High-speed trains How Deutsche Bahn is planning the future of the ICE

As of: 06/09/2021 7:59 a.m.

Deutsche Bahn is currently expanding its fleet with new fourth generation ICE trains. They should be more reliable, but also slower than their predecessors. What are the future plans for the ICE? By André Kartschall, RBB The ICE fleet of Deutsche Bahn (DB) is growing. Instead of the current 330, 420 high-speed trains are to run within five years. This should connect the big cities in a much closer cycle. At some point, a fleet of 600 ICE trains will be on the move in Germany, according to the vision. “We get a new train every three weeks,” says Berthold Huber, Board Member for Passenger Transport at DB. Deutsche Bahn is currently receiving fourth generation ICE trains. They are more reliable and comfortable and now also have air conditioning systems that can withstand a hot summer. This was not always the case with the predecessors at all outside temperatures. But the ICE 4 also has a special feature: it is slower than its predecessor. He can do a maximum of 250 kilometers per hour. There have also been ICEs that drove more than 300. From August the ICE 4 should be allowed to be released for at least 265 kilometers per hour.

The eternal rival TGV

Deutsche Bahn is relying fully on the ICE in its future strategy. But the limits of what is feasible have long been fixed. For all that is known, the ICE will never be as fast as the French TGV, for example. That is not necessarily due to the train itself. But the ICE cannot shake off the comparison with its French neighbor. While the TGV reaches 320 km / h and speeds through the country without intermediate stops, German ICE trains struggle from city to city, sometimes with stops every half hour. This also increases the travel time. But also the number of people who can easily get on a long-distance train. Germany took a completely different path than France. In principle, nothing should change in that regard. TGVs run on their own tracks that are reserved only for them and have been upgraded to high speed. The ICE has to share the route network with everyone else – and therefore sometimes torment its way through the landscape at 120 km / h. Only special routes for the ICE would really change that. But they are not in sight.

Improvements, not revolutions

In addition, unlike in France, Germany’s major cities and thus the stops are so close together that it would be neither economical nor passenger-friendly to let the trains run at maximum speed. “That is why we in Germany will stay at top speeds of around 300 km / h,” says Huber. The fact that the ICE will have to be said to be slower than its French counterpart in the future cannot be changed, but it is in the nature of things, according to Deutsche Bahn. Two countries with completely different conditions would come to completely different solutions. “Basically, both of them did it right – each for themselves,” says Huber. The planned advances in Germany are of a rather minor nature: accessibility for wheelchair users, bicycle compartments, a better room layout for passengers and just a few km / h more at top speed should bring the next few years.

In the next generation up to 300 km / h

The travel time should not have a significant impact on all of this – and thus also not the competitiveness with the aircraft. After all: the fourth generation should be followed by a faster one – a further development of the predecessor. The ICE 3neo is said to be capable of speeds of up to 320 kilometers per hour, roughly as much as the original third generation. However, the German route network is only permitted up to 300 km / h at its fastest points.

The move comes nearly two months after the submarine KRI Nanggala sank off the island of Bali during training and China increased its activity near the Natunas. According to analysts, the frigate deal with Italy highlights Jakarta’s concerns after being “intruded into its territorial waters” by Beijing’s ships. An Indonesian navy ship leaves to rescue the sunken submarine Kri Nanggala. Photo: Xinhua News Agency SCMP cited a leaked document revealing that the Indonesian Defense Ministry is expected to propose a budget of 124 billion USD, to be divided over 5 years. This is three times more than five years earlier ($38.8 billion). At the same time, the website of Fincantieri Shipbuilding Company (Italy) confirmed that Jakarta has signed a contract to buy 6 new FREMM multi-purpose frigates and 2 used Italian MaStrale frigates. The two MaStrale ships will be delivered after the Italian navy retires them. “The agreement underscores the importance of strengthening cooperation between the two countries in the strategic Pacific region,” Fincantieri said. “The destroyer agreement shows that European countries are increasing their engagement in the Indo-Pacific region,” said Muhamad Haripin, a researcher at the Political Research Center of the Indonesian Academy of Sciences. European countries increasingly respond to the foreign policies of US President Joe Biden, against the rise of China in the region. According to Mr. Haripin, Indonesia is in need of more patrol boats to monitor the 54,000 km long coastline and vast waters. “Indonesia is concerned about China’s growing assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific region. It realizes that the rivalry between China and the US can affect regional stability but does not want to interfere. attend directly,” said Mr. Haripin. China claims to have fishing rights in the North Natuna waters and sends fishing boats and coast guard to the area, but Indonesia objected.

Ekaterinburg submarine of the Russian Navy. Photo: TASS Business Insider (USA) reported that the Delta-IV class submarine Ekaterinburg has spent nearly 2 years waiting at the port in Severodvinsk. Ekaterinburg’s decommissioning also marks the “final chapter” of the Delta class that has been the mainstay of the Soviet and Russian fleets of nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines for decades. It is expected that Delta-class submarines will be replaced by advanced Borei-class ships. Delta IV class submarines are part of a group of 43 ballistic missile nuclear submarines with the first being launched in the early 70s of the last century. There are seven Delta IV submarines in service with the Russian Navy. Among them is the Podmoskovye which in 2016 was converted into a Special Mission submarine dedicated to intelligence missions. It is known that Ekaterinburg is the second ship of the Delta-IV class to be produced, built in 1985. On August 6, 1989, during Operation Behemoth, the Ekaterinburg submarine tested 16 R-29RM Shtil ballistic missiles. while in diving mode. The first launch was successful, but a fuel leak in the rocket during the second launch halted the test. The Ekaterinburg was fortunately unharmed. Not stopping there, in 2011, a serious fire occurred on the Ekaterinburg ship. The ship then had to undergo a three-year repair process.

