The possibility of creating a joint venture for operating regular unit trains from the Ukrainian border to specific German ports or logistics hubs is being considered within the framework of the Memorandum of Understanding on long-term assistance and support that was signed between Deutsche Bahn and the Ukrainian Railways joint-stock company (Ukrzaliznytsia).
Volodymyr Shemaev, deputy director of Ukrzaliznytsia’s department of investment operations, stated this in an interview with the CFTS portal.
"The idea of establishing a joint venture is not a new idea. Previously, a similar proposal was made in relation to Polish Railways. Our German counterparts are currently studying this issue from the viewpoint of the potential joint venture’s compliance with antimonopoly legislation and calculating the economics of the issue," he said.
According to Shemaev, such a joint venture would enable the Ukrainian side to plan more precisely, make creating specific routes possible, and minimize downtime at border crossings. It will also provide Ukrzaliznytsia’s foreign partners with millions of tons of additional cargo flows.
"We have proposed a pilot project involving the organization of a unit train from Ukraine to a German port. On our part, we could transfer 120 grain cars with bogies to such a joint venture for operation. At least two locomotives are needed from DB. So far, there is no final decision. A lot will depend on the economic benefit. In addition, we understand that the war carries additional risks for foreign partners," he said.
According to him, there is an agreement to draft a working plan for the period until at least the end of 2023 and set up a joint group for these three areas within the next two months. This will be in addition to the passenger agreement that was signed last year.
"The parties have no financial obligations under the new agreement," Shemaev said.
