The Czech national rail freight operator ČD Cargo has managed to achieve a positive operating result in the first half of 2026. This follows a difficult financial year in 2025, when the operator made a loss of €155 million amid restructuring proceedings.
ČD Cargo moved a total of 27.8 million tonnes of freight during the first six months of the year. That is “significantly higher than the company had planned”, the operator said in a LinkedIn post. Around this time last year (Q3), ČD Cargo had transported approximately the same volume of freight.
The higher volume immediately translates into a better financial position. “Higher transport volumes mean efficient use of ČD Cargo’s capacity, which has been reflected in a positive economic result”, explained Radim Ječný, Chairman of the Board of Directors of ČD Cargo.
Consequently, the ČD Cargo Group reported a pre-tax profit of 385 million Czech crowns (around €16 million) in H1 2026. By comparison, it lost around €155 million in 2025. ČD Cargo adds that “streamlining efforts” and a “proactive business strategy” contributed to its financial performance.
See the graph below for an overview of the company’s financial performance during the past years.
Growth segments
ČD Cargo saw unexpected growth in the solid fuel shipments segment, which is a result of the growing oil prices. The operator also moved more wood, grain and automotive products. Moreover, the intermodal segment expanded. International expansion has helped the company in this regard, and ČD Cargo is preparing to facilitate new freight flows: car batteries, biomass, solid alternative fuels and more.
“The results achieved are positive, but it does not mean that our industry has entered a period of certainty”, added Radim Ječný. “Market developments remain very dynamic and we must be prepared for the next year to bring new challenges. Now is the right time to focus on efficiency, quality of service and the search for new opportunities. These are the areas that will determine how successful we will be in the years to come.”
ČD Cargo earlier embarked on a path of restructuring. It reduced its excess capacity of wagons, locomotives, workforce and other expenses. “The aim of these steps is to adapt the size of ČD Cargo to market conditions and thereby ensure its long-term financial stability,” said Michal Krapinec, former Chairman of the Board of Directors of ČD, in early 2026.