The international transport Group PKP CARGO INTERNATIONAL (formerly AWT), which is part of PKP CARGO Group, a leading logistics operator in Europe, has long promoted the European Union’s goal of optimizing the performance of multimodal logistics chains, including the greater use of more energy-efficient modes of transport that reduce CO2 emissions, namely by transferring goods from road to rail. Right now, in connection with the COVID-19 epidemic and border crossings congested with trucks as a result of it, the carrier sees a huge opportunity for this change.
The EU’s long-term goal is to move the transport of freight from roads to railways in particular. An EU White Paper states that by 2030, 30% of road freight exceeding 300 km should be shifted to other modes of transport, such as rail or shipping, and more than 50% by 2050. Efficient and green freight corridors should help here. Achieving this goal will also require building the appropriate infrastructure.
In the context of the COVID-19 epidemic in Europe, companies that need to transport their goods quickly and efficiently have problems with doing it by road because of the strict border measures in place. This is where the company sees a great opportunity for rail transport, which has been virtually unrestricted despite the epidemiological situation in Europe. The reduced volume of passengers travelling by rail means more room to move cargo during the day, which is often faster than by truck.
“Thanks to the responsible and professional approach of our employees to all the measures of the government and the group’s Crisis Staff, we have been providing our services, fully and with no restrictions, since the outbreak. Right now, our wide portfolio of logistics services is available to our current and potential customers so that their goods don’t have to wait long at congested borders. This is where rail freight works smoothly,” says Maciej Walczyk, Chairman of the Board of PKP CARGO INTERNATIONAL.
The PKP CARGO INTERNATIONAL Group has been a pioneer in multimodal transport in the Czech Republic and continues to see a future in this direction that fulfills the European Union’s long-term goals for freight transport and for reducing CO2 emissions. The development of promising intermodal transport is an important part of the PKP CARGO Group’s Strategy until 2023. The Group has an ambitious goal to become the number one carrier in this segment in the Three Seas region (Baltic-Adriatic-Black Sea) and along New Silk Road routes.
“We have years of experience with combined transport, and new acquisitions allow us to transport goods in Europe from north to south and back, quickly and efficiently thanks to our comprehensive services. We have already undertaken many successful projects with the largest road carriers in Europe, and we are ready to provide our services to other carriers, to help them in these difficult times with freight transport, and to work together to fulfill the long-term strategy of the European Union,” adds Maciej Walczyk.
Lukáš Kresač
Spokesperson
PKP CARGO INTERNATIONAL Group
