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Tri-nation Collaboration Advances Rail Connectivity: Ukrzaliznytsia, RCA, and VTG Test Intermodal Route with Success

Tri-nation Collaboration Advances Rail Connectivity: Ukrzaliznytsia, RCA, and VTG Test Intermodal Route with Success
photo: RAILTARGET Archive/Tri-nation Collaboration Advances Rail Connectivity: Ukrzaliznytsia, RCA, and VTG Test Intermodal Route with Success
16 / 10 / 2023

Ukrainian Railways, Austria's Rail Cargo Austria, and Germany's VTG wagon operator have successfully trialed an intermodal semi-trailer transportation route between Kyiv and Budapest. This follows the memorandum signed between Ukrainian Railways and RCA in September 2023.

"With this journey, we have kickstarted the intermodal transportation project between Ukraine and European countries. Our vision is to collaboratively extend this route to Vienna, as recently agreed upon," remarked Tymofiy Murakhovskyi, the Director of Commercial Work and Logistics at Ukrainian Railways.

This trial involved transporting loaded car semi-trailers from the Kyiv-Lisky station to Budapest. All loading and essential operations were managed at the Kyiv and Chopsky container terminals, part of the "Lisky" Transport Service Center Branch of Ukrainian Railways. The transportation utilized counter-trailer platforms from JSC "Ukrzaliznytsia", with transshipment at the Chop station to Eurogauge standard (1435 mm) counter-trailer platforms, provided by the German operator, VTG. Subsequent to this transshipment, Rail Cargo Austria furnished the rolling stock.

Tymofiy Murakhovskyi further emphasized, "Contrarail technology will diversify our clientele, encouraging a transition from road to rail transport."

The collaborating entities are presently addressing all matters concerning expedited customs clearance for the import-export activities of intermodal transport.

Moreover, in partnership with Lithuanian Railways (LTG), a test transportation journey on the Kaunas — Kyiv — Kaunas route is slated for next week.

To recap, on September 14, 2023, Ukrainian Railways and Rail Cargo Austria sealed a memorandum, committing to co-develop intermodal railway connections between Ukraine and Austria. As per this memorandum, Ukrainian Railways will oversee traction rolling stock, broad-gauge intermodal wagons, terminal services, and customs formalities within Ukraine. Conversely, the Rail Cargo Group, which encompasses Rail Cargo Austria, will manage these aspects within the EU.

Source: Ukrainian Railways

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