First exit from Kyiv
Five months after the plans were first presented in Munich a test train from Kyiv arrived in Budapest, run by the ÖBB Rail Cargo Group. One of the project’s special features is that non-craneable semi-trailers can also be transported.
The ‘Transfer Vienna–Kyiv’ service was first presented at the Transport Logistic trade fair in Munich (Germany) in May this year. Now the first test train on the route has already laid strong foundation for success and further runs in this corridor. The ÖBB Rail Cargo Group (RCG) cooperated with state-owned Ukrzaliznytsia (UZ, Ukrainian Railways) to connect Ukraine to RCG’s ‘Transnet’ intermodal network. Late in September the test train ran from Kyiv to RCG’s Bilk terminal in Hungary, also carrying non-craneable semi-trailers with building materials.
Until now, the latter have been transported exclusively by truck on this route, as is usually the case in the industry. The premiere on the tracks for this route is therefore not only a plus for the environment, but also relieves the rather difficult situation regarding the shortage of truck drivers in Ukraine. The entire project is possible thanks to ‘Road-Rail-Link’ technology (R2L). This handling and transport technology was developed by the wagon rental firm VTG (see also page 39 of ITJ 19-20 / 2021). It makes the loading of non-craneable semi-trailers of any kind economically feasible.
Contributing to the security of supply
The connection between Kyiv and Vienna, which stops over in Budapest, will be the first regular, high-frequency intermodal connection between Ukraine and hubs in Central Europe.
Freight links between Ukraine and the EU are also flowing well, independently of intermodal options. RCG transports around 150,000 t of Ukrainian grain to the EU every month, contributing to the security of supply.