs, together with Doris Rechberg-Missbichler, Managing Director of Wien Holding, and Fritz Lehr and Doris Pulker-Rohrhofer, Managing Directors of the Port of Vienna, presented the balance sheet of the Port of Vienna for the year 2017. Turnover amounts to 58.1 million euros (+2.3%), earnings before taxes 14.8 million euros (+16.5%).
September 14, 2018
Vladimir Putin on PR Campaign in Austria
Vladimir Putin is on his sixth official state visit to Austria. Officially, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the gas supply contract between Austria and Russia, this is a working visit to President Van der Bellen and Chancellor Kurz. In fact, a new gas supply contract between Gazprom and OMV is the main reason for the visit. Other gas deals are still in the negotiation phase, namely the Gazprom Urengoy gas field asset swap and the Nordstream 2 pipeline project. The Central European Gas Hub in Baumgarten/Lower Austria, an important gas distribution hub from the Russian perspective, could also be on the agenda.
June 5, 2018
Doppelmayr to Build Cable Liner at London Airport
At London Luton Airport, Doppelmayr is building a cable car almost two kilometers long with a capacity of 2,720 passengers per hour and per route. This makes Luton Airport the second airport project in the UK after Birmingham for Doppelmayr. The Cable Liner is scheduled to go into operation in April 2021. Doppelmayr does not give details of the project turnover.
April 23, 2018
Strabag to Build Rail Tunnel in Toronto
Strabag has had an infrastructure contract in Toronto awarded to its Canadian subsidiary. The scope of the work includes the construction of a 180 m long tunnel under Highway 401 to accommodate two tracks operated by Ontario's public transport agency Metrolinx. The full investment volume amounts to about EUR 77 million.
January 17, 2018
Indian Ministry of Railways Discusses India-Austria Railway Cooperations
The Indian Minister of Railways, Shri Suresh Prabhu paid a visit to Austria. In an event organized by the Chamber of Commerce H.E. Mr. Prabhu met with CEOs and Austrian Railway Companies to discuss possible further India-Austria cooperations in the field of railways technology.
July 21, 2016
Bawag Laying Off Further 180 to 200 Employees
Bawag Bank will optimize its branches and in course of the process will cut 180 to 200 jobs. 70 to 80 of the affected employees are supposed to be sent back to their actual employers - Post AG.
May 3, 2016
Siemens Austria Builds World's Largest Metro Project in Saudi Arabia
The Austrian unit of Siemens announced in Vienna Simmering at the rollout of the first vehicle that a "a very, very big order” has been secured. With six lines and a total route length of 175 kilometers, the capital of Saudi Arabia Riyadh is planning the world's largest subway project. Siemens is to supply the entire turnkey system for two driverless metro lines.
February 24, 2016
EU to Crack Down on Postal Rip-Offs including Austrian Post
The FT reports that Brussels is preparing a regulatory crackdown against rip-off pricing by national postal operators on cross-border parcel deliveries. According to a study, cross-border parcel deliveries are often five times more expensive than identical trips on the domestic market. While the price of a standard 2 kg parcel delivery in Austria with the national postal operator is €4.44, to have that same parcel send to neighbouring Italy would cost €14. Sending the same parcel back from Italy to Austria will rise to €25. In order to connect the common market, the EU wants to develop the potential of e-commerce and to boost cross-border trade. According to the FT, a spokeswoman of the European Commission said that early next year the Commission will “launch measures to enhance price transparency and regulatory oversight” of the European parcel delivery market.
December 22, 2015
New Vienna Central Station Offers New Connections and Shorter Travel Times
With the timetable change on 13 December 2015, Vienna Central Station and Vienna Meidling train station will be assuming their full role as a regional transportation hub. Bringing together the Western, Southern, Eastern and Northern Routes at Vienna Central Station and Vienna Meidling, creates a transportation hub with direct connection to all Austrian state capitals as well as Vienna Airport. For travelers this means better connections, shorter travel times and more comfortable traveling.
December 7, 2015 · Updated: December 7, 2015; 18:15
Californian Woman Can Not Take Austrian Railways to Court in the US
Supreme Court says, Carol Sachs who was heavily injured in Innsbruck can’t sue in the US. Her lawsuit against the Austrian national railroad ÖBB for injuries that she suffered while attempting to board a train in Austria does not fall within the “commercial activity” exception to the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act, and is therefore barred by the doctrine of sovereign immunity. The American wanted USD 20 million compensation from ÖBB.
