Category: Infrastructure

  • AKTOR accelerated works at A10 Sebes – Turda Motorway

    AKTOR accelerated works at A10 Sebes – Turda Motorway

    AKTOR has significantly accelerated works, with the project marking considerable progress.

    The construction of the 24.25 km section extending from Paraul Iovului to Aiud by the AKTOR-Euro Construct Joint Venture, now employs over 600 employees, with AKTOR planning to increase staff to over 750, for the completion of the project.  

    The company has also increased the specialized construction equipment used in the project, as 139 trucks, 26 compactors, 31 excavators, 8 bulldozers, 5 finishers (asphalt and BSC paving machines), 7 graders, 9 concrete/concrete pump trucks and other specialized construction machinery, such as build buldo-excavators, water tanks, cranes, front-loaders, big and small generators, drilling machines,have been deployed along the section.  

    Additionally 2 asphalt stations, 2 stations of subbase stabilized with cement and a concrete production station are also now in full operation to support the execution of asphalt paving, BSC laying, earthworks soil consolidation and roadside drainage works which are currently being carried out intensively at various sites of the project. 

  • Overnight stays in Vienna decreased by 98.2% in April

    Overnight stays in Vienna decreased by 98.2% in April

    Overnight stays in Vienna have shrunk by 98.2% to only 29.000 last month. From January to April, 2.564.000 overnight stays were counted, which means a drop of 46.8%.     

    Since April 4, accommodation businesses have no longer been able to accept leisure guests and the lockdown in mid-March has largely brought business trips to a standstill. 

    Vienna’s accommodation providers registered 29.000 overnight stays in April, 98.2% less than in the same month of the previous year, almost half of which came from Austria. 

    Arrivals decreased by 99.2% to 5.628. The average occupancy of the hotel beds fell to 4.5% (04/2019: 67.5%), that of the rooms to around 6% (04/2019: around 87%). 

    A total of around 17.100 hotel beds were available in Vienna in April 2020, around 74% less than in the same month last year. 

    The turnover of overnight stays by accommodation providers in Vienna fell in March – data for April are not yet available – by 79% to 14.017.000 euros. 

    From January to March, the companies generated EUR 123.654.000, 26.5% less than in the corresponding period in 2019. 

  • ParkDots brings smart parking in Pardubice, Czechia

    ParkDots brings smart parking in Pardubice, Czechia

    Residents and visitors to the city of Pardubice have the opportunity to use the mobile application ParkDots when parking.

    The parking system comes from the IT workshop of PosAm (Deutsche Telekom Group).

    In the ParkDots application, drivers in Pardubice can use the event called “Park for the Duck!”. Until the end of June, they will pay only CZK 1 for parking with ParkDots. Each user can use the action three times for one license plate.

  • Direct freight trains will connect China with Germany and Russia

    Direct freight trains will connect China with Germany and Russia

    Two freight trains carrying goods from Suzhou, east China on May 12, left the city for Russia and Germany, respectively, reported Xinhua.

    The freight trains are loaded with 172 containers of industrial products such as household appliances and medical devices valuing about 100 million yuan. It has been the first time for the freight trains to load cargo from the FTZ in Suzhou.

    The operation of the freight train services in Suzhou FTZ is conducive to alleviating the shortage of logistics capacity affected by the COVID-10 epidemic for local enterprises as well as saving transportation costs.

    The city of Suzhou, the economic heartland of Jiangsu, was a significant contributor to the freight service’s increase. It recorded a surge in freight trains, containers, and freight volume in March this year.

    Local customs vows to continue to facilitate freight train operation by supporting self-service customs clearance, streamline customs procedures, and supporting cross-border e-commerce business via the freight train.

    It is noted that the Jiangsu international railway logistic center’s customs supervision zone was officially launched on the same day as the freight train’s departure.

  • Largest fall in Italy’s construction sector since 1995

    Largest fall in Italy’s construction sector since 1995

    In March 2020 construction output fell by 36.2% in the month on month series, showing the largest fall on record since the series began, back in 1995.

    In the first quarter of 2020, production in construction was down 6.8% when compared with the previous quarter.

    The year on year unadjusted index for construction output sharply dropped by 33.1%, while the calendar adjusted index fell dramatically by 35.4% (22 calendar working days versus 21 days in March 2019).

  • KLM will fly from Schiphol to 31 intercontinental destinations

    KLM will fly from Schiphol to 31 intercontinental destinations

    From Monday 18 May to Sunday 24 May inclusive, KLM will fly from Schiphol to 31 intercontinental destinations, show KLM.com.

    All flights as scheduled in the summer schedule are subject to change. It is customers own responsibility to take note of the various restrictions that vary from country to country and from person to person and may change at any time.

