Representatives of PKP CARGO participated for three days in discussion panels as part of the 8th European Economic Congress in Katowice. They discussed, among other things, the condition of the Polish transport sector, the global expansion of Polish companies, and the potential of the New Silk Road – a rail connection between China and Europe, of which the PKP CARGO Group is a partner. The EEC is the most important economic event in Poland. PKP CARGO was one of its main sponsors.
During the EEC in Katowice, PKP CARGO was represented by members of the management board: Maciej Libiszewski, Grzegorz Fingas, and Jarosław Klasa. They participated in four discussion panels: “Global expansion of the European economy,” “Rail cargo market,” “Roads, railways, shipping. Transport system in Poland,” and “Europe-China Economic Cooperation Forum. The New Silk Road.”
During the discussion, the President of the Management Board of PKP CARGO, Maciej Libiszewski, argued that the Polish railway needs passable routes, even during their repairs and modernization. The head of the largest Polish carrier assured that PKP CARGO is in constant contact with PKP PLK, working together on the best solutions for traffic management during repairs and modernization of the national railway network.
– We can operate on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, day and night – whenever contractors are not carrying out work. We must build railway highways, but not at an excessive cost to the client. We are open to all good solutions – said Maciej Libiszewski.
In the panel on the rail cargo market, Grzegorz Fingas, Member of the Management Board for Commerce, argued that the challenge for rail freight carriers is the decreasing predictability in transport planning. Clients create plans more frequently, specifying transport in shorter timeframes, which requires greater flexibility from carriers. The PKP CARGO board member also spoke about the prospects of a rail freight connection between Europe and China.
– Rail is designed for the transport of bulk goods, but it is also increasingly opening up to new markets, including intermodal transport. The New Silk Road offers huge opportunities in this regard. The PKP CARGO Group is participating in the development of this connection – said Grzegorz Fingas.
The significant role of cooperation with Chinese partners in the development of the intermodal transport market based on rail transport was emphasized by Jarosław Klasa, Member of the Management Board for Operations. During the meeting as part of the Europe-China Economic Cooperation Forum, he declared PKP CARGO’s full readiness to support the development of the project connecting China and Europe by rail.
– The PKP CARGO Group has the competencies, technical capabilities, and infrastructure facilities to join this ambitious project. We enjoy the trust of customs offices and are constantly developing IT tools to improve customer service quality. This makes us a natural partner for the New Silk Road – said Jarosław Klasa.
The European Economic Congress is one of the most important economic events in Central Europe. This year, over three days, the series of debates devoted to new directions of thinking about the economic future of Europe gathered eight thousand guests from European countries, as well as from Asia and Africa.