Ukrzaliznytsia (UZ) has revised the average daily speed of its freight rolling stock, increasing it by an average of 38%, according to the company’s press service.
“Ukrzaliznytsia has revised the average daily speed of its own freight rolling stock, which will make the use of the company’s cars much more profitable for customers. Carriers will spend less time on transportation and, therefore, pay less for the use of cars,” the company said in a statement on Thursday.
According to the company’s statement, the revised speed standards cover the following types of rolling stock owned by Ukrzaliznytsia: grain cars; tank cars; covered cars; cement cars; converted specialized rolling stock; container and fitting platforms. The new values came into effect on June 16 and will remain in force until December 31, 2025.
For fitting platforms, new speed limits have been set at the following levels: domestic and import transportation: wagon/container dispatch – 170 km/day (previously: 154 km/day); route or container trains – 197 km/day (previously: 154 km/day). For exports via land border crossings: wagon/container shipments – 213 km/day (previously: 139 km/day); route or container trains – 213 km/day (previously: 139 km/day). Transportation to port stations: wagon/container dispatch – 182 km/day (previously: 156 km/day); route or container trains – 264 km/day (previously: 156 km/day).
The updated speed indicators were established based on a detailed analysis of the actual movement of cars in the first half of 2025. In particular, it was found that for a number of types of rolling stock, the actual average daily speed significantly exceeds the current standards, according to the report.
“For rolling stock, the speed will increase by an average of 38%. This will allow shippers to deliver cargo in fewer days using Ukrzaliznytsia cars, which will directly reduce logistics costs and promote the development of container transportation both within Ukraine and to other countries,” Ukrzaliznytsia said.
The company’s CEO, Oleksandr Pertsovsky, noted that the significant acceleration of freight traffic standards will make orders for UZ cars more attractive to customers even in the current surplus market, as well as provide advantages in competition with private operators, which have recently dominated the market.
In January-April this year, Ukraine reduced exports of semi-finished carbon steel products in physical terms by 24.6% compared to the same period last year, to 440,036 thousand tons.
According to statistics released by the State Customs Service (SCS) on Tuesday, in monetary terms, exports of carbon steel semi-finished products fell by 25.3% to $215.286 million.
The main exports were mainly to Bulgaria (40.65% of supplies in monetary terms), Turkey (18.46%), and Poland (13.59%).
During the period in question, Ukraine imported 3,303 thousand tons of semi-finished products worth $2.687 million, mainly from the Czech Republic (72.47%), Italy (26.26%), and Romania (0.93%).
As reported, in 2024, Ukraine increased exports of semi-finished products made of carbon steel in physical terms by 56.7% compared to 2023, to 1 million 886.090 thousand tons. The main export destinations were Bulgaria (32.06% of shipments in monetary terms), Egypt (18.50%), and Turkey (11.14%).
In 2024, Ukraine imported 306 tons of semi-finished products worth $278 thousand from the Czech Republic (88.13%), Romania (7.19%), and Poland (2.88%), while in 2023, it imported 96 tons worth $172 thousand.
In 2024, Zaporizhstal Iron and Steel Works of Zaporizhzhia launched the production of six new types of sheet and coil products, which are in demand in the construction industry, railcar building, and hardware segment.
According to the company’s press release on Monday, over the past year, about 14 thousand tons of new products were shipped to consumers from Bulgaria, Poland, Slovakia and the domestic market.
“Ukrainian steelmakers are working despite the following: lack of workers; energy supply constraints; underutilization of production capacities; and the logistics crisis. In these realities, we are not just producing steel products – we are competing and fighting for customers, and in response to customer requests, we are developing new product mixes. In 2024, Zaporizhstal shipped 14 thousand tons of new product mixes to its customers. And the work on replenishing the product portfolio continues: we are currently working on the development of three more new types of products,” said Taras Shevchenko, Acting CEO of the steel plant.
At the same time, the press release clarified that in 2024, Zaporizhstal will launch four products in the cold-rolled segment. In particular, the S250GD coil, which is used for further galvanizing and other coatings, and then for the manufacture of lightweight steel thin-walled structures.
The press release also specified that in 2024, Zaporizhstal will launch four products in the cold-rolled segment. In particular, the S250GD coil, which is used for further galvanizing and other coatings, and then for the manufacture of lightweight steel thin-walled structures. The new products also include S215G rolled steel, which is used to manufacture open and welded metal profiles, sheets and other building structures.
