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DB Cargo Discontinues Free Transport of Humanitarian Goods to Ukraine

DB Cargo Discontinues Free Transport of Humanitarian Goods to Ukraine
photo: Volker Crone / DER SPIEGEL/DB Cargo Discontinues Free Transport of Humanitarian Goods to Ukraine
14 / 03 / 2023

DB Cargo has stopped delivering humanitarian goods to Ukraine free of charge a year after the start of Russia's full-scale invasion.

According to the German newspaper Spiegel, DB Cargo stopped providing free transport to Ukraine on 1 January. As a result, companies that want to send aid to Ukraine will have to pay for the transport in full, which is up to €6,000 per container. The reason was a long-standing dispute between DB Cargo and the German Ministry of Transport, headed by Volker Wissing, over the financing of transport.

According to the report, the Deutsche Bahn subsidiary has applied for state support several times, as a joint-stock company can receive third-party funding to a limited extent. In particular, in 2022 alone, DB Cargo spent about €5 million on the transport of humanitarian aid.

It is noted that the German Ministry of Transport, in response to a request from Spiegel, said that no decision had been reached between the ministry and the carrier.

"The Rail Bridge was an initiative of DB Cargo. The federal government very much welcomes this initiative. Discussions are ongoing within the federal government as to what form and to what extent support for the railway bridge will be provided in the future," the German Ministry of Transport commented.

The Deutsche Bahn initiative was launched in March last year.

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