Freight News, Rail

Transsiberian rail corridor must be preserved, says operators group

[ March 16, 2022   //   Chris ]

Swiss-headquartered Transsiberian transport group GETO (the Group of European TransEurasia Operators and Forwarders) warns that the Ukraine conflict could have a negative impact on the Eurasian transit corridor. This could disrupt critical supply chains and eliminate thousands of jobs, it says. 

GETO believes that “there is a significant risk that the Ukraine conflict will cause irreparable damage both to the activities of member companies and to markets and customers. Years of development work on the Eurasian corridor could be irrevocably undone.”

The main priority of GETO and its members is to maintain services, especially for Europe, as long as possible. The task would be to create the conditions for the Eurasian corridor to be rebuilt and developed even after a possible collapse of the market.

GETO says that climate-friendly and reliable freight transport by rail is becoming increasingly important for global supply chains. Compared with planes, rail produces around 95% less CO2 emissions and almost 70% less than trucks. Container ships have comparable emissions, but are much slower.

GETO president, Harm Sievers  said: “For the economic zones of Europe, Central Asia and China, the Eurasian corridor is of huge strategic importance. Rail transport is fast, environmentally friendly and, above all, cheaper than air transport with currently almost the same transit time. This has had a positive impact, especially during the pandemic with its global repercussions.

“Freight transport on block trains has achieved growth despite the Corona pandemic and thus made a significant contribution to the stability of trade between China and Europe. The Ukraine conflict is jeopardizing the successes achieved. GETO demands from its international partners to contribute everything in their power to preserve the corridor.”

Tags: GETO