Utilizing PKP SA infrastructure in the creation of logistics centers

The very slowly implemented motorway construction program and the rapidly deteriorating condition of roads are creating an increasingly difficult situation on the primary transport routes of our country. At the same time, our country has a well-developed network of railway lines, although in recent years there has been a reduction in their total length due to the closure of unprofitable lines.

The possibilities for rail to compete with road transport are relatively limited due to the costs incurred for infrastructure maintenance. However, a dense railway network creates a number of opportunities in domestic and international transport. Therefore, a very important condition for utilizing our country’s location and well-developed railway network, as well as the resulting benefits, is the intensive development of qualitatively new services of a complex logistics nature. These services should include not only basic transport but also ancillary services (sorting, distribution, phytosanitary, veterinary, documentation, customs services, etc.).

In the article “Logistics Centers at PKP SA” in issue 2/2003 of “Logistyka”, the intentions of PKP CARGO SA regarding the creation of logistics centers and transport concentration stations were shown. We would like to recall that the team dealing with this issue at PKP CARGO SA identified eight locations where the creation of international logistics centers should contribute, among other things, to improving the rather complicated transport situation in these regions and throughout the country. These are: Gliwice, Małaszewicze, Sławków, Poznań, Wrocław, Warsaw, Szczecin, Gdańsk or Gdynia. In subsequent articles, we would like to introduce you to the existing PKP SA infrastructure in these places and their surroundings.

Warsaw location.
The capital city of Warsaw covers an area of 518 sq km, with 1.6 million inhabitants, and 2.5 million in the entire agglomeration. The capital has the highest number of cars per capita. There are over 770,000 motor vehicles registered, including 130,000 trucks. Environmental protection (reduction of exhaust emissions and noise), communication problems of the Warsaw agglomeration, road layout, access to railway lines, and the land and existing infrastructure owned by PKP SA were of significant importance when considering the location for the construction of logistics centers.