    Air France and KLM have issued vouchers

    Air France and KLM have issued refundable vouchers as a commercial response to massive flight cancellations. These vouchers can be reimbursed after 12 months if they have not been (fully) used.

    To enhance the attractiveness of the vouchers, issued before or after 15th May the companies added a bonus of 15% to the total value of the initial ticket.

    This extra value can be used for a new booking but will not be included in the cash payout after 12 months if no new booking has been made.

  • Scania will deliver 75 battery electric trucks to ASKO in Norway

    Scania will deliver 75 battery electric trucks to ASKO in Norway

    Scania will deliver up to 75 battery electric trucks to ASKO over the following three years. Earlier this year, ASKO started operations with four hydrogen powered fuel cell electric Scania trucks and in February, ASKO added two battery electric Scania distribution trucks to its fleet.

    ASKO has now – within its three-year framework agreement with Scania for 2020-2022 – stated its intension to order up to 75 battery electric trucks.

    ”Our goal is to have an emission free fleet of trucks by 2026. The battery electric trucks from Scania are an important step on the journey towards fossil free transports for ASKO,” says Torbjørn Johannson, Chairman of the Board, ASKO NORGE AS.

    Scania recently presented its approved Science Based Targets, which not only include a dramatic reduction of its own carbon emission but also its clear quantified aim to ensure reduced emissions among its customers.

    Scania’s official launch plans for its battery electric trucks will be presented later in 2020.

  • World’s largest private airport operator reported a 98.3% decline in passenger traffic

    World’s largest private airport operator reported a 98.3% decline in passenger traffic

    Corporacion America Airports, the largest private sector airport operator in the world by number of airports, reported a 98.3% decline year-over-year passenger traffic in April 2020.

    Total passenger traffic in April 2020 dropped 98.3% YoY, primarily reflecting continued travel restrictions imposed by governments, aiming to contain the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    International traffic declined by 98.7% YoY, while domestic traffic dropped 98.2% YoY.

    In Argentina, total passenger traffic decreased 99.3% YoY, as a result of prolonged measures implemented mid-March by the Government restricting both international and domestic flights to contain the breakout.

    International passenger traffic declined 98.5% with minimum levels due to repatriation flights, while domestic passenger traffic dropped 99.7% YoY.

    In Brazil, total passenger traffic dropped 96.2% YoY, driven by decreases of 95.5% in domestic passenger traffic and 99.4% in international traffic. Passenger traffic declined 98.5% YoY in Uruguay, 97.5% in Armenia and 98.6% in Ecuador.

    In Italy, passenger traffic declined 99.9%

    In Italy, passenger traffic declined 99.9% YoY, with traffic at Florence airport down 100% YoY due to the temporary halt of operations from March 14 to May 4, 2020 as per government regulations, while passenger traffic at Pisa Airport was down 99.9% YoY.

    Cargo volume decreased 56.2% on April 2020, mainly due to declines of 54.2% in Argentina, 87.7% in Brazil, 76.8% in Ecuador and 70.0% in Armenia; partially offset by a 60.6% increase in Uruguay, as a result of extraordinarily high seed exports.

    Aircraft movements declined 90.2% YoY in April 2020, driven by decreases across all segments due to travel restrictions: 92.1% in Argentina, 85.5% in Brazil, 96.8% in Italy, 87.7% in Ecuador, 84.9% in Uruguay, 87.0% in Armenia and 83.0% in Peru.

    Corporacion America Airports operates 52 airports in 7 countries across Latin America and Europe (Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Peru, Ecuador, Armenia and Italy)

  • Austrian Airlines flight suspension extended until June 7

    Austrian Airlines flight suspension extended until June 7

    Austrian Airlines has decided to extend the suspension of regular flight operations at least for another week, from May 31 to June 7, 2020. A restart during the month of June is under review.

    Austrian Airlines says that due to worldwide travel restrictions caused by the corona pandemic, the demand for air travel is still low.

    The Austrian federal government announced that the borders with Germany and possibly other countries would be reopened on June 15.

    “When the demand is right and the travel restrictions fall, we want to fly again”, says Austrian Airlines Chief Commercial Officer Andreas Otto.

  • Hungary construction volume decreased by 3.4% in March

    Hungary construction volume decreased by 3.4% in March

    The volume of construction output, based on raw data, was 3.4% lower in March 2020 than a year earlier, Hungarian Central Statistical Office latest data show.

    Output of the two main groups of construction developed inversely: in the construction of buildings it grew by 0.3%, in civil engineering works went down by 10.0%.

    Based on seasonally and working day adjusted indices construction output lessened by 5.2% compared to the February data. In the 1st quarter construction producer prices increased by 8.5% compared to the same period of the previous year.

