The Serbian rail freight operator Srbija Kargo, together with Hungarian and North Macedonian counterparts, has signed a memorandum of understanding on a “synchronised rail transport service”. In particular, the three parties focus on the Budapest-Belgrade railway to boost rail freight from China and within Europe.
Srbija Kargo, Rail Cargo Hungaria and Železnice Republike Severne Makedonije Transport hope to achieve “dynamic growth of trade between Europe and the wider region”. The Budapest-Belgrade railway takes centre stage in this plan. Since its opening for freight traffic in late February, the railway is a key artery for goods travelling on the north-south axis across the Balkans.
The plan envisages that rail freight transport among the signatory nations will meet and possibly exceed the volume recorded during the first decade of the 21st century, although the companies do not specify within which timeframe this should happen.
“The cooperation covers two key directions: the transport of goods between China and Europe via existing rail corridors, as well as the transport of goods arriving in or departing from European ports, between terminals on the European continent, supplemented by road transport”, writes Srbija Kargo. Much Chinese freight enters the Greek port of Piraeus, from where it travels to the European hinterland through North Macedonia and Serbia.
“Transport organised in this way brings numerous advantages – faster delivery, shorter transit times, greater cost-effectiveness, reliability in accordance with the timetable, more efficient logistics processes and lower environmental impact”, Srbija Kargo continues.
Key goals of cooperation
Rail freight operations on the cross-Balkan route should improve through the “integration of rail transport relations”, the simplification of logistics chains, common digital solutions, and enhanced cross-border cooperation, the involved companies state.
Moreover, the MoU identifies various areas for future cooperation. These include the development of intermodal transport (semi-trailers, containers), interoperability, knowledge transfers, simplified customs procedures and a digital data exchange. It also mentions coordinated rail infrastructure development, joint marketing efforts, and personnel training as potential areas for collaboration.