On 5 March 2015 in Warsaw, Polish national rail cargo operator PKP Cargo and HZ Cargo signed a Strategic Cooperation Agreement. This agreement is an important element of the expansion strategy in Central and South Europe. The companies will cooperate to enhance services for their current and new customers, increasing the volume of cargo transport on the Baltic-Adriatic corridor, and developing promising joint logistics offers. The cooperation will provide for better intermodal transport services in the Baltic States, the Adriatic and North Seas, and the Balkans.
The signed agreement is an important element of the PKP Cargo expansion strategy focused on Central and Southern Europe. PKP Cargo may operate trains on an independent basis in nine EU Member States; however the Balkans has remained unavailable for the Polish carrier – until now. The partnership with HZ Cargo will enable close cooperation in the area of rail freight and provide logistics services within the Baltic region, Adriatic and North Sea triangle, and in the Balkans.
“This is an important step in the strategy of PKP Cargo development and expansion in Central and Southern Europe and is making full use of the capacity of the N-S transport corridors. Cooperation with HZ Cargo has perfectly fulfilled the acquisition of AWT. It is our opportunity to gain new customers, not only in the Balkans. Large investments, which have been delivered in the Croatian ports translate into an opportunity to increase the scale of intermodal operation and win attractive orders in this rapidly developing market sector”, said Chief Executive Officer of PKP Cargo Adam Purwin.“As the transport services in certain European countries are dominated by national carriers with market share reaching 70%-80%, such strategic alliances with the local leaders remain in most cases the only attainable formula to develop international activity”, he added.
Both companies will strictly cooperate in the area of commercial offer and development of joint products for the customers. Significant operational synergies will be achieved thanks to better use of rolling stock and mutual access to the terminals managed by both partners.
“PKP Cargo Group is one of largest players on the European rail freight map. Our company has gained a strong strategic partner, enabling us both to extend our logistics service portfolio and exchange valuable know-how. For both companies the strategic cooperation is a chance to extend served logistics chains with access to three seas and several major European seaports,” said President of the HZ Cargo Management Board Danijel Krakić.
(Source: HZ Cargo)
