"Are We Happy That Turkey Will Profit?" Heated Debate Erupts at Poland’s Intermodal Congress

METRANS came under criticism during a panel discussion at Intermodal in Poland 2026, where industry representatives clashed over the future of Małaszewicze, one of Europe’s most important rail freight gateways between Europe and Asia.

The historic castle in the village of Janów Podlaski is hosting the Intermodal in Poland 2026 congress from 10 to 12 June, bringing together leading figures from the transport and technology sectors. Partners of the event include CLIP Group, METRANS, ADAMPOL S.A., and NECTO.

Sanctions and Growing Pressure on Transport

During the panel discussion on "Intermodal Transport Between Europe and Asia," participants focused primarily on the future of rail logistics and the role of the Małaszewicze hub.

Mirosław Smulczyński, CEO of METRANS Małaszewicze, pointed out a number of challenges currently facing the industry. According to him, the sector is under simultaneous geopolitical and economic pressure, significantly affecting terminal operations, particularly in Poland due to its proximity to Belarus.

"Sanctions are beyond our control. Russia, Belarus and China are beyond our control. We can only adapt," said Smulczyński. He added that price volatility and the broader economic environment are creating additional difficulties for the sector.

Rail as a Stable Alternative

At the same time, Smulczyński stressed that geopolitical crises can, in some cases, strengthen the position of rail transport. He pointed to the disruption in the Red Sea region as an example, noting that part of the market had begun seeking alternative transport routes.

In this context, rail has proven to be a stable and reliable option that continues to maintain a strong position in long-term logistics planning.

Daniel Palarz of PKP Cargo shared a similar view, emphasising the need to adapt to global changes and seize opportunities created by crises. "Countries are still looking for rail solutions given the current circumstances," he said.

Competition with Maritime Transport

By contrast, Paweł Pucek of DB Cargo Polska talked about the economic disadvantages of rail freight. "You cannot argue with facts," he remarked when discussing transport costs, adding that rail remains more expensive than competing transport modes.

He also argued that Poland has yet to fully exploit the potential of maritime transport. According to Pucek, the maritime sector is less exposed to geopolitical restrictions because it is not affected by Western sanctions in the same way as rail routes through Eastern Europe.

Małaszewicze: Growing Pressure and a Dispute Over Development

The discussion then turned directly to Małaszewicze, one of the most important rail freight gateways connecting Europe and Asia.

Pucek criticised the development of alternative corridors, including the Turkey–Slovakia route in which METRANS is involved. "Are we happy that Turkey will profit? That it is building additional terminals?" he asked sarcastically.

His comments were followed by Marek Słomka of CARGOTOR, who argued that the main challenge is not competition from alternative corridors but the future of Małaszewicze itself. According to Słomka, further investment and capacity expansion are essential. "I urge you to invest in Małaszewicze – less transit and more customs clearance," he said.

METRANS took a different view. Smulczyński warned that competition between terminals in the region is already increasing while the number of trains remains limited.

According to him, terminal operators are increasingly competing for the same customers in a market that may not be large enough to support continued expansion. "Looking ahead, excess capacity may emerge in Małaszewicze, which could lead to even stronger competition between terminals seeking the same customers," said Smulczyński.

Participants also noted that the sector is carrying significant debt burdens while facing increasing regulatory pressure, including stricter revenue collection measures by tax authorities. These factors, they argued, could further affect the business environment in the region.