    In March 2020, compared to the same month of the previous year

    The output of the two main groups of construction developed inversely: in the construction of buildings it rose by 0.3%, in civil engineering decreased by 10.0% compared to the high base of the previous year.

    Out of the divisions of construction, output volume went down by 4.0% in the construction of buildings and by 13.7% in civil engineering while specialised construction activities were higher by 2.6% year-on-year.

    The volume of new contracts decreased by 9.9%, within it the volume of new contracts concluded for the construction of buildings was 31.4% lower, the volume for civil engineering works was 18.9% higher than one year earlier.

    The volume of the February end-of –month stock of contracts at construction enterprises was 16.3% lower than at the end of March 2019. The volume of contracts increased by 2.7% for the construction of buildings and decreased by 24.4% for civil engineering works.

  • Concession Agreement for the development of Alimos Marina, signed

    Concession Agreement for the development of Alimos Marina, signed

    The signing process of the Concession Agreement between the competent Ministers- Representatives of the Greek State, the Public Properties Company (ETAD), HRADF, AKTOR CONCESSIONS and the Concessionaire “DEVELOPMENT OF NEW ALIMOS MARINA” was completed.

    From now on, AKTOR Concessions undertakes the responsibility to reshape and regenerate the land and maritime areas, highlighting the comparative advantages of Alimos Marina.

    More specifically, the Development Plan provides the creation of a marina that will be a modern and attractive pole of leisure and business activity with upgraded, functional and outdoor spaces.

    In this new, multifaceted and protected environment, a series of business and recreational activities will be developed, with a set of options and services that will make Alimos Marina a point of reference for the “Athenian Riviera”, but also for the Mediterranean region.

    How Alimos Marina project looks

    In the land zone of the marina, that spans nearly across 210 acres, 18,000 m² of modern design, upscale ground floor or up to two stories premises  will be developed for recreation, dining, hospitality services, office spaces, boat parking and repair services, as well as for commercial use.

    The surrounding area of the marina’s land zone will be landscaped in such a way so as to incorporate streets, pedestrian lanes, bicycle paths, parking spaces, as well as green areas to host outdoor cultural events for the visitors. Moreover, both the working spaces that will be constructed, as well as the warehouses, the repair services spaces and the retail establishments will be addressed to the most important companies in professional yacht charters, as well as to other companies that are active in the boats segment, the tourism sector as well as to the wider entrepreneurship.

    The maritime zone of the Alimos Marina, an area of 428 acres, disposes of nearly 1,000 berths, after the reconstruction of the floating pontoons, which will present a new, modern design that will make the best use of the necessary space for offering top quality services to the vessels and their users.

    Furthermore, special attention will be paid to the modernization of important areas for the smooth operation of the dock, such as modern establishments (pillars) for boats refueling, other safety facilities, lighting, security with automated surveillance systems etc.

    Finally, there will be special provision for maintaining the marina area and especially the waterfront area clean, in order to protect the environment from the marina operation, preserve the high cleaning standards and comply with the regulation for the collection and disposal of all waste (liquid and solid, from vessels and other uses).

  • Passenger car registrations fell by two thirds in Austria last month

    Passenger car registrations fell by two thirds in Austria last month

    In April 2020, the number of new passenger car registrations (11.220) declined by 64.9%, according to Statistics Austria.

    New registrations of petrol-driven passenger cars sunk by 71.0% (share: 44.8%), those of diesel cars by 63.8% (share: 40.0%). Fewer new registrations were recorded for new electric cars (-23.1%; share: 5.0%).

    VW and Skoda lead the top

    The passenger car makes with the highest registration figures were VW (share: 14.7%), Skoda (share: 13.1%) and BMW (share: 7.6%).

    Among the Top 10 car makes, all makes recorded double-digit declines: Skoda -44.7%, Renault -51.4%, Audi -56.7%, Mercedes -57.6%, BMW -57.7%, Peugeot -62.3%, VW -66.6%, Kia -67.2%, Ford -67.5% and Seat -74.0%.

    The market for new commercial vehicles showed increases for tractors used for agriculture and forestry (+5.8%). Fewer registrations were reported for lorries category (cat.) N3 (-33.4%), lorries cat. N2 (-44.2%), lorries cat. N1 (49.3%) and articulated lorries (-65.0%).

    Among the two-wheelers, fewer registrations were recorded for new motorcycles (-22.2%) and scooters (-60.5%).

    In total, 19 950 motor vehicles were newly registered in April 2020, thus the decrease compared to April 2019 amounted to 56.6%.

    January to April 2020: new passenger cars -41.6%; new motor vehicles -39,3%

    From January to April 2020, the number of new passenger car registrations decreased by 41.6% to 65.900, or 46.906 vehicles fewer than in the same period of 2019.

    The total number of newly registered motor vehicles declined by 39.3% or 59.223 to 91.580.