Poland intends to strengthen its role in transport logistics between the European Union and Ukraine. The President of the Industrial Development Agency (IDA) Michał Dąbrowski told PAP that the country has the necessary infrastructure and should already now determine its position in the process of Ukraine’s recovery. He noted that the terminal in Sławków could become a “window to Ukraine” since it is a unique facility capable of ensuring efficient transport flow.
The CZH Group, of which ARP is the largest shareholder, includes Euroterminal Sławków and the Sławków-Medyka transshipment terminals. These facilities are located at the junction of broad (1,520 mm) and standard (1,435 mm) railway gauges, which makes them strategically important for cargo flow. However, to fulfill the role of a logistics hub, the infrastructure needs to be modernized, as well as the capacity of the terminal in Sławków needs to be increased. The necessary investments are currently being calculated.
The development of the transport sector is also being considered at the government level. The EU plans to allocate up to €50 billion for Ukraine’s recovery and economic transformation between 2024 and 2027. These funds could be used to develop the transport network, which is especially relevant in the context of devastated roads and limited access to seaports. In July 2023, Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego (BGK) published a report according to which road transport across the Polish-Ukrainian border increased from 52.3% in 2021 to 58.5% in 2023, while the share of rail transport decreased.
Poland has already planned a number of infrastructure projects aimed at improving transport links with Ukraine. As part of the national road construction program until 2030, expressways S12 Piaski – Dorogusk and S17 Piaski – Grebinne will be built. In addition, the Ministry of Infrastructure plans to expand the railway lines on the Rzeszow-Medyka and Lublin-Dorohusk routes. On the Ukrainian side, a European standard railway line (1435 mm) will be built from Lviv to Medyka, which will optimize cargo transportation. However, Polish companies also have challenges. The expansion of transshipment capacities on the territory of Ukraine may lead to a decrease in the volume of operations on the Polish side, and Ukraine’s transition to the 1435 mm gauge may weaken the position of Polish railway operators. Nevertheless, Ukraine’s possible accession to the EU and simplification of border controls may create new prospects for Polish companies that will be able to participate in the construction and modernization of transport infrastructure on Ukrainian territory.