December 2, 2015
Austrian Railways Eyes Acquisitions Across Central and Eastern Europe
Oesterreichische Bundesbahnen (OeBB), the Austrian state railway operator, is eyeing rail cargo operator buys across Central and Eastern Europe, a source close to the company and a person claiming knowledge of the situation said. OeBB, with EUR 3bn in revenue, believes a number of opportunities will soon come up in countries “east of Austria”, including countries of the former Yugoslavia, the source said.
July 6, 2015
Gebrüder Weiss Opens Three Branches in Moscow
Logistics Company Gebrüder Weiss is consolidating its network, and with the Russian location, will be closing a geographical gap between its branches in Europe and Asia.
January 13, 2015
New Post Logistics Center Opens in Upper Austria
Listed postal service provider Post AG has officially inaugurated the new logistics centre in Allhaming, Upper Austria. Built for EUR 50 million (USD 64 million) and used since the beginning of August instead of the centre located at the Linz main train station, it has been designed for daily up to 1.6 million letters and 100,000 packages. Some 650 employees work in the new post office near the motorway Westautobahn. Various political officials participated in the inauguration.
October 17, 2014
Ederer Elected as Supervisory Board President of ÖBB Austrian Railways
A few days after her resignation from the ÖIAG Supervisory Board the former Siemens manager Brigitte Ederer was elected unanimously to the top of the ÖBB Supervisory Board.
September 11, 2014
Ederer Resigns as Supervisory Board Member of OIAG
Brigitte Ederer resigns as supervisory board member and leaves state holding company OIAG.
September 9, 2014
Transport & Logistics - DB Schenker Opens New Logistics Center in Belgrade
DB Schenker will be moving into a new logistics center near Belgrade/Serbia at the beginning of 2015. The center will offer customers the technology for specialized logistics solutions.
August 29, 2014
ÖBB Chairman Pöchhacker is Dead
The longtime chairman of the board of ÖBB and former CEO of the construction company Porr, Horst Pöchhacker, died on Wednesday after a short illness at the age of 75 years.
August 13, 2014
Siegfried Wolf New OIAG Supervisory Board Chairman
OIAG's supervisory board has appointed Siegfried Wolf as the new Chairman of the supervisory board.
June 27, 2014
Austrian Export Award 2014 for Above-Average Export Commitment
As part of a festive gala evening in Vienna's Museumsquartier, the Austrian Export Prize 2014 has been awarded by the Federal Minister for Science, Research and Economics, Reinhold Mitterlehner, and the President of the Economic Chamber Austria (WKO) Christoph Leitl.
June 26, 2014
AIRail: New Type of Rail Connections Between Linz and Vienna International Airport
From 14 December 2014, Austrian Airlines and ÖBB are to launch a cooperation entitled ‘AIRail’ on the Linz central station – Vienna Airport – Linz central station route. In future, Austrian passengers with an Austrian flight either preceding or following their rail journey will also be able to use new ÖBB connections with an Austrian flight number between Linz central station and Vienna Airport.
June 16, 2014
Yakunin: Broad-Gauge System from Vladivostock to Vienna to Be Established
Vladimir Yakunin, head of the Russian Railways (RZD), wants to stick to his strategic plans and establish an uninterrupted rail link between Vienna and Vladivostock.
May 24, 2014
Romania: Privatization of Railroad Company Flopped
The privatization of Romanian freight railroad company CFR Marfa failed. The sale of shares is part of the conditions with IMF, the World Bank and the European Union.
October 17, 2013
Poland to Improve Railway Infrastructure
According to CIR, the Polish government’s press center, the government plans on spending PLN 979m on railway infrastructure in 2014 and a further amount of PLN 692m in 2015.
October 16, 2013
Lopatka Demands Reform for Austrian Railways
State Secretary Lopatka demands Minister of Infrastructure Bures to tackle the expensive pension system at the Austrian Railways by doing away with privliges for emplyoees in order to unburden tax payers.
September 4, 2013
Transport & Logistics - DB Schenker to Expand its Operations in Croatia
Simultaneously with the accession of Croatia into the EU, and thus the abolition of customs borders between Croatia and the EU countries, Schenker positions itself on that market as a potential logistics partner.
