Ukrainian rail ferries across the Black Sea are back. At least two trips were made between Odesa, Ukraine and Poti, Georgia in March. At the time, Ukrainian Railways (UZ) made no announcement, but the company has now come out with the news and urges businesses to consider using the ferry.
During the two ferry trips in March, a total of 80 empty wagons were transported. A modest start, but a start nonetheless. Ukrainian Railways had been floating the idea of returning the ferry for a while already. The service is carried out by UZ Cargo Poland and the company Ukrferry.
“We will become an operator not only of rail transportation, but also of sea transportation”, UZ’s commercial director Timofiy Murakhovskiy commented when the rail operator announced its plans in February. “The ultimate goal is to create a corridor that will provide turnkey services to our clients from China to Europe.” UZ said that the ferry would carry both rail wagons and containers.
Even if the re-launching of the ferry to Georgia could be considered a success, it is still hindered by the ongoing war. Only in the future does Ukrferry plan to have a regular service again.