Representatives of Green Cargo and PKP met in order to discuss a possible restoration of rail ferry connections between Sweden and Poland. In the short term, the two companies may send containers across the Baltic Sea via ferries, but the long term idea is to enable entire trains to traverse it.

“Rail-ferry transport is a very promising market segment, enabling significant time savings in international freight transport. PKP Group will actively support PKP Cargo in relaunching regular connections between Poland and Sweden, which will contribute to the development of both sides”, the head of PKP, Alan Beroud, commented. “The new route will open a promising corridor connecting Scandinavia with Poland and the Mediterranean basin.”

In the short term, PKP says it wants to examine the possibility of sending containers across the Baltic Sea. The long term plan is to “launch ferry connections using ships adapted to transport entire railway wagons without the need for reloading”, says PKP Cargo in a press release.

Infrastructure partially in place

Part of the infrastructure for this project is already in place. “Connections between Poland and Sweden can be implemented through container terminals in Świnoujście and Gdynia”, a representative of PKP Cargo explained. “The launch of such a connection will benefit customers of both companies throughout Europe, giving them access to additional terminals and a wide network of rail connections.”

Recent investments in the Świnoujście terminal have made rail ferries possible, and it is planning to expand its capacity further as the only facility in Poland that can accept rail ferries. Shipments of containers on ferries across the Baltic have already taken place this summer, writes Railmarket.com.

The idea for a renewed rail ferry connection between Sweden and Poland is not a new one. Five years ago, PCC Intermodal also embarked on that adventure with Green Cargo, writes Polish publication Logistyka. At the time, the biggest hurdle was the “unbalanced movement of goods”, as there was sufficient demand for goods to move up north, but there was no return flow of freight to Poland.