Ukraine’s major industrial associations and groups oppose Ukrzaliznytsia’s significant and unjustified increase in freight rates, which would deal yet another blow to Ukraine’s economy.
Business representatives expressed this position at a press conference titled “A Tariff Blow to the Ukrainian Economy: Leading Industries Oppose Ukrzaliznytsia’s Unfair Increase in Freight Rates” at the Interfax-Ukraine news agency on Tuesday.
Oleksandr Kalenkov, president of the “Ukrmetallurgprom” Association, noted that while the draft order on raising tariffs has not yet been made public, the issue is being actively discussed. He emphasized that “Ukrzaliznytsia” is a state monopoly and that corruption is present in its operations. The company must operate transparently, and its activities should be overseen by an independent body—the National Commission for State Regulation in the Transport Sector—the creation of which has been under discussion in Ukraine for 17 years.
“We hope that the decision to raise tariffs will be made objectively. Moreover, freight transportation has always been profitable. Specifically, Ukrzaliznytsia’s operating profit in 2024 amounted to 20 billion hryvnias; profitability remained steady in 2025, and we also expect Ukrzaliznytsia to operate profitably this year. However, the volume of freight is decreasing: from 315 million metric tons in 2021 to 160 million metric tons in 2025,” said Kalenkov.
He added that the business community is trying to engage in a constructive dialogue with the company. In particular, there is the issue of subsidizing passenger transportation, but passenger transportation cannot be subsidized at the expense of private businesses; it must be funded through the budget. However, the business community can invest its own funds to provide support.
“Ukrzaliznytsia has opportunities to improve efficiency through its operational activities. Furthermore, it has the ability to secure external financing, whereas the private sector currently lacks such opportunities. So let’s resolve these issues together, rather than making decisions behind closed doors,” urged the head of Ukrmetallurgprom.
Kalenkov added that following the press conference, a joint appeal to the government would be drafted.
“We are prepared to accept a fare increase of up to 10%. And Ukrzaliznytsia itself must improve its efficiency. We need a normal, open discussion about the transportation situation,” he concluded.
Pavlo Kachur, head of the Association of Cement Producers of Ukraine (Ukrcement), noted that the transportation situation is becoming critical, and this threatens not only a specific industry but the Ukrainian economy as a whole.
“We support raising tariffs, but we advocate for an objective increase. Balanced rates must be adopted. No one has any interest in the collapse of any industry!” Kachur emphasized.
The head of “Ukrcement” proposed a set of solutions, including allowing private rail operators to participate in freight transportation, since, according to his data, up to 50 trains are unable to find locomotives for transport. Kachur also highlighted the need to raise salaries for train drivers and “Ukrzaliznytsia” employees, as well as the need to address the issue of passenger transportation, particularly commuter services.
He also spoke in favor of adopting anti-crisis measures and the need for “Ukrzaliznytsia” to publicly disclose its plans regarding where the funds generated by the tariff increases will be allocated.
“We support Ukrzaliznytsia presenting a program to modernize its rolling stock. We support the adoption of performance indicators for freight delivery so that the railway can report on this,” Kachur explained.
Serhiy Kudryavtsev, Executive Director of the Ukrainian Association of Ferroalloy Producers (UkrFA), supported the proposal regarding fares and resolving the issue of cross-subsidization. At the same time, for enterprises in the ferroalloy industry located in areas of active hostilities, the cost of freight delivery is a critical issue.
“The cost of transporting manganese to Nikopol has increased fivefold. And this is a matter of survival for our companies,” said Kudryavtsev.
Vladimir Gusak, CEO of the Federation of Transport Employers of Ukraine, expressed surprise at Ukrzaliznytsia’s plans to raise tariffs.
“This is yet another attempt by Ukrzaliznytsia to raise freight tariffs: by 30% starting in August 2026 and by another 15% starting in January 2027. That is, by nearly 50%. This shows a complete lack of understanding of the realities,” Gusak said, adding that the main problem is the chronic losses in passenger transportation. At the same time, the volume of freight transportation is declining: now, with every fare increase, companies are forced to either reduce shipments or switch to other modes of transport just to stay afloat.
“In the current situation, we believe a moratorium on railway fare increases should be implemented until the war ends,” Gusak emphasized.
Konstantin Saliy, president of the All-Ukrainian Union of Building Materials Manufacturers, noted that in developed countries, fare increases are approved only after consultations, and this issue always receives close attention.
