New trends in Ukrainian container transportation

Today, experts estimate the market of container shipments of goods in Ukraine at 8 million tons per year. Of these, 6 million accounted for road transport, and the remaining 2 – for rail service. Also about 10 million tons of containerized cargo a year are transported by trucks in the EU-Ukraine directions. In addition, 7.8 million tons – container turnover of southern ports in 2016 (of which only 0.5 million – transit to the western border). In total, we have a base of almost 26 million tons of annual cargo traffic, but these figures clearly do not correspond to the ambitions of the MIB and the capabilities of the Ukrainian transport network.

The goal of the current Transport Strategy of Ukraine is to increase the volume and expand the range of containerized cargoes. Of course, what the result is planned to achieve and how to achieve it, the document naturally does not say anything. But to argue with the fact that Ukraine has a powerful potential for the development of container transportation is also pointless. Let’s figure out the trends, starting from the realities.

Large redistribution of cargo flow

Without upgrading the infrastructure and attracting foreign companies, it is impossible even to talk about attempts to achieve the ambitious goal of the Transport Strategy. Fortunately, MIU started active work on the base for the transfer of seaports into concession. Also, talk about the arrival in Ukraine of large foreign companies Hutchison ports and DP World has not ceased. If they can be interested, a powerful push is expected for the development of sea container terminals. Hence, with one of the components of the chain of transport all more or less clear – there is hope for a significant increase in transit.

True, the development of the port infrastructure does not guarantee transit cargo traffic without a transparent and cheap scheme for the delivery of containers to the western borders of Ukraine. Today, mainly used container trucks. Their main advantages: mobility, simple calculation of the tariff and convenience of small-party delivery. But “Ukrzaliznytsia” is able to “take the bread” from motor transport. Railway workers should use the main trump card – a low price for transportation.

If the company makes an effort in the struggle for the client, the transit route from the southern ports of Ukraine to the EU will go. Do not forget that three railway freight corridors are adjacent to the western borders of the country, and the problem of different gauge widths is easily solved with the help of container terminals. According to experts, the capacity of the main transshipment points should be sufficient.