Test Intermodal Route from Kyiv to Budapest

Ukrainian Railways (Ukrzaliznytsia), the Austrian company Rail Cargo Austria, and the German wagon operator VTG have successfully conducted a test intermodal journey as part of their collaboration, as reported by the railway portal Railway Supply.

This initiative is established under a memorandum signed between Ukrzaliznytsia and RCA in September 2023, focusing on transporting semi-trailers.

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“With this journey, we have commenced the implementation of an intermodal transportation project between Ukraine and European countries. Our future plans include jointly developing this route to Vienna, as recently agreed,” stated Timofiy Murakhovskiy, Director of Commercial Affairs and Logistics at Ukrzaliznytsia.

A pilot containerized shipment of loaded automotive semi-trailers was carried out from Kyiv-Leski station to Budapest. Loading and all necessary operations were performed at the Kyiv and Chop container terminals of the “Leski” Center for Transport Services, a branch of Ukrzaliznytsia.

The transportation was conducted using Ukrzaliznytsia’s container platforms, with reloading at the Chop station onto a European-standard container platform (1435 mm gauge) provided by the German operator VTG.

After reloading, the rolling stock was provided by Rail Cargo Austria.

“The container technology will expand the railway’s customer base and shift cargo from road transport to rail,” added Timofiy Murakhovskiy.

The parties are also addressing all matters related to the swift customs clearance of import-export operations for intermodal transport.

Furthermore, in collaboration with the Lithuanian Railways (LTG), a test journey along the Kaunas-Kyiv-Kaunas route is planned for next week.

As previously announced, Rail Cargo has unveiled an intermodal service between Kyiv and Vienna.

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