Ukrainian Railways (UZ) is reportedly in the process of creating a freight transport company that will operate in Europe. According to UZ CEO Oleksandr Kamyshin, the company is likely to be established by the end of 2023.
The move comes as a result of the difficulties that Ukrainian freight carriers face when working with their European counterparts. Kamyshin explained that Ukrainian carriers struggle to use European freight transportation and that creating a separate company for freight transportation outside of Ukraine is necessary.
Kamyshin confirmed that UZ will be looking to develop a European carrier for both passenger and freight transportation. He also highlighted the success of the company in the past and the appreciation shown by Ukrainian citizens who have used European railways.
Creating the freight transport company will require more than just purchasing rolling stock. UZ will also need to obtain a license, register the company, and build a team. Kamyshin is hopeful that the new company can be established by the end of the year, but he acknowledges that negotiations in Europe are not as fast as they would like.
It was previously reported that UZ had purchased 40 European rail tankers for a project to supply diesel fuel to Ukraine. Additionally, the company plans to purchase 100 fitting platforms.
Overall, the creation of a separate freight transport company will provide UZ with greater control over its operations in Europe. This move is expected to help improve the efficiency and effectiveness of Ukrainian freight carriers in the region.
