Ukrainian Railways transported 6.1 million tons of iron ore for export in January-February

Transportation of ferrous metals amounted to 856 thousand tons

In January-February 2025, Ukrainian Railways JSC (UZ) reduced iron ore exports by 4.1% compared to the same period in 2023, to 6.06 million tons. This was reported to GMK Center by the press service of the railway operator.

During the year, 3.77 million tons of iron ore were transported to ports, down 2.2% y/y. In the direction of land border crossings, 2.29 million tons of iron ore were sent (-6.9% y/y).

Ferrous metals exports for 2 months increased by 3.3% y/y – to 855.8 thousand tons. In particular, 609 thousand tons (+25.3% y/y) were shipped to ports, and 246.8 thousand tons (-27.9%) to land border crossings.

“The stable operation of the Ukrainian sea corridor provides an opportunity to transport Ukrainian goods by rail to foreign markets through the ports of Greater Odesa. The metallurgical and agricultural sectors retain the status of the mainstay of Ukrainian cargo traffic in export traffic in the current environment,” UZ said.

The total volume of cargo transported by Ukrainian Railways in January-February decreased by 8.4% compared to the same period in 2024 to 26.28 million tons. In particular, export traffic decreased by 13.87 million tons (-9.1% y/y), and import traffic by 1.52 million tons (-15.2%). Domestic transportation decreased by 5.4% y/y – to 10.85 million tons.

In February 2024, export transportation of iron ore amounted to 2.74 million tons (-17.3% m/m, -17.6% y/y), ferrous metals – 383 thousand tons (-19% m/m, -0.8% y/y). The total volume of transportation amounted to 12.28 million tons (-12.3% m/m; -15.6% y/y). Exports amounted to 6.34 million tons, down 15.8% m/m and 18.3% y/y.

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.