Zaporizhstal’s metallurgists have also mastered the technology for producing DC01 coils with a thickness of 2.5 mm and cold-rolled plates with a thickness of 2.1-2.5 mm. These types of rolled products are used in conditions where the precision of product geometry and ease of forming with a sufficient level of mechanical strength are important.
In addition, in 2024, Zaporizhstal started production of two types of hot-rolled steel. These are coils and sheets of S355JR/S355J2 grades with a thickness of 2.75-2.79 mm, which are used in the production of electric-welded pipes and profiles, and a sheet with a size of 5.0×1500×6000 mm made of 09G2/09G2S steel for the manufacture of railway structural elements.
In total, in 2024, Metinvest Group’s Ukrainian steelmaking enterprises mastered the production of 20 new types of steel products in response to market demand.
“Zaporizhstal is one of the largest industrial enterprises in Ukraine, whose products are in great demand among consumers both in the domestic market and in many countries around the world.
“Zaporizhstal is in the process of being integrated into Metinvest Group.
In January-September this year, Ukraine increased exports of carbon steel semi-finished products in physical terms by 65.5% year-on-year to 1 million 529.919 thousand tons. According to statistics released by the State Customs Service (SCS) on Tuesday, exports of carbon steel semi-finished products increased by 59.1% to $758.627 million in monetary terms.
The main exports were to Bulgaria (31.05% of supplies in monetary terms), Egypt (20.80%) and Turkey (10.08%).
In January-September 2024, Ukraine imported 5 tons of semi-finished products from Egypt for $5 thousand, while in January-September 2023, it imported 92 tons of semi-finished products from China for $169 thousand.
As reported, in 2023, Ukraine decreased exports of carbon steel semi-finished products in physical terms by 36.7% compared to 2022, to 1 million 203.454 thousand tons, while exports in monetary terms decreased by 48.9% to $608.516 million. The main exports were made to Bulgaria (36.66% of supplies in monetary terms), Poland (23.01%), and Italy (9.60%).
In addition, in 2023, Ukraine imported 96 tons of semi-finished products from China (98.26%) and Turkey (1.74%) for $172 thousand.
In January-July this year, Ukraine increased exports of carbon steel semi-finished products in physical terms by 68.1% year-on-year to 1 million 107.341 thousand tons.
According to statistics released by the State Customs Service (SCS) on Friday, exports of carbon steel semi-finished products increased by 55.1% to $549.282 million in monetary terms.
The main exports were to Bulgaria (34.90% of supplies in monetary terms), Egypt (13.19%) and Poland (9.82%).
In January-July 2024, Ukraine imported 5 tons of semi-finished products from Egypt for $5 thousand, while in January-July 2023 it imported 92 tons of semi-finished products for $169 thousand.
As reported, in 2023, Ukraine decreased exports of carbon steel semi-finished products in physical terms by 36.7% compared to 2022, to 1 million 203.454 thousand tons, while exports in monetary terms decreased by 48.9% to $608.516 million. The main exports were made to Bulgaria (36.66% of supplies in monetary terms), Poland (23.01%), and Italy (9.60%).
In addition, in 2023, Ukraine imported 96 tons of semi-finished products from China (98.26%) and Turkey (1.74%) for $172 thousand.
In January-June this year, Ukraine increased exports of carbon steel semi-finished products in physical terms by 61.6% year-on-year to 888,016 thousand tons.
According to statistics released by the State Customs Service (SCS) on Tuesday, exports of carbon steel semi-finished products increased by 47.3% to $439.909 million in monetary terms.
The main exports were made to Bulgaria (35.49% of supplies in monetary terms), Poland (11.74%) and Italy (8.56%).
In January-June 2024, Ukraine imported 5 tons of semi-finished products from Egypt for $5 thousand, while in January-June 2023, it imported 72 tons of semi-finished products from China for $133 thousand.
As reported, in 2023, Ukraine decreased exports of carbon steel semi-finished products in physical terms by 36.7% compared to 2022, to 1 million 203.454 thousand tons, while exports in monetary terms decreased by 48.9% to $608.516 million. The main exports were made to Bulgaria (36.66% of supplies in monetary terms), Poland (23.01%), and Italy (9.60%).
In addition, in 2023, Ukraine imported 96 tons of semi-finished products from China (98.26%) and Turkey (1.74%) for $172 thousand.
