Instead of ports: there are twice as many grain wagons in Ukraine than in the EU

Ukraine bets on rail export of grain. The possibility of new railway routes to Polish and German seaports is being considered.

In order for the export of Ukrainian grain by rail to become the main one, a sufficient number of rolling stock in European countries is necessary. This issue was discussed during the meeting of the ministers of agriculture of EU member states, Moldova, Georgia and Ukraine, reports the government portal of our country.

The Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine Mykola Solskyi listed the necessary initiatives needed to implement this plan.

First of all, there is a need for terminal complexes with grain conveyors on the border with EU countries, with the help of which Ukrainian grain will be transported without interruption. The need for such infrastructure is due to the difference between Ukrainian and European tracks. Each such terminal will be able to export up to 2 million tons of grain per year.

“A significant problem is the insufficient number of railway rolling stock in the EU countries that can transport grain, as well as the corresponding trucks. There are 22,400 grain wagons operating in Ukraine, and approximately 12,000 in all EU countries. An increase in the number of such wagons by 3,640 units and trucks by 6,000 units will make it possible to additionally transport up to 10 million tons of grain per year,” said Mykola Solskyi.

In addition, it is necessary to allocate railway routes for the passage of Ukrainian grain wagons with bogies changed to the standard of European tracks to the Polish port of Gdansk and the German ports of Rostock and Hamburg.

Currently, the Ukrainian minister has appealed to his European colleagues to assist in the implementation of new export routes.