ČD Cargo Poland Defies the Crisis and Climbs the Polish Market

While major rail freight companies struggle, ČD Cargo Poland is building a strong position in the Polish market. Despite an industry-wide downturn, this Czech subsidiary is growing against the odds, securing key contracts and climbing the rankings among Poland’s top freight operators.

Rail freight performance is one of the first indicators of economic shifts. The transport of raw materials for energy, industry, and construction is directly linked to these sectors. 2024 was a weak year for all major rail freight companies. DB Cargo, Rail Cargo Group (ÖBB), SBB Cargo, FRET SNCF, and likely ČD Cargo will count the year as a loss. FRET SNCF has ceased operations, with the success of its successors uncertain. DB Cargo and PKP Cargo are in restructuring, and all major companies are laying off workers.

ČD Cargo Poland Climbs the Polish Market

The crisis, however, is not affecting all companies equally. The downturn presents an opportunity for some, particularly smaller firms with a flexible cost structure and an aggressive market approach. One of them is ČD Cargo Poland, a subsidiary of ČD Cargo operating in Poland. Although the Polish market has suffered a sharper decline than other European countries—especially in the transport of traditional energy resources like coal for power plants—ČD Cargo Poland has continued to grow. It has not only resisted unfavorable conditions but also increased its overall market share.

Between 2018 and 2022, its market share in Poland fluctuated between 1.29% and 1.53%. In 2023, it rose to 1.93%, then to 2.07% last year, and by January this year, it reached 2.95%. This growth has pushed ČD Cargo Poland to sixth place among Polish rail freight operators. The Polish Railway Transport Office (UTK) regularly publishes these freight statistics.

ČD Cargo Poland Secures Major Contracts

With freight transport struggling due to a lack of contracts, competition for new tenders is intense. This was especially true for a prestigious contract awarded last May for transporting one million tons of coal from Silesian coal mines to ENEA Elektrownia Połaniec, a Polish power company. This required nine heavy freight trains per week.

Several major freight operators competed for the contract, including PKP Cargo, Poland’s largest freight company, along with Inter Cargo, Freightliner PL, DB Cargo Polska, Rail Polska, and EP Cargo Polska. Despite stiff competition, ČD Cargo Poland secured the deal, marking a major success for its parent company.

"Thanks to the implementation of ČD Cargo's strategy and the support we receive from our parent company, ČD Cargo Poland (a subsidiary of ČD Cargo in Poland) has been developing and strengthening its position on the Polish market for many years. Despite the turbulence on the market, we are building a stable position among the most important carriers in Poland," said Tomasz Momot, Chairman of the Board of ČD Cargo Poland, in a statement for RAILTARGET.

Naše dceřiná společnost CD Cargo Poland zaznamenala v prosinci loňského roku další rekord, když přepravila 541 tis. tun zboží - historické maximum 👍. Ať s daří i v roce 2025. 📷 Daniel Kuczob #cokolivkamkoliv pic.twitter.com/EhnuzxaG9T

— ČD Cargo, a.s. (@CDCargo) February 5, 2025

Technical Requirements of the Tender

The tender also specified technical parameters for the train operations. The total train length, including the locomotive, must not exceed 610 meters. The gross weight of the train must not surpass 3,700 tons. Each wagon length must be up to 15.80 meters, with a maximum wagon weight of 89 tons. Wagon width should range between 3,000–3,104 mm, and the height between 3,220–3,380 mm.

As major freight operators continue to struggle, ČD Cargo Poland has leveraged market shifts to its advantage. With a growing market share, a key contract win, and strong financial backing from ČD Cargo, it is proving that strategic expansion can defy market downturns. How far can ČD Cargo Poland climb in the Polish freight sector?

Source: UTK (Urząd Transportu Kolejowego); RAILTARGET