Poland plans to build a European-gauge railway to Odesa to open access to Middle Eastern markets

The Polish Industrial Development Agency (ARP) plans to create a railway connection between Poland and Ukraine. This was stated by the new president of the ARP, Bartłomiej Babushka. In his opinion, these investments will open up access to the markets of the Middle East for Poland, writes Inpoland.

According to Babushkin, the Agency has joined Team Poland on the issues of reconstruction of Ukraine. Currently, discussions are underway in the working groups on the development of a list of investment projects.

One of the important priorities is the creation of a logistics connection between Silesia through Lesser Poland and Ukraine, namely to Odesa.

The head of the ARP explained that if Ukraine is considering joining the EU, this cannot be done on a “broad gauge”. As an example, he cited Azerbaijan, where two tracks are laid side by side: a wide and a narrow gauge.

Babushka noted that the project is a rather worthwhile investment, since the construction of the track will require the purchase of land along the tracks, which stretch for more than 800 km from Lviv to Odesa.

He added that negotiations have already taken place with the Ukrainian side regarding a narrow-gauge railway to Odesa. A key element of ARP’s plans in this regard is the expansion of the railway terminal in Slavkov, which is to be completed within two years.

Tags: rail transportation, Ukraine, grain, Poland, Black Sea port of Odesa