Block trains are becoming increasingly popular in Ukraine 20.09.2018

  So called block trains (direct trains) logistics scheme becomes more and more popular in Ukraine and expected to make new step forward in stabilized logistics solutions for inland deliveries. Main idea for such scheme is one week direct train service from port to railway station and after that last mile delivery within radius about 200 kilometers by trucks. Option works back and forth for import and export bounds.

  After Maersk line declared starting of block trains to main country hubs Ukraine railway and such carriers as MSC and ZIM also partly started to develop subject service as well.

  For September 2018 following block train services opened / declared:
• Yuzhniy – Kiev (operated by Maersk line);
• Yuzhniy – Dnipropetrovsk (operated by Maersk line);
• Yuzhniy – Kharkov (operated by Maersk line);
• Yuzhniy – Ternopol (operated by Maersk line);
• Odessa – Dnipropetrovsk (operated by Ukraine railway);
• Odessa – Kharkov (operated by Ukraine railway);
• Odessa – Ternopol (operated by ZKT terminal);

Nowadays stabile work of trains is still under process – for sure some updates and changes expected despite it is obvious fact that current logistics season in Ukraine will become different due to subject innovations on the market.

Advantages:
• Stabil train service going per schedule – no need to depend on lines at port;
• Train goes with no long stops on junction station – thus less risks for cargo to be stolen. One way trip takes less then 24 hours in average;
• Last mile delivery by trucks can reach about 200 km distance after arriving to railway station – logistics cost in lots directions would be cheaper then direct sending container by truck;
• No strict limits for weight as for usual truck deliveries;