The PKP Group and the Swedish freight carrier Green Cargo AB are in talks to launch a rail-ferry link between Poland and Sweden. This initiative could give a significant boost to the development of intermodal transport on the north-south route across the Baltic Sea. Recognising the potential of this project, the PKP Group initiated a meeting with the Swedish carrier.
The talks were attended by Alan Beroud, Chairman of the Management Board of PKP S.A., Monika Starecka, Acting Member of the Management Board for Finance of PKP CARGO S.A. under restructuring, and Łukasz Grzesło, Chairman of the Management Board of PKP CARGO International a.s. Present on behalf of Green Cargo AB were Henrik Dahlin, CEO, and Shad Hallam, COO.
The topic of discussion was the possibility of launching intermodal connections between Poland and Sweden. In the first instance, the model of transporting containerised goods by sea through the ports of the Threecity will be examined. In the longer term, it is planned to launch ferry connections using ships adapted to carry entire rail wagons without the need for reloading.
Rail-ferry transport is a very promising market segment, enabling significant time savings in international freight transport. The PKP Group will actively support PKP CARGO in relaunching regular services between Poland and Sweden, which will contribute to the development of both parties. The new route will open up a promising corridor connecting Scandinavia with Poland and the Mediterranean basin
Alan Beroud
Chairman of the Board of PKP S.A. and President of the International Union of Railways (UIC)
Connections between Poland and Sweden can be realised through container terminals in Świnoujście and Gdynia. The launch of such a connection will benefit the customers of both companies throughout Europe, giving them access to additional terminals and a wide network of rail connections. We intend to involve all interested parties in the implementation of this project.
Monika Starecka
Acting Member of the Management Board for Finance of PKP CARGO S.A. in restructuring
Thanks to ferry connections, companies from Poland, the Czech Republic and other Central and Southern European countries will gain new logistical opportunities. With the use of modern multi-system locomotives, PKP CARGO International is able to carry out transports to over a dozen European countries, including as far as the Adriatic Sea without changing locomotives.
PKP CARGO International has the resources and competence to carry out even the most demanding orders. Our plans for the development of intermodal connections are ambitious, so we invite all interested parties to cooperate.
Łukasz Grzesło
Chairman of the Board of PKP CARGO International a.s.
The project of re-establishing rail-ferry connections between Poland and Sweden will not only be an important business venture, but will also fit in with the European strategy for sustainable development, as well as the policy of sustainable development pursued by Green Cargo and PKP CARGO.
The meeting was also an opportunity to exchange experiences related to the railway market in Europe, Sweden and Poland. Alan Beroud, in his capacity as President of the International Union of Railways UIC, touched upon key topics relating to the development of rail transport in Europe and discussed the specifics of rail transport operations in Sweden.
Source: Press Release of PKP CARGO
