- Another week has begun with rumors about the blockade of borders for Ukrainian carriers . It is no secret that one of the directions of United Multimodal's activities is transport from Ukraine to Europe . Aren't you afraid?
- Am I afraid? No. Although our priority is cross-border cargo transport between Ukraine and Poland . But I look at it from two different perspectives. #blockadesroads #logisticspoland.On the one hand, this year, Ukraine has reduced its grain sales for various reasons. In any case, we could not rely solely on this. On the other hand, UMS logistics services are primarily cross-border transport of containers, bulk cargo and sea containers by rail. The blockades will primarily affect the transport of grain. Speaking of grain - we also transport it in Grain Containers specially adapted for this purpose . When there were cases of blocking railway tracks and spilling grain, our locomotives without any problems.
- How important is the role of Ukrainian raw materials for the European market?
- Ukraine is one of the key suppliers of many products to the European market, these are ores, processed grain cargoes, it is a leader in the production of corn on the world market, sunflower oil on the European market and so on. Therefore, limiting Ukrainian exports is reflected in losses for Poland and other countries that profit from the transit of Ukrainian goods . For example, after the spring campaign, the volume of budget revenues in Poland from these operations that we are talking about fell by almost 50 percent, which translated into losses in the state budget.
- How does UMS position itself - as a European or more Ukrainian company on the European market?
- We are definitely a European company, but our connection with Ukraine is uninterrupted. We cooperate with Ukrainian partners in export and import , our ties are solid and will remain so forever.
- To what extent do old ties help in new circumstances?
– I have been involved in logistics for over 25 years and of course old partnerships are very helpful. In fact, our new direction of activity was chosen for our regular customers: what happened in 2022, the closure of ports, blockades – all this required us to look for new routes to deliver export goods to Poland and Europe . We transported everything we could.
- How is Ukrainian business generally coping with the war? What do partners and acquaintances say?
- As for Ukraine, the situation is indeed very difficult. They are constantly bombarding the power grid. There is no electricity. Manufacturers have difficulty finding sales markets, it is problematic due to the rules of trade with Europe , which have been relaxed, but restrictions on some goods and services are still in place. During this time, over 10 million people have left the country. Many of them have opened their own companies, work, invest in the development of the European economy and pay taxes. Our company is not a large enterprise, but last year we paid about 60 thousand euros in taxes to the Polish budget and this is just the beginning - this year this amount will be much higher for the current year. I think that Poland and Europe also benefit from showing help to the people of Ukraine. Good returns. - You have been on the Polish market for almost two years, was it difficult to adapt?
- Our Ukrainian "background" - is the habit of working 24X7 as they say. We had to get used to a more moderate rhythm, on the other hand motivate our partners a little. In general, we appreciate the most that our Polish and European Partners are decent and honest people. We received a lot of understanding from them, and from you as well. I feel gratitude .
- Where are you from?
- I come from Odessa. It's a famous city on the Black Sea. Odessa is, among other things, a major hub for rail, sea and road logistics. Odessa's goods turnover was very large, I suppose that the ports of the greater Odessa (Odessa, Yuzhny, Chernomorsk) handled an order of magnitude more cargo than all of Poland. But unfortunately, there is a war going on.
- How is Odessa experiencing this war?
- What can you say when a city is bombed?
- Does UMS have its own strategy for the European market?
- For us, the priority strategic task now is to extend our Polish route and connect it with Germany and the Netherlands . The purchase of traction locomotives is also to serve this purpose. We are currently in talks with partners on expanding the range by two more and are expanding the direction of rail transport of bulk and liquid cargo.
- Sometimes you can feel uncertainty in the air about the future, are there no fears?
- Fear is the worst advisor. There is a good old book, in which "don't be afraid" is repeated 365 times, for every day of the year. I think we need to look to the future with faith and calm optimism.
#businessPoland#logisticsPoland#railwaytransportPolandUkraine#containertransport#logisticsEurope#railwaytransportEU
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