Třinecký zelezárny reduced the acceptance of Ukrainian iron ore by rail in June

In June 2024, the Czech steelmaker Třinecké Železárny reduced the intake of Ukrainian iron ore by rail amid repairs to the company’s car tippers. This was discussed during an online meeting between representatives of Ukrainian Railways (UZ) and Slovak carriers, Rail.Insider reports.

The decrease in iron ore consumption by the Czech steel mill has negatively affected the volume of iron ore wagons transferred through the Ukrainian-Slovak border crossing Chop-Cierna over Tisou. In June, this figure fell by 21 cars per day, or 11.6%, compared to May.

At the same time, the transfer of iron ore wagons through the Uzhhorod-Matevtsi crossing amounted to 186.4 wagons per day. This is an increase of 42.8 railcars per day compared to May. In total, 195 railcars (+27.8% m./m.) crossed the junction daily.

In January-June 2024, Ukrainian Railways transported 22.9 million tons of iron ore. Overall, in the first half of the year, UZ transported more than 90 million tons of cargo. This is 28% more than in the same period in 2023.

As GMK Center reported earlier, Ukrainian Railways transported 148.4 million tons of cargo in 2023, down 1.5%, or 2.2 million tons, compared to 2022. Iron ore transportation decreased by 13.2% y/y – to 27.5 million tons, ferrous metals – by 10.6% y/y, to 8.2 million tons, and grain by 5.9% y/y – to 30.6 million tons.