The Czech state railway freight carrier ČD Cargo transported the first corn train from Ukraine to the German port of Brake. From there, the shipment will head to Egypt. Ukraine cannot export grain by sea due to the Russian invasion. According to the UN, this threatens food shortages in poor countries.
According to The Kyiv Independent, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said last week that Russia was blocking 22 million tons of grain in Ukrainian ports. Ukraine is one of the main exporters of cereals and agricultural crops.
Representatives of ČD Cargo are intensively negotiating with the Ukrainian side on various transport alternatives. Various routes and routes are being addressed. The advantage for ČD Cargo is that it has a license to operate in all neighboring countries. “We take it as a help and a business opportunity at the same time,” Tóth added. ČD Cargo has previously been involved in the supply of humanitarian aid and military equipment to Ukraine.
According to the server, the first train carried about 1,800 tons of corn, which was loaded into normal gauge cars at the transhipment depot in Dobrá near Čierná nad Tisou. According to the server, the transfer took place in cooperation with other partners. The transport of goods by rail in Europe faces several challenges. One is the different track gauges, the problem is also the limited capacity of the lines at the borders, for example between the cities of Děčín and Dresden.
Source: Zdopravy.cz and CTK
