photo: RAILTARGET/"Current Projects Are Being Realised and Bearing Fruit. What We See Now Is a Large Shift to the Logistic Sector, with Cargo Being Transferred More to the Railway Sector," Says Marko Radovič
The Southeast European rail industry has seen significant changes in the past two years, shifting from large infrastructure projects to a more focused approach to logistics and cargo transportation. In an exclusive interview with Marko Radovič, communication and project manager of RCSEE/BSN at the SEE Mobility 2023, we delved into the topic of railway sector transformations, the impressions from the fair, and the challenges and opportunities in the current railway market.
We did our first interview two years ago at the SEE Mobility 2021 fair. How do you think the rail market has changed since then?
Two years ago, we talked about large infrastructure projects that were happening in this region. And now, those projects are being realized and bearing fruit. What we see now is a large shift to the logistic sector, with cargo being transferred more to the railway sector, which brings the entire industry. It means intermodal transport is improving. There is a whole new market open for rolling stock leasing companies. The railway market in this region is much more open in this region in that direction. As you could see in our presentation at the opening of the conference, there are a lot of projects currently ongoing meant to connect the region within itself but also connect it to a wider European and global transport network. This region is going to become a very interesting hub for railway transport and freight, and it’s going to be marked on the map of Europe. That is mostly the direction the railway sector is moving in.
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You are also one of the organizers of this fair. How did you plan this SEE Mobility 2023 fair after the COVID pandemic period, which was really hard for the railway sector?
This is actually the fourth SEE Mobility fair, so we do have some sort of tradition, and we are recognized by the companies, so they know that they can come here and present their work in this region and network with other potential actors in this region. When we started organizing this event, we created the motto Connectivity for the Future, which we see all visitors and exhibitors that attended have certainly achieved.
This year, we can find some kind of new sponsors like Ermewa or Cargo Wagon. Are you happy that these leaders in the market are finding SEE Mobility a fair they want to sponsor?
Of course. It’s very gratifying because it shows us that very important players see this event as the place to be, as a gateway to the southeast European region, and as a way to approach all the relevant stakeholders in this market and region. It also underlines that freight and transport are becoming very important in this region. There are a lot of opportunities opening in this area.
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What do you expect from the year 2023 for the railway sector?
It’s becoming a very interesting period. As I said, we have large infrastructure projects that aim to connect this region to the wider European and global networks. We can also speak about the introduction of new technologies. We are talking about Digital Automatic Coupling and decarbonization. These important topics become quite relevant, and there will be plenty of opportunities in the market for new technologies that will make railway transport cheaper, more efficient, and safer.
Which other fairs are you planning to visit this year?
We are planning to visit the TRAKO fair. Our members are interested in going to the TRAKO fair as exhibitors, which gives us the view that the railway supply industry has matured and can be a credible partner for European railways and provide solutions that are acceptable and interesting for the European market. It has a strong message for us. It’s very gratifying for us as a cluster, which prides itself on innovation and improvement in the local railway supply industry.
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RAILTARGET will also be a part of the TRAKO fair with our interview studio there. And as for SEE Mobility 2025, can you invite us there?
This fair is the fourth, next fair will be the fifth. Every year, it attracts all the important stakeholders in this region, such as national railways, railway operators, logistic companies, and railway suppliers. If you want to meet the entire railway industry of Southeast Europe in one place, you’re welcome and invited to come to SEE Mobility 2025.