Ukrzaliznytsia in January-June 2020 cut cargo transportation to 143.2 million tonnes, which is 8.7% less than during the same time in 2019.
The company said on its Telegram channel for shippers on Monday that export reduced by 5.4% over this period to 38% of the total volume of cargo transportations, import – by 19.4% to 12%, transit – by 10.2% to 5%, and domestic transport services – by 8% to 45%.
In June 2020, cargo transportations reduced by 5.1% to 23.3 million tonnes. Export dropped by 15.8% to 32% of the total volume of cargo transportations, transit – by 11.7% to 4%. Meanwhile, import increased by 5% to 13% and domestic transportation services – by 1.1% to 51% of the total volume of cargo transportations.
The restructuring plan of JSC Ukrzaliznytsia (Kyiv) provides for its division into a number of specialized companies, up to five, member of the company’s supervisory board Serhiy Leschenko has said in an interview with Interfax-Ukraine. “The Ukrzaliznytsia restructuring plan presents the company’s unbundling for discussion – there are different approaches involving the creation of three to five verticals. Cargo and passenger transportation, infrastructure, repairs and non-core assets. But this, of course, is an ideal plan,” he declared.
At the same time, according to Leschenko, Ukrzaliznytsia has not been able to separate at least passenger traffic into a separate company and stop subsidizing it from freight transportation for a year.
“Today I’m very upset that when the conditions were favorable for the company, the moment was missed. And we got into a certain centrifuge when we need to accept the anti-crisis program and reform the company at the same time,” he said.
He said Ukrzaliznytsia is still a huge national treasure that needs to be used correctly and which will lose its value simply under the influence of time, if it is not maintained and modernized.
“We need to optimize the company as much as possible – its purchases, staff, and expenses. Even if not everyone benefits from it, someone will get more orders, someone will close or will be fired. But in general, the company should be the winner. And in many ways it will depend on the new head of the company,” the official said.
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine at a Wednesday meeting supported a bill of the Ministry of Infrastructure on the transfer of dividend payments for 2018-2019 by JSC Ukrzaliznytsia to no later than December 31, 2020 aiming at reducing the economic fallout from the coronavirus COVID-19 and the impact of lockdown on the financial and economic activities, the press service of the Ministry of Infrastructure has said.
According to an explanatory note to the bill, it is anticipated that the suspension of passenger traffic in Ukraine from March 18, 2020 will have a negative impact on the net profit of Ukrzaliznytsia in the amount of up to UAH 1 billion. At the same time, Ukrzaliznytsia was obliged to return significant amounts of funds for previously purchased tickets (almost UAH 300 million) to passengers.
In addition, a decrease in domestic production and the suspension of private shipping enterprises could result in the reduction in freight traffic in the first half of the year by 3-8% and will lead to a decrease in the volume of Ukrzaliznytsia earnings. In addition, due to the devaluation of the national currency in the first quarter of this year, FX losses in the amount of about UAH 5 billion are expected.
The document was agreed by the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry for Economic Development, Trade and Agriculture.
JSC Ukrzaliznytsia is technically ready for the resumption of passenger traffic until a predetermined date (from June 1, 2020), however, the launch date for passenger traffic on railway transport has not yet been changed.
Ukrzaliznytsia is technically ready to start passenger transporting, however, the government resolution regulates the date of June 1. The final decision will be made in the near future, based on the epidemic indicators of the regions and the decisions of the commissions on anthropogenic and environmental safety and emergency situations,” the press service of the Ministry of Infrastructure told Interfax-Ukraine.
As the agency was informed by the press service of Ukrzaliznytsia, according to Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine resolution No. 392 dated May 20, 2020, after the decision of the regional commissions on anthropogenic and environmental safety and emergency situations on easing anti-epidemic measures in regions, the company will appoint trains in these regions, and will start selling tickets.
The Infrastructure Ministry confirmed that the sale of train tickets can be started in the near future in those regions where there will be a positive decision on easing anti-epidemic measures.
The ministry said that they plan to follow the previously developed algorithm for launching railway transportation in several stages, namely, from June 1, running up to 50% of suburban electric trains during rush hours, launching 42 pairs of trains of Intercity and Night Express categories. At the second stage, it is planned to launch all suburban electric trains during daylight hours and all passenger trains except seasonal ones. At the third stage, it is proposed to open an international railway service, as well as seasonal trains.
JSC Ukrzaliznytsia in January-March 2020 saw a loss of UAH 7 billion, according to materials of the Cabinet of Ministers posted on its website on Wednesday.
According to the document, since March 11, 2020, Ukrzaliznytsia has suspended economic activity, which negatively affects its financial and economic performance.
“According to the results of the first quarter of this year, the company saw losses of UAH 7 billion… At the same time, according to the company’s forecasts, due to the need to repay loans and interest on them (UAH 11 billion and UAH 3 billion, respectively), a shortage of funds by the end of the year may amount to UAH 16 billion,” the company said in an explanatory note.
According to the document, the reduction in production in Ukraine, the shutdown of enterprises-shippers and the negative situation on international markets led to a 4.8% decrease in total cargo turnover in the first quarter of 2020 compared to the same period last year.
In order to minimize the negative consequences, Ukrzaliznytsia is implementing a number of compensation measures: an idle time for staff, suspension of planned salary increases, restriction of procurement of material and technical resources and services (except for critical positions), and optimization of payments.
On this basis, the Infrastructure Ministry proposed that the basic standard for sending part of the profits allocated for the payment of dividends based on the results of economic activities in 2019 is set in the amount of 30% (currently – 90%) for Ukrzaliznytsia.
JSC Ukrzaliznytsia in January-March 2020 saw a loss of UAH 7 billion, according to materials of the Cabinet of Ministers posted on its website on Wednesday.
According to the document, since March 11, 2020, Ukrzaliznytsia has suspended economic activity, which negatively affects its financial and economic performance.
“According to the results of the first quarter of this year, the company saw losses of UAH 7 billion… At the same time, according to the company’s forecasts, due to the need to repay loans and interest on them (UAH 11 billion and UAH 3 billion, respectively), a shortage of funds by the end of the year may amount to UAH 16 billion,” the company said in an explanatory note.
According to the document, the reduction in production in Ukraine, the shutdown of enterprises-shippers and the negative situation on international markets led to a 4.8% decrease in total cargo turnover in the first quarter of 2020 compared to the same period last year.
In order to minimize the negative consequences, Ukrzaliznytsia is implementing a number of compensation measures: an idle time for staff, suspension of planned salary increases, restriction of procurement of material and technical resources and services (except for critical positions), and optimization of payments.
On this basis, the Infrastructure Ministry proposed that the basic standard for sending part of the profits allocated for the payment of dividends based on the results of economic activities in 2019 is set in the amount of 30% (currently – 90%) for Ukrzaliznytsia.
