Ukrzaliznytsia transported more than 800,000 tons of grain for export in May
In May 2022, Ukraine increased the export of grain cargo by rail by 20.4% compared to April - up to 807 thousand tons, reaching the limit of exports for existing railway infrastructure. This was announced by the chairman of the board of Ukrzaliznytsia Oleksandr Kamyshin, Interfax-Ukraine reports.
The figure of 800,000 tons of grain per month is the limit for railway logistics tracks from Ukraine, and it can be significantly increased only with the active assistance of neighboring countries, said the head of Ukrzaliznytsia.
In order for us to be able to export an additional 300-400 thousand tons, we need to think in terms of "through" infrastructure and. We are negotiating with the Poles to allow the operation of grain trucks on their territory. Then we will need to open our operator there and at the same time, wherever possible, plant branches with a narrow gauge on our territory, ”Kamyshin explained.
He reminded that before the Russian invasion, Ukraine exported 5-7 million tons of grain a month, half of which Ukrzaliznytsia delivered to Ukrainian seaports. At the same time, “in November 2021, the company reached a historic maximum of grain cargo transportation of 4.1 million tons.
Now we need to expand transshipment in European ports and additional cars that will deliver Ukrainian grain from the Polish border. About 20 million tons of old harvest are stored in warehouses of Ukraine. Therefore, we have to export 5 million tons per month by all modes of transport. We practically export about 1.2 million tons. Working effectively, you can reach 2 million tons of grain. This is the maximum without significant infrastructure development, ”Kamyshin explained.