For the Polish carrier, Ukraine is a long-term investment that may be further strengthened in the coming months by a terminal located along one of the key railway lines in the region. This would make it possible to build an even stronger position in the Ukrainian and Turkish markets, which are already served by the company’s container operations.
Credit: Laude Smart Intermodal S.A.
“We have our strategic goals. Some can be pursued right now, while others must wait until the end of the war. One thing is certain: we are not slowing down. Alongside increasing our transport volumes in Poland and Ukraine, we are systematically expanding our network of connections to Italy and Germany. We are also building partnerships with Polish rail carriers. Our strengths in discussions with other operators include our nearly 70% share of Ukraine’s rail intermodal transport market, the trust we have built over the years, and our in-depth knowledge of the market,” says Pavel Kalasko, Vice President for Eastern Markets at Laude Smart Intermodal SA.
The Toruń-based company has long been looking for an attractive rail transport company in Western Europe that it could acquire and incorporate into its own group. “We considered several opportunities, but price and market position really matter. The goal is not simply to buy something at any cost. At Laude, we have clearly defined expectations and priorities. Buying at any price is absolutely not an option. What matters more is the opportunity to expand our offering into the most promising commodity groups and types of transport that create new growth opportunities,” argues Marcin Witczak, CEO of Laude Smart Intermodal.
More and Further
For several months, Laude Smart Intermodal has been holding talks that will enable it to pursue its strategy of connecting East and West via Ukraine even more effectively.
“One look at the map is enough to see that, geopolitically and strategically, countries such as Turkey, Romania and, of course, Poland are crucial to transport in this part of the world. We are an international carrier that wants to play an important role on these routes and in these connections. We have the resources, the necessary technology and solutions that give us a competitive advantage, so expanding our own logistics infrastructure is a natural stage of our development,” adds Pavel Kalasko.
Let us recall that recent months have brought the modernization of Laude Smart Intermodal’s terminals in Zamość and Sosnowiec, as well as new locomotives and wagons. The company is also expanding its cooperation with terminals in, among other places, Radomsko, Sławków and Duisburg. These terminals regularly dispatch the Polish carrier’s trains and containers to customers across Europe. The company is negotiating further acquisitions and alliances and continues to acquire land needed to develop its planned network of connections.
“We believe in growth through innovation,” concludes Marcin Witczak.