CTL built the terminal together with PKP Cargo. For several years, despite an unregulated status regarding the land lease, both companies cooperated without major obstacles. CTL paid rent to PKP Cargo, and in return, the latter shunted CTL wagons across the border. But only until Tuesday.
– We have suspended service for the company from the CTL Logistics group due to the lack of an agreement specifying the terms of cooperation – says Jacek Wnukowski, spokesperson for PKP Cargo.
He emphasizes that the carrier was driven to the final resort.
Both companies are standing firm in their positions. “The decision to suspend the provision of services by PKP CARGO SA for the company from the CTL Logistics SA group is a final resort. For several years now, a company from the CTL Logistics SA group has been using the gas transshipment terminal in Podsędków (Małaszewicze region, Belarus – Poland border crossing) without an agreement specifying the terms of cooperation.” – we read on the PKP Cargo website.
CTL, on the other hand, claims that it is the PKP company that is breaking legal rules and exposing the carrier and its clients to huge financial losses. At the same time, it warns that stopping the gas wagons could have a very negative impact on gas supplies to the south-eastern regions of Poland. Furthermore, the gas wagons pose a direct threat to health and life.
– One can argue, and there are various ways to resolve conflicts. However, leaving wagons with such dangerous goods is an action that is risky at the very least – confirms Krzysztof Niemiec, member of the board of CTL Logistics.
PKP Cargo retorts that it possesses all necessary tests and certificates confirming that storing gas in railway wagons does not pose any threat, neither to people nor to the environment.
“The current situation is the result of a lack of clear regulations in rail transport, where elements of railway infrastructure are at the disposal of one of the carriers – PKP Cargo – instead of belonging to PKP PLK. Such a situation is inconsistent with EU directives” – we read in the company’s statement from CTL.