September 3, 2013 · Sponsored Content
Kapsch Successfully Completes Interoperability Tests for GSM-R
Train communication systems from Kapsch CarrierCom successfully tested according to EU interoperability specifications.
June 28, 2013
Kapsch Technology Ensures Safety on the Mecca-Medina Railway Line with it GSM-R Solution
The Prestigious High-speed rail on the pilgrimage route between the two holy cities of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is being equipped with the GSM-R solution of Kapsch.
June 24, 2013
Austria: Reduction in Working Hours at ÖBB
So far, the trade association of railways at the Austrian Chamber of Commerce (WKO) has rejected the reduction of working hours at the Austrian Railways (ÖBB).
June 20, 2013
Austria: Raids by EU Commission at ÖBB
The Austrian Railways is alleged of having agreed to fixed prices with other companies. House searches were carried out.
June 19, 2013
Zagreb: In-depth Analysis of SEE Infrastructure Development Plans
Many countries of Southeast Europe are outlining ambitious infrastructure development plans within transport, social, energy and environmental projects.
June 1, 2013
Vienna: Infrastructure & Construction Summit Brings Together All Balkan Countries
Government ministers from Austria and various Balkan countries will be discussing infrastructure and construction in the region at a two-day summit in Vienna at the end of May.
April 30, 2013 · Sponsored Content
Lopatka: „Poland Important Economic Partner and Ally of Austria in EU“
Austrian State Secretary encourages bilateral relations and trade between the two Central European countries as well as improved relations between EU and US.
April 30, 2013
Voestalpine: Compensations for Deutsche Bahn
Deutsche Bahn (DB) is to receive compensations by Austrian steel manufacturer voestalpine.
April 29, 2013
Austria: Haselsteiner to Increase Share at Westbahn
Hans Peter Haselsteiner, CEO of Strabag, is going to increase his stake in Westbahn to 47 %, the railway company, which is in majority privately held and main competition for Austrian Railways (ÖBB).
April 23, 2013
Eder: Future of Voestalpine and Steel Manufacturing Industry
In an interview CEO of voestalpine, Wolfgang Eder explains the current situation on the steel market and points out that mass products will come from CESEE countries in the future.
April 4, 2013
Strikes Paralyze Poland
Protests against government’s changes in education, social and labor policy.
March 27, 2013
Bulgaria: Latest Protests Against Privatizing of Railway
Protesters in three cities gathered to demonstrate against the privatization of the freight division of the Bulgarian state railroads (BDZ).
March 12, 2013
Hungary Enlarges Railway Network
State Secretary on Foreign Relations Peter Szijjarto announced that MAV (Hungarian Railways) starts its biggest investment program since WWII.
February 28, 2013
Austrian Railways Achieved Net Profit Last Year
For the first time for decades, Austrian railways (ÖBB) could generate profits after taxes.
February 26, 2013
Romania Privatizes Freight Division of National Railways
Romania´s government sells a 51% stake in CFR Marfa, the publicly held rail freight company.
February 6, 2013
Austrian Railways: Sale is „No Issue”
Christian Kern, CEO of Austrian Railways (ÖBB) underlines that the company must not be sold.
November 24, 2012
Austrian Railways: Net Income to Reach € 200m in Medium Term
Despite the difficult economic situation, CEO Christian Kern aims to increase the profitability further. “The fourth quarter will be brutal.” he says.
October 20, 2012
Austrian Railways: Pöchhacker Opposes to Privatization Plans
Horst Pöchhacker, President of ÖBB´s (Austrian Railways) is against a privatization of the company. Vice-Chancellor Michael Spindelegger (ÖVP) recently suggested to sell ÖBB to Frank Stronach.
September 10, 2012
ÖBB to Become Privatized?
In the summer talks of Austria´s public broadcaster ORF, Vice Chancellor commented that the founder of Magna Frank Stronach should acquire ÖBB (Austrian Railways). A highly controversial debate has begun.
September 8, 2012
Poland as European Logistics Hub
Real estate analysts predict that Poland will become Europe´s logistics hub in 2020.
September 1, 2012
Austrian Railways to Record Profits
In the first six months of 2012, ÖBB (Austrian Railways) has recorded operating profits.
August 16, 2012
Austrian Railways to Record Profits Already in 2012
Christian Kern, CEO of Austrian Railways, explains that the company´s restructuring is going on. The results would be better than the expectations.
July 16, 2012
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