“A 2–3% price increase in the EU causes significant public discontent. Here, however, it’s 30% right off the bat. And this will trigger a chain reaction of price increases—we’ll feel it first, and then consumers will,” Saliy predicted, adding that “Ukrzaliznytsia” could secure funding through land taxes, the development of retail trade at train stations, and other areas, rather than by raising fares. The company should streamline its administrative staff and optimize its expenses. And shifting its problems onto Ukrainians and Ukrainian businesses is the wrong approach, Saliy concluded.
Oksana Nechay, a logistics specialist for rail transport at the Kovalska Industrial and Construction Group, noted that every increase in production costs is practically catastrophic for their company.
“It will lead to a loss of customers, and we operate in the domestic market. And this will result in a drop in tax revenues. The next increase could also take a toll on part of the industry. Both we and Ukrzaliznytsia stand to lose. We are not opposed to an increase, but it must be justified, because we are interdependent,” Nechay said.
Ksenia Orynchak, Executive Director of the National Association of the Mining Industry of Ukraine (NADPU), reported on a “casual meeting” of mining industry representatives last week, as well as an appeal to the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Development, and the State Regulatory Service to prevent an increase in railway tariffs.
“We outlined the negative consequences. Meanwhile, the EU is currently focusing on environmental issues. But Ukraine is moving in the opposite direction, shifting from rail to road transport due to Ukrzaliznytsia’s stance,” Orynchak noted, proposing that a joint appeal following the press conference highlight the need to pursue an environmentally friendly approach in line with the SVA.
Source: https://interfax.com.ua/news/press-conference/1177028.html
BUSINESS, freight rates, INDUSTRY, KUDRYAVTSEV, Nechay, Saliy, TRANSPORTATION, UKRZALIZNYTSIA, КАЛЕНКОВ, Оринчак
Metinvest Shipping, the logistics division of the Metinvest Group, reported a net profit of UAH 32.945 million in January–March of this year, compared to a net loss of UAH 32.944 million during the same period last year.
According to the company’s interim report, which is available to the agency “Interfax-Ukraine”, revenue from ordinary activities for this period decreased by 5.1% to UAH 492.388 million.
Retained earnings as of the end of March amounted to UAH 1.525363 billion.
In 2025, the company reported a net profit of UAH 165.097 million, whereas in the previous year there was a net loss of UAH 67.393 million, while revenue from ordinary activities for the past year decreased by 8.1%—to UAH 2,290.835 million from UAH 2,492.714 million.
The number of employees at the end of 2025 was 263, and at the end of 2024—261.
The LLC ended 2024 with a loss of UAH 67.393 million, while in 2023 it amounted to UAH 729.472 million.
Metinvest Shipping LLC has been part of the Metinvest Group since 2006. The company has branches in Mariupol (operations temporarily suspended) and Odesa. The company’s activities cover the full range of freight transportation services: organization of road and rail transport, customs clearance, freight forwarding, ship agency services, and chartering of the maritime fleet.
Metinvest Holding LLC owns a 100% stake in Metinvest Shipping LLC.
The LLC’s authorized capital is UAH 25.012 million.
Metinvest is a vertically integrated group of mining and metallurgical enterprises. Its enterprises are located in Ukraine—in the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Dnipropetrovsk regions—as well as in European countries. The holding’s main shareholders are the SCM Group (71.24%) and Smart Holding (23.76%). Metinvest Holding LLC is the management company of the Metinvest Group.
LOGISTICS, METINVEST, PROFIT, TRANSPORTATION, Метинвест-Шиппинг
Kyiv plans to update public transportation fares: a single trip will cost 30 UAH, according to the press service of the Kyiv City State Administration (KCSA), which noted that a discount system will be in place for passengers who regularly use public transportation.
As reported on the KCSA’s Telegram channel on Monday, the cost of a single trip will depend on the number of trips purchased on the transit card. Thus, when purchasing 1–9 trips, the fare will be 30 UAH; 10–19 trips – 28.90 UAH; 20–29 trips – 27.80 UAH; 30–39 trips – 26.60 UAH; 40–49 trips – 25.50 UAH; 50 trips – 25 UAH.
Monthly passes are also available, with the cost of a single trip amounting to approximately 23.3–23.6 UAH. Discounted rates remain in place for students and schoolchildren: students will pay 50% of the monthly pass price; schoolchildren will ride for free during the school year and with a 75% discount in the summer.
Separately, there are plans to introduce a transfer ticket for 60 UAH, which will allow unlimited transfers between the metro and surface transit within 90 minutes.
The press service noted that fares in the capital have not been revised since 2018. The need to update fares is attributed to rising costs for electricity, fuel, labor, and maintenance of transportation infrastructure.