Container charges increased more than 4 times According to Drewry World, the container freight rate announced on May 27, 2021 for a 40-foot container from Shanghai (China) to Rotterdam (Netherlands) has increased to USD 10,174, up 3.1% from a week earlier and up 485% from a year ago. The global container freight rate index (which includes eight major routes) was up 2%, to $6,257 from a week earlier and 293% higher from a year ago. Freight rates are at their highest levels since 2011. Container freight rates are rising because demand is outstripping supply due to a shortage of 20- and 40-foot containers. In the context of consumer demand and the price of basic raw materials, commodities increased sharply, leading many businesses to increase stockpiling of goods, disruption from the congestion of the Suez Canal at the end of March 2021. Port congestion is causing delays and higher costs for shippers, while ocean carriers enjoy sky-high profits. According to the chairman of a seafood processing company, it is estimated that the freight rate of container ships from Vietnam to Europe has increased more than four times, from 1,700-1,800 USD/container to 7,000-8,000 USD/container compared to before the epidemic occurred. out. Freight rates to the East Coast of the United States have increased more than 1.7 times, from 4,500 USD to 8,000 – 10,000 USD/container. Opportunities are not spread evenly On the listed stock exchange today, the number of enterprises providing shipping services is relatively small. Enterprises such as Hai An Transport and Loading Joint Stock Company (code HAH), PetroVietnam Transportation Joint Stock Corporation (code PVT), Vietnam Shipping Joint Stock Company (code) can be mentioned immediately. VOS)… The shipping market share is still mainly in the hands of foreign enterprises. At PVT, in recent years, the business has continuously pursued a fleet rejuvenation strategy to increase business efficiency, by the end of 2020 owns a fleet of 34 ships. The company operates mainly in the field of transporting crude oil, oil products, transporting LPG…, products related to the parent company is the Vietnam Oil and Gas Group (PVN). Therefore, PVT is not able to decide on freight prices, leading to stable gross profit margin and no growth, although oil prices and freight rates have fluctuated in recent years. At VOS, as of December 31, 2020, the company owns a fleet of 12 ships with a total tonnage of 405,112 dwt, including 8 dry and bulk cargo ships; 2 product tankers and 2 container ships. In addition, the enterprise also periodically leases a number of ships to maintain regular fleet operations of 12-14 ships. VOS’s fleet operates regularly in Southeast Asia, Northeast Asia, West Africa, Australia, South America… However, the disadvantage of VOS is that the fleet is quite old and has not been renewed due to its financial potential. limited, while import-export businesses often require larger shipments and prefer new generation fleets. HAH owns this advantage, when continuously investing in new ships from 2014 up to now. The Company’s fleet includes 8 ships, serving both domestic and international routes. At the shareholders’ meeting in 2021, HAH’s Board of Directors shared that they continue to plan to invest in more fleets to increase the number of domestic flights, and maintain and develop 2 import and export cargo trips to Hong Kong and Singapore. . In the first quarter of this year, HAH recorded revenue of 359 billion dong, profit after tax of 85.5 billion dong, up 28.4% and 174% respectively over the same period last year. Gross profit margin increased sharply from 19.2% to 27%. After the first 3 months of the year, HAH has completed up to 54.1% of the year’s profit plan. The business said that profit growth was positive in the first quarter of 2021 due to the fact that sea transport activities have started with positive signs and increased transportation demand from the last 6 months of 2020. Along with the company’s investment in the HA View vessel in August 2020, the output of Hai An fleet increased by more than 50% compared to the same period last year. The increase in fleet volume leads to an increase in the output of port operations and depots. Besides, the increase in freight rates and the decrease in raw material prices also had a positive impact on profits.

With the new yacht, he can cruise around Tampa Bay and spend weekends with his family in the Bahamas. According to the Forbes , the estimated price of this superyacht is about 6 million USD. Previously, Brady also owned a $ 2 million Wajer 55S yacht and brought it to celebrate the Super Bowl championship (NFL final). Wajer 77 is the largest yacht to join the Wajer Yachts fleet, measuring 24 meters in length and designed for customers wishing to make long journeys within 400 nautical miles. . This sport yacht has 4 cabins and can accommodate up to 9 people, with separate entrances for improved privacy. All cabins have a private bathroom, a fully equipped showroom and a coffee bar with stunning sea views. In the outer deck area is a lounge area and sunbeds at the front of the boat, an additional seating area and dining area at the aft. Accessories include a snorkeling canoe, electric surfboard and a Turbojet 325 pod by Williams Jet Tender. It is expected that the rugby superstar will receive this superyacht in July this year.