Ukrainian Railways (UZ) transported 22.9 million tons of iron ore in the first six months of 2024, contributing to a total cargo transportation of over 90 million tons during this period. This represents a significant 28% increase compared to the same period in 2023.
The company's export transportation saw particularly impressive growth, rising by nearly 59% year-on-year to reach 45 million tons. Iron ore remained a key component of these exports, alongside grain crops, which saw a 43% increase compared to the previous year.
In addition to iron ore, UZ transported substantial volumes of other commodities in the first half of 2024, including 22.5 million tons of grain cargo, 12.5 million tons of hard coal, and 13.7 million tons of construction materials.
The positive trend in cargo transportation extends beyond exports. Domestic traffic increased by 3% to 40 million tons, while imports grew by 62% to 5 million tons.
Yevhen Liashchenko, Chairman of the Board of JSC Ukrainian Railways, noted the importance of this growth for strengthening the country's economy. However, he also highlighted the challenge posed by increasing volumes of unprofitable cargo transportation, which could impact the company's financial stability.
Despite these challenges, the overall picture for UZ in the first half of 2024 is one of robust growth and recovery, particularly in key sectors such as iron ore and grain exports. This performance suggests a strengthening of Ukraine's export capabilities and economic resilience in the face of ongoing challenges.