The new fares are scheduled to take effect on July 15, 2026, following the completion of regulatory procedures, as well as consultations with the public and labor unions.
As previously reported, starting January 1, 2022, Kyiv planned to raise public transit fares to 20 UAH, and to 12 UAH for holders of the Kyiv City Card.
In late 2021, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko assured that public transportation fares would not increase until the end of the heating season.
In 2023, Kyiv city officials stated that they do not intend to raise public transportation fares until the end of the war.
In September 2025, Mayor Klitschko stated that despite the fact that public transportation in Kyiv is subsidized, the city is looking for ways to avoid raising fares.
Ukrnafta JSC announces commercial procurement of road transport services for light petroleum products to meet commercial needs, the company said on Friday.
“The procurement will take place on the Zakupivli.pro platform in two stages. Offers submitted by other means will not be considered,” Ukrnafta said.
As explained by the company, Ukrnafta is accepting commercial proposals for road transportation of light petroleum products across Ukraine in connection with the expansion of its network and increased sales.
“We are waiting for commercial proposals until March 1, 2026, inclusive,” the statement said.
Ukrnafta JSC is Ukraine’s largest oil producer and operator of the largest national network of filling stations, UKRNAFTA. The company has 1,807 oil and 164 gas production wells on its balance sheet.
In 2024, the company entered into an asset management agreement with Glusco. In 2025, it completed a deal with Shell Overseas Investments BV to purchase the Shell network in Ukraine. It operates a total of 663 gas stations.
The company is implementing a comprehensive program to restore operations and update the format of its network of gas stations. Since February 2023, it has been issuing its own fuel vouchers and NAFTAKarta cards, which it sells to legal entities and individuals through Ukrnafta-Postach LLC.
The largest shareholder of Ukrnafta is Naftogaz of Ukraine with a 50%+1 share. In November 2022, the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine decided to transfer to the state the corporate rights of the company that belonged to private owners and is now managed by the Ministry of Defense.
On December 2, PJSC Ukrnafta announced a tender for insurance services covering the liability of dangerous goods transporters in the event of negative consequences during the transportation of such goods.
According to the Prozorro electronic public procurement system, the expected cost of purchasing the services is UAH 471,691 thousand.
Documents will be accepted until December 10.
Ukrnafta JSC is Ukraine’s largest oil production company and operates the largest national network of gas stations, UKRNAFTA. In 2024, the company entered into asset management with Glusco. In 2025, it completed an agreement with Shell Overseas Investments BV to purchase the Shell network in Ukraine. In total, it operates 663 gas stations.
The company is implementing a comprehensive program to restore operations and update the format of gas stations in its network. Since February 2023, it has been issuing its own fuel vouchers and NAFTAKarta cards, which are sold to legal entities and individuals through Ukrnafta-Postach LLC.
The largest shareholder of Ukrnafta is Naftogaz of Ukraine with a 50%+1 share.
In November 2022, the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine decided to transfer the company’s corporate rights, which belonged to private owners, to the state, and they are now managed by the Ministry of Defense.
Investments in the development of Georgia’s transport and logistics infrastructure for 2026-2031 will amount to $7 billion, the country’s Economy Minister Mariam Kvrivishvili said, speaking in Tashkent at the second forum of investors in the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor.
“To fully realize the transport and logistics potential of Central Asia, the Caspian region, the South Caucasus and the Black Sea, coordinated financing is crucial. In this regard, Georgia has committed to invest $7 billion in key transportation and logistics infrastructure by 2032,” Kvrivishvili said, quoted by the press service of the Economy Ministry.
According to her, the realization of these plans will require more active participation of the private sector in addition to the permanent participation of international financial institutions.
The Minister said that the priorities in the field of transport and logistics of Georgia in 2026 will be the complete renewal of railroad rolling stock and freight fleet, completion of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTC) railroad, as well as the introduction of unified digital services for both the public and private sectors in order to reduce the transit time in the country by 30%.
She also announced the signing of an agreement on the Caspian Sea-Black Sea international transportation route between Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Romania this December. “This initiative will create a new multimodal route from the Caspian region to the European Union, increasing transport connectivity, diversifying access routes and strengthening sustainability,” the minister said.
In addition, Kvrivishvili reiterated plans to build a deep-water port in Anaklia. “Once launched, Anaklia port will be able to handle up to 600,000 TEUs in the first phase by 2029 and at least 1 million TEUs in the second phase by 2035, which will allow Georgia to become the main hub for Central Asian cargo in the Black Sea region,” the minister said.
