The management of ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih took part in a round table with representatives of large shippers, which was held on December 10 by Ukrzaliznytsia (UZ). This meeting was dedicated to improving the interaction of the national carrier with customers. During the round table, the financial plan of Ukrzaliznytsia for 2021 was presented, which was supported by the business community.
Vladimir Tkachenko, director of the representative office of ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih in Kiev, Administration for Legal Issues, Interaction with Government Bodies and Communications:
- We appreciate the efforts of the Ukrzaliznytsia team to establish a constructive dialogue with customers and build an effective business model that will satisfy the interests of all parties to the transportation process. The financial plan for 2021 presented by Ukrzaliznytsia takes into account the priority needs of the freight market. For our company, the largest exporter in the country, it is very important that the new financial plan of UZ does not provide for an increase in tariffs for rail freight transportation. We also support the position of the national carrier on the need to abolish the payment of the land tax under railways and the excise tax on fuel, which is now directed to the construction of highways, and not to the development of railway infrastructure. We consider this to be necessary legislative changes, which, together with rather ambitious plans to modernize and renew Ukrzaliznytsia's rolling stock and infrastructure, will have a positive effect on the volume of cargo and general business activity.
Diana Medved, Logistics Director, ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih:
- "ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih" is one of the largest shippers of the railway, annually we transport about 5.7 million tons of metal products. At the same time, the railway infrastructure of the company contains several hundred kilometers of railway tracks, one of the largest locomotive facilities in Ukraine and its own fleet of gondola cars. We are well aware of all the challenges and difficulties that Ukrzaliznytsia faces, especially in this time of crisis and against the background of the need for modernization. We support the updated business strategy of Ukrzaliznytsia, which provides for eliminating the traction deficit, increasing the capacity of railway stations, improving the quality of wagons and electrifying infrastructure sections to improve transportation efficiency. In particular, we welcome UZ's specific plans for the electrification of the railway track from Dolinskaya to Nikolaev - this is an important direction for our cargo traffic. The stable operation of Ukrzaliznytsia and the quality of transportation remain the key factors in the success of the largest Ukrainian shippers.
