Business urges restraint on increasing rail container tariffs

05/ 06/ 2025

Member companies of the European Business Association have expressed concern regarding Ukrzaliznytsia’s initiative to increase tariffs on container freight transport for loads with a gross weight exceeding 26 tonnes. According to experts from the EBA’s Logistics Committee, setting this tariff threshold would cover the vast majority of rail container shipments. Committee members believe it is essential to hold discussions on the proposed tariff adjustment — particularly on the justification for the 26-tonne weight limit — with cargo owners, specialised logistics operators, and maritime container lines. An increase in tariffs could reduce the volume of container shipments by rail and shift freight traffic towards road transport. This would put additional strain on road infrastructure, raise maintenance costs, and result in lost revenue for the railway and for many businesses involved in container logistics. It is worth noting that, in many cases, container transport by road is already more attractive to cargo owners than by rail. EBA member companies also point out that, in contrast, European Union countries are actively encouraging container rail transport by offering infrastructure access discounts of up to 25–75%. A shift towards containerisation is a key element of the EU’s transport strategy, which envisions at least 30% of freight being transported by rail or water, including in containers. Unlike the EU, Ukraine’s rail container transport sector is still in its formative stage and requires investment and government support. According to the EBA’s experts, developing this sector would contribute to: Increased export and import volumes through multimodality, cargo traceability, and predictable delivery times; More environmentally friendly logistics solutions; Preservation of road infrastructure by reducing the burden on roads, and fostering the development of related service sectors, including terminals, ports, transport logistics, and engineering. Therefore, the EBA’s experts consider the proposed tariff increase to be inappropriate and potentially harmful to export flows and inconsistent with Ukraine’s goals of transport integration with the EU. The EBA has sent an official letter to the Ministry for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine, the State Regulatory Service, and Ukrzaliznytsia. In this appeal, the business community urges a reconsideration of the decision to raise rail container transport tariffs and calls for a dialogue with business stakeholders in the near future. In the view of the business community, this would help avoid negative consequences for the rail container transport market, the broader railway industry, and Ukraine’s economy as a whole.

According to experts from the EBA’s Logistics Committee, setting this tariff threshold would cover the vast majority of rail container shipments. Committee members believe it is essential to hold discussions on the proposed tariff adjustment — particularly on the justification for the 26-tonne weight limit — with cargo owners, specialised logistics operators, and maritime container lines.

An increase in tariffs could reduce the volume of container shipments by rail and shift freight traffic towards road transport. This would put additional strain on road infrastructure, raise maintenance costs, and result in lost revenue for the railway and for many businesses involved in container logistics. It is worth noting that, in many cases, container transport by road is already more attractive to cargo owners than by rail.

EBA member companies also point out that, in contrast, European Union countries are actively encouraging container rail transport by offering infrastructure access discounts of up to 25–75%. A shift towards containerisation is a key element of the EU’s transport strategy, which envisions at least 30% of freight being transported by rail or water, including in containers.

Unlike the EU, Ukraine’s rail container transport sector is still in its formative stage and requires investment and government support. According to the EBA’s experts, developing this sector would contribute to:

Increased export and import volumes through multimodality, cargo traceability, and predictable delivery times;
More environmentally friendly logistics solutions;
Preservation of road infrastructure by reducing the burden on roads, and fostering the development of related service sectors, including terminals, ports, transport logistics, and engineering.

Therefore, the EBA’s experts consider the proposed tariff increase to be inappropriate and potentially harmful to export flows and inconsistent with Ukraine’s goals of transport integration with the EU.

The EBA has sent an official letter to the Ministry for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine, the State Regulatory Service, and Ukrzaliznytsia. In this appeal, the business community urges a reconsideration of the decision to raise rail container transport tariffs and calls for a dialogue with business stakeholders in the near future.

In the view of the business community, this would help avoid negative consequences for the rail container transport market, the broader railway industry, and Ukraine’s economy as a whole.