The EU Commission has proposed to make 2021 the European Year of Rail, to support the delivery of its European Green Deal objectives in the transport field. A series of events, campaigns and initiatives in 2021 will promote rail as a sustainable, innovative and safe mode of transport

Many shipping companies have pulled their vessels from the Suez Canal route as Houthi rebels in Yemen continue to fire at cargo ships. Some exporters are now using the overland rail route between China and Europe, with enquiries doubling since the Red Sea attacks began.