Ukrainian Railways introduced a convention for iron ore transportation for the Czech Liberty Ostrava

Ukrainian Railways (UZ) introduced a convention for the transportation of iron ore for the Czech steel plant Liberty Ostrava. This is evidenced by data on the website of the railway operator.

The restriction will apply to transports via Chop to the station Ostrava-Bartovice (Czech Republic) in the direction of Liberty Ostrava.

The convention enters into force on October 14, 2023, and will be valid until canceled. It applies, in particular, to the transportation of iron and sinter ore, iron ore concentrate and pellets.

The Czech Republic accounts for more than 22% of the Ukrainian export of Iiron ore in January-September 2023. In total, over 9 months, Ukrainian steelmakers exported 12.6 million tons of iron ore, which is 40.8% less than in the same period last year. In September, exports amounted to 1.44 million tons, which is 6% less month-on-month and 5.9% more year-on-year.

UZ for September increased export transportation of iron ore by 5.8% compared to the previous month and by 51% y/y – up to 1.45 million tons. In January-September, 12.95 million tons of ferrous metals were transported for export by rail, which is 34% less than in the same period of 2022.

In January-July the Czech Republic imported from Ukraine 2.4 million tons of iron ore, which is 13.5% less y/y. In July, 266.3 thousand tons of ferrous metals were shipped from Ukraine to the Czech Republic (-11.8% m/m; -22.1% y/y). The main consumers of Ukrainian ore in the Czech Republic are Liberty Ostrava and Třinecké železárny.