Experts are advocating for Ukraine to revise its policies regarding the retirement of freight cars, suggesting that the actual technical condition of the cars should dictate their usability rather than adhering to a predetermined service life. This shift is seen as essential for maintaining freight transport capacity as the country prepares for post-war recovery.
According to industry expert Serhiy Vovk, the current practice of retiring freight cars based solely on their age poses significant risks to the economy, particularly as Ukraine transitions from active conflict to rebuilding. He emphasized that various types of freight cars, including hopper cars, grain carriers, and tankers, are crucial for transporting essential goods.
“A shortage of freight cars could emerge as combat operations cease and economic activity resumes. An increase in freight transport demand could lead to severe economic repercussions due to insufficient rolling stock,”
Vovk stated.
Prior to the war, Ukraine could mitigate freight car shortages during peak transport periods by leasing cars from Belarus and Russia. However, current geopolitical tensions render any collaboration with these nations unacceptable. Vovk highlighted the necessity for meticulous planning in managing the freight car fleet to ensure that the economy has adequate rolling stock in light of various potential scenarios.
Vovk criticized the existing regulatory framework, particularly Order No. 647, which relies on a car’s normative service life as the primary criterion for its operation. He pointed out that this approach does not align with European practices, where the decision to utilize rolling stock is based on the actual technical condition of the vehicle rather than its age.
While a temporary suspension of the retirement policy is in effect during martial law, experts argue that Ukraine should completely abandon age-based criteria for freight car operation. Instead, they propose the implementation of a comprehensive technical assessment system that evaluates whether a specific freight car meets safety requirements.
“There is a clear set of criteria that a freight car must meet to ensure it does not pose a safety risk on the tracks. The regulator’s role is to establish a control system that allows for an objective assessment of the technical condition of freight cars,”
Vovk explained.
Currently, new regulations for assessing the technical state of rolling stock are being developed. The forthcoming normative act is expected to outline the procedures for inspecting freight cars, the criteria for their operational suitability, and the responsibilities of involved parties during the evaluation process.
Experts are calling for Ukraine to shift its freight car retirement policies from age-based criteria to evaluations based on technical condition. This change is deemed crucial for ensuring adequate transport capacity during the country's post-war recovery.