The Ukrainian railway operator Ukrzaliznytsia has introduced a ban on the transportation of any goods and the return of empty wagons to the Ukrainian-Polish border crossings Yagodin - Dorokhusk and Izov - Khrubeshuv since November 30, according to the Argus news agency with reference to traders.
These two crossings accounted for almost 35% of direct rail deliveries of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to Poland in January-October this year.
The telegram from Ukrzaliznytsia indicates that the ban is being introduced until canceled. According to market participants, the ban is due to the lack of locomotive traction in the country and the need to urgently export from the Black Sea ports imported thermal coal, supplies of which from Russia have been suspended since November 1, as well as the transportation of grain to ports for subsequent export.
The press service of "Ukrzaliznytsia" reported that temporary restrictions on the transportation of transit goods through the territory of Ukraine were introduced in connection with the active work to modernize the infrastructure.
“In particular, the work on the electrification of the Kovel-Izov-State Border section and repair and track works on the modernization of the Znamenka-Zdolbunov section are underway. In this regard, the throughput in the direction of Poland has decreased to 350 wagons per day, ”the operator said in a statement.
The indicated volumes are not enough to ensure transportation within the stipulated time frame. Therefore, it was decided to temporarily introduce a convention banning transit rail traffic through the territory of Ukraine.
“Upon completion of the infrastructure works, the transportation will be updated and the clients will be informed. Passenger rail transportation between the countries will remain unchanged, ”the company stressed.
According to Ukrainian forwarders, in 10 months, LPG transit from Russia amounted to 254.7 thousand tons, of which 247 thousand tons were shipped for Novatek from Tobolsk station for its subsidiary in Poland, Novatek Green Energy.
