{"id":55633,"date":"2024-05-29T19:07:02","date_gmt":"2024-05-29T09:07:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.railfreight.com\/?p=52926"},"modified":"2024-05-29T19:07:02","modified_gmt":"2024-05-29T09:07:02","slug":"pkp-cargo-eyes-untapped-semi-trailer-market-for-business-revival","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=55633","title":{"rendered":"PKP Cargo eyes \u201cuntapped\u201d semi-trailer market for business revival"},"content":{"rendered":"

Polish state-owned rail freight operator PKP Cargo is looking for ways out of its dire financial situation. The company\u2019s new management took the drastic step of suspending nearly a third of its workforce to save money. Now, its strategy director says that the company is looking to semi-trailer transportation for new business opportunities.<\/strong>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

PKP Cargo is looking for ways to renew its business success. The Polish rail freight operator may find such success in semi-trailer transportation, which the company’s strategy director, Tomasz Mostowski, calls \u201can untapped market\u201d. It could boost the business of the company, which is in dire need of a change in course amid financial problems.<\/p>\n

News surrounding PKP Cargo\u2019s troubles exploded when the company\u2019s new management took office. Even the new leadership was taken by surprise<\/a> and decided to assign inactive status to nearly a third of the workforce<\/a>, meaning that they would not have to work, but also face a 40 per cent pay reduction to reduce expenditures. Reportedly, the company is \u201creally close to bankruptcy\u201d.<\/p>\n

Looking ahead<\/h2>\n

The company now wants to expand into semi-trailer transportation via rail. \u201cWe see a great opportunity in the transport of semi-trailers. This is an untapped market. We are trying to make the Ministry of Infrastructure interested in creating a national trailer transport system. Ultimately, all carriers could use it. It would be based on a principle analogous to the one used in passenger transport, for instance, on ordering transport with national authorities on specific routes\u201d, Mostowski tells Polish publication wpn.pl.<\/p>\n

A focus on semi-trailer transportation would be in line with PKP Cargo\u2019s long-term strategy, which involves the development of intermodal transport. The company opened a new intermodal terminal in Karsznice in December 2023 and is looking for a location for yet another terminal.<\/p>\n

Success on one condition<\/h2>\n

The plan coincides with EU policy, which aims to boost intermodal transport and reduce emissions. The TEN-T regulation requires new intermodal terminals to be built around the continent, facilitating semi-trailer transportation via rail.<\/p>\n

Ultimately, the idea is to have rail transport goods over long distances, and use road for first and last-mile transportation. Mostowski believes Europe can achieve this, and that it could solve another issue simultaneously: \u201cI know that the automotive industry is experiencing a crisis when it comes to the number of active drivers, there are still large shortages. So I think that this is also a way to meet the demands of the industry\u201d, Mostowski says.<\/p>\n

However, PKP Cargo\u2019s business plan rests on the fulfilment of one condition. The new Polish trailer transport system would need to operate with a state agreement similar to the one used in passenger transport. In other words, the state has to subsidise non-commercial routes. Whether or not the Polish government is interested enough to go along with this remains to be seen.<\/p>\n

Also read:<\/strong><\/p>\n