Rail transportation in Poland decreased to 230 million tons in 2023

In 2023, the volume of rail transportation in Poland decreased by 3.2% compared to 2022, to 230 million tons. This is evidenced by data from the Polish Statistical Office (GUS), Parkiet reports.

The total volume of transportation by rail last year amounted to 570.3 million tons, which is 2.2% less than in 2022, and is the lowest result in the last three years. The decline occurred in almost all modes of transportation, except for road transport.

The decline in rail transportation is mainly due to a decrease in the handling of fuel cargo, in particular coal, as well as steel. Local railroad operators expect that 2024 may be a more difficult year for the industry.

«As for rail transport, we can expect a deterioration in performance, especially in April-July due to a decrease in coal transportation. We should not expect a significant increase in freight transportation, the dynamics of which will undoubtedly be shaped by the economic situation in Germany. The situation in Ukraine and Germany will undoubtedly determine what the market will look like in 2024,» comments Andrzej Pawlowski, president of Ciech Cargo.

Poland has been the main destination for exports and imports of products from and to Ukraine since the start of the full-scale Russian invasion. Over the past two years, Polish transport has handled a large amount of Ukrainian cargo, but recent events at the border will significantly hamper transportation in 2024.

According to GUS, in 2022, Polish railways handled 237.6 million tons of cargo, which is 0.1% less than in 2021. 12.4 million tons of cargo were shipped for export, 20.3 million tons of imported cargo were handled, 3 million tons were transited, and 64.3 million tons were handled in domestic traffic. Iron ore and other mining and metals products accounted for the largest share in the total volume of transportation by rail in 2022, accounting for 23.7%. Steel products accounted for another 5.2%.

As GMK Center reported earlier, in January 2024, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal discussed with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk the creation of four new border crossing points between the two countries in addition to the existing fourteen. According to the head of the Ukrainian Cabinet of Ministers, the governments remain committed to developing border infrastructure and logistics.