A train carrying the Spanish-based Renfe Mercancías company’s containers loaded with Ukrainian grain has arrived in Barcelona. The feasibility of this method of transporting Ukrainian grain is currently being discussed because of several difficulties during the loading and transportation of the grain.

The CFTS portal reported this, citing the Rail Insider publication.

Before reaching Spain, the train traveled 2,400 kilometers from the Chelm terminal on the Polish-Ukrainian border via Łódź and Duisburg. As a result, 600 tons of grain in 25 40-foot containers were delivered to the Can Tunis railway terminal in Barcelona.

According to the publication, the Spanish Ministry of Transport encountered problems on the Ukrainian border and the European railway network. The first problems arose at the terminal in Chelm, where, according to the Spanish authorities, "it was impossible to predict the congestion that made it difficult to load Renfe containers because it caused significant delays."

The train arrived in Chelm in the first week of September but the loading process began after 15 September. In addition, there were issues related to the compatibility of infrastructure and equipment. It turned out that the grain cargo did not arrive in Poland from Ukraine by rail. Instead, it was transported by trucks. The grain then had to be reloaded into containers. "It was a very time-consuming process that took place with the help of cranes."

In addition, the train was delayed for several days on the way because of a strike on the French railways.

Ultimately, the train service was successful despite the unforeseen or underestimated obstacles. However, the Spanish Ministry of Transport concluded that this pilot train service does not inspire much optimism. On the contrary, "it highlighted the struggle faced by the many companies that are helping to facilitate Ukrainian exports and the lack of central coordination in Europe, even for projects of such importance," it said

"The initiative showed that, in the current context, long-distance transportation by rail requires great efforts to coordinate between the various participants in the process," the Spanish Ministry of Transport concluded.

Instead, the route can be used as an alternative when the traditional supply chains are disrupted because of the closure of ports or shipping lanes.