{"id":177229,"date":"2025-02-18T18:10:35","date_gmt":"2025-02-18T08:10:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.railfreight.com\/?p=59803"},"modified":"2025-02-18T18:10:35","modified_gmt":"2025-02-18T08:10:35","slug":"improvement-of-ukraine-eu-rail-infrastructure-could-facilitate-large-modal-shift","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=177229","title":{"rendered":"\u2018Improvement of Ukraine \u2013 EU rail infrastructure could facilitate large modal shift\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

As Ukraine is looking to strengthen its connectivity with the European Union, plans are being drawn up for standard gauge rail connections from Lviv to the EU borders. These routes could help make the so-called \u2018Green Corridor\u2019 a reality. Ukrainian expert and Lemberger Linien CEO Boris Ganaylyuk tells RailFreight.com about the lines\u2019 potential and obstacles.<\/strong>
\n<\/span>This article is the second out of a series of three about rail infrastructure in western Ukraine. The first article<\/a> covered the envisioned new \u2018Green Corridor\u2019 for China – Europe traffic. The last article will cover sorting hubs, stations and transfer hubs between gauges.<\/em><\/p>\n

\nThe Green Corridor:<\/strong><\/p>\n

– A proposed alternative to the Northern and Middle Corridor for China – Europe traffic
\n– The corridor would run via Russia into Ukraine, with Lviv as the envisioned central international hub for sorting and gauge switches
\n– The corridor is far from being a reality, but Lemberger Linien CEO and project promoter Boris Ganaylyuk has detailed plans for its development\n<\/div>\n

Western Ukaine\u2019s regional capital, Lviv, was historically a centre for rail freight traffic. Its role is now diminished compared to the old days, but the city is still the go-to hub for rail traffic between the EU and Ukraine.<\/p>\n

Boris Ganaylyuk sees potential for a return to glory of Lviv\u2019s rail infrastructure. \u201cThe military aggression of 2022 proved that all proposals for the reconstruction of the node are relevant: the node played a key role in the evacuation of civilians and ensuring cargo safety, especially during the blockade of ports.\u201d<\/p>\n

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The Lviv rail station. Image: Shutterstock. \u00a9 Ruslan Lytvyn<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Maximum efforts ongoing, but much to be gained<\/h2>\n

\u201cThe importance of the node has become generally obvious\u201d, the Ukrainian expert adds. \u201cThe authorities of the city of Lviv and Ukrainian Railways, the Ministry of Infrastructure and the authorised bodies of the EU and the USA are making maximum efforts to develop it. In particular, by implementing the Solidarity Corridors program.\u201d<\/p>\n

But, argues Ganaylyuk, there is still much to be gained as of 2025. If the region\u2019s rail infrastructure gets properly developed and the right political decisions are made, many millions of tonnes of freight could undergo a modal shift from the road to rail between the EU and Ukraine.<\/p>\n

Europe benefits<\/h2>\n

That would benefit not only Ukraine, but also the EU in attaining Green Deal sustainability and modal shift goals, as well as boosting competitiveness, the Lemberger Linien CEO says. \u201cThat is why participation in the preparation and implementation of the development of the Lviv railway node as a TEN-T<\/a> node should not be viewed from the perspective of charity and assistance to the victim of aggression.\u201d<\/p>\n

The plans to connect Lviv to the TEN-T network exist, but nothing is being built yet, with the exception of a short railway between Uzhhorod and Chop: two Ukrainian cities close to the intersection point of the Ukrainian, Slovak and Hungarian borders.<\/p>\n

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The planned TEN-T network with connections to Lviv. Image: Wikimedia Commons. \u00a9 DG Mobility and Transport, European Commission<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Directional flexibility<\/h2>\n

It is an interesting place for the development of rail infrastructure. From Chop, trains can go towards both Slovakia and Hungary and continue into various European directions. It is one of the major benefits of developing Lviv and western Ukraine\u2019s rail infrastructure: it offers much more directional flexibility for China – Europe traffic than Brest in Belarus, Ganaylyuk explains.<\/p>\n

China – Europe traffic is thus a major freight flow that could benefit from the development of these western Ukrainian railways, as part of the Green Corridor. However, says Ganaylyuk, there is more to be gained than just that. Ukraine itself is a sizable freight base. No less than 90 per cent of that is being transported via sea, of which a third goes to Europe.<\/p>\n