Ukrainian Railways transported 3.32 million tons of iron ore for export in January

In January 2025, Ukrainian Railways (UZ) transported 3.32 million tons of iron and manganese ore for export, up 11.2% compared to December 2024. The figure is up 10.9% year-on-year. This was reported to GMK Center by the press service of the railway operator.

The company transported 2.21 million tons (+24.8% m/m) of iron ore to ports, and 1.11 million tons (-8.6% m/m) through land border crossings.

Ferrous metals transportation for the month amounted to 472.9 thousand tons, which is 1.2% less compared to December 2024, and 7% more y/y. The company transported 350.9 thousand tons (-4.3% m/m) to ports and 122.0 thousand tons (+8.7% m/m) through land crossings.

In January 2025, the total volume of transportation by UZ decreased by 0.2% m/m and 0.9% y/y – to 14.01 million tons. The decrease in freight transportation was in domestic traffic to 5.72 million tons (-4.9% m/m) and in import traffic to 0.74 million tons (-5.8% m/m). Export cargo transportation remained the leader at 7.53 million tons (+4.5% m/m).

“The stable operation of the Ukrainian Sea Corridor provides an opportunity to increase the volume of rail transportation of Ukrainian goods to foreign markets through the ports of Greater Odesa. The steel and agricultural sectors retain the status of the basis of Ukrainian cargo traffic in export traffic in the current conditions,” UZ notes.

Grain cargo transportation in January increased by 5.9% m/m and decreased by 15.1% y/y to 2.86 million tons. The company transported 2.63 million tons to ports, up 8.6% month-on-month, and 232.7 thousand tons (-17.2% month-on-month) through land border crossings.

As GMK Center reported earlier, in 2024, Ukrainian Railways increased iron ore exports by 1.7 times compared to 2023, to 33 million tons. Export transportation of ferrous metals increased by 13.7% y/y – to 5.17 million tons.

In 2024, the total volume of cargo transported by Ukrainian Railways increased by 17.9% compared to 2023, to 174.9 million tons. In particular, export traffic amounted to 84.67 million tons (+51.2% y/y), and import traffic – 9.63 million tons (+40.9%). Domestic transportation decreased by 5.5% y/y – to 80.2 million tons.