In the future, the Polish-Ukrainian border with Lviv is to connect a fresh railway line with a European track spacing of 1435 mm. This is an ambitious project, but its implementation is so distant and dependent on many factors that it seems improbable to start investing in the close future. Even the EUR 76 million allocated by the European Union will not importantly accelerate the work.
– We are talking about a position so far distant that it should be considered a symbol category. The symbol of crucial and supporting, but not having a real impact on the current functioning of carriers or our current business activity," comments Marcin Witczak, president of the Management Board of Laude Smart Intermodal.
There is no uncertainty that the harmonisation of track spacing in Ukraine could be an impetus for trade and mobility between countries. As early as 2024, the Center for east Studies indicated that expanding the average track would increase network capacity and transfer the benefits of forwarding operations from Polish border centers to Ukrainian hubs in the Lviv Oblast.
– A real breakthrough can only bring a broad political task including a change of track spacing across Ukraine. This would not only improve logistics, but besides stimulate the production of rolling stock and infrastructure investments,” said Witczak.
– specified initiatives are of political importance, as they let Ukraine to cut off from Russia. However, the country above all needs deep economical reforms: deregulation, privatisation and separation from business. Without this, there will be no development, and projects specified as changing track width will stay only symbolic. Both Ukraine and the European Union must bring the war to an end and link further financial assistance with market-oriented reforms, says the President.
– Until then, any solutions will be hard to implement, and we are seeing legislative changes in Ukraine in the coming months. Regardless, we plan to invest in support of both economies through efficient logistics – he adds.
Currently the company focuses on the maximum usage of its own terminal in Zamość Bortatycz, located on the wide-track railway line LHS. This facility, located close the border with Ukraine, has the capacity to operate 10 container trains per day. It is worth recalling that the key border crossings are Hrubieszów–Izow, Medika–Mościska, Verchrata–Rawa Ruska and Dorohusk–Jahów. crucial points are besides found in the area of Chełm, Zamość, Przemysl-Media and Hrebenny. – They presently have a key function in supplying Ukraine and exporting goods. The reconstruction of the country after the war without these connections will be impossible, so their function should be strengthened and equipped with the appropriate infrastructure – said president Witczak. “Before we start talking about average course lines in Ukraine, let’s focus on what is available here and now, i.e. on organizational improvements at borders,” he adds.
A marketplace full of uncertainty
The situation on the Ukrainian transport marketplace is highly hard today. Low cereal transport volumes and advanced instability are observed. Moods change from optimism to utmost pessimism erstwhile hopes arise for a fast end to war. Laude experts indicate that Ukraine has not been in a hard position since the beginning of the conflict as it is now. The decline in natural materials prices in global markets makes their production little profitable and the cost of transport is crucial. The force to reduce the price of logistics services at advanced energy costs and the acquisition and maintenance of rolling stock results in transport being carried out at minimum or negative margins.
