Poland is investing in railway infrastructure and rolling stock to move more freight from road to rail – a challenge it shares with South Africa.
Both countries remain heavily dependent on road logistics and have much to learn from each other as they work to return cargo to their railway networks, Polish Chamber of Railways director-general Adam Musiał told Freight News.
Speaking on the sidelines of the 17th Conference for the Development of Polish Railways in Warsaw, Musiał said investment in rail was central to Poland’s economic development.
“We have managed to go from words to deeds. We see this daily in the work that is happening on infrastructure. We are remaking Polish railways,” he told delegates.
Government was prioritising projects that improved connectivity and increased capacity, he said. Infrastructure and rolling stock investment was supporting a renewed focus on rail transport.
“We are seeing ongoing development of infrastructure and rolling stock. There is a definite return to rail in the country with billions being invested in our infrastructure.”
Rail development is also increasingly a national security priority amid geopolitical challenges in Europe. Conference discussions highlighted the development of military corridors and the need to improve the movement of military supplies along the railway network.
More efficient rail freight was essential to rebuilding Europe’s competitiveness, Musiał said.
Liesl Venter attended a study tour in Poland from October 13-17 as a guest of the Polish Investment and Trade Agency.
