Polish national rail freight operator PKP Cargo is still going through financial difficulties. The company entered restructuring in spring of 2024, and expected an upward trend to start in November. Nevertheless, its woes have not yet gone by, although no more layoffs are planned for the time being.
PKP Cargo transports the same amount of goods as before and acquires new contracts, the rail operator says. However, rates are now lower, which explains the continuing difficult financial situation of the company, PKP Cargo Vice President Paweł Miłek clarified.
“The current situation is the result of growing competition on the freight transport market, adapting to it also requires reducing the company’s own costs. Hence, for example, the reduction of employment or the liquidation of some plants. Vice President Miłek also informed that at the moment no further layoffs are planned” PKP Cargo writes.
Regaining market share
The operator’s new president, Agnieszka Wasilewska – Semail, added that the board wants to pay off the company’s liabilities as quickly as possible. “We will focus on regaining the market share we have lost, taking care of profitability and participating effectively in the market competition process”, she said. “
But these key pillars of our activities must be based on people, because only then does the organization have the potential to grow and solve current problems. In businesses that are to be saved, there must be strong cooperation between unions, management and business partners”.
When it comes to the unions, they agreed that there should be negotiations for a new collective labour agreement once the company comes out with a new restructuring plan in April.