Ukrzaliznytsia was not ready to 200% grain-carrying capacity increase — Gorbachev

Over the past 2 years, the increase in grain transportation by rail amounts to more than 200%. Neither the state nor Ukrzaliznytsia was ready for this increase.

This was stated by Nikolai Gorbachev, the President of the Ukrainian Grain Association, writes Elevatorist.com.

"The state, which was supposed to contribute to the development of positive dynamics in the grain market in increasing yields and exports, acted in the opposite way. Without providing any alternative for the delivery of grain to the port, a ban on the movement of road transport with overloads was introduced. Although traditionally the ratio of the delivery of grain from the regions to the port was in favor of road transport. We can say that Ukrzaliznytsia functions poorly, that there is wrong management. Think about it — the increase is not 2%, but more than 200%. Of course, they are not able to cope with it," says Nikolai Gorbachev.

According to him, Ukrzaliznytsia employs 250 thousand workers. Regional railways have different approaches to work and their own clan system, which prevents the central apparatus from effective coordination of all transport operations.

"Ukrzaliznytsia has more wagons than last year. The export rate decreased, compared to last year. It would seem that the situation should be better. But if last year in November about 1.7-1.8 thousand wagons were loaded each day, this year this number makes up 1-1.2 thousand. This reduction by 50-60% was triggered by several factors, including sabotage, and lack of locomotive traction. There are situations when trains loaded with grain simply wait. Of course, this is a significant problem," the UGA president informs.

Earlier it was reported that since October 31, the order to increase the freight tariffs of Ukrzaliznytsia by 15% came into force.