Polish logistics operator Laude transfers 100 mln euros of assets to Ukraine
MOSCOW. Aug 15 (Interfax) - Laude Group of Companies, a Polish logistics operator, has transferred assets worth 100 million euros from Russia and Central Asian countries to Ukraine and plans to invest a further 250 million euros in an economic exchange program between Ukraine and the European Union, Ukrainian media said, citing the Laude press service.
"Laude Group of Companies is expanding its potential in Ukraine. The logistics company, based in Torun (Poland), has transferred its assets worth 100 million euros to Ukraine over the past few months. These are the assets that were previously located in Russia and Central Asian countries," the press service said.
Among other items, the company relocated 510 specialized flatbed railcars and several thousand containers, which are now being actively used to transport goods from Ukraine to Europe, it said.
The company also plans to increase its investments of Ukraine by acquiring locomotives, railcars and containers.
"We have decided to pursue an investment program worth around 250 million euros aimed at facilitating economic exchanges between Europe and Ukraine. Railways here are a key element for both export and import, and the company is an important operator," Laude CEO Marcin Witczak was quoted as saying in the press release.
In May, following thorough and lengthy preparations, Laude received approval for its cooperation with JSC Ukrainian Railways, the Polish company said.
"This is a key agreement which means that we are very closely connected with the Ukrainian market," Witczak said.
Meanwhile, Laude's development plans go beyond the expansion of its logistics systems.
"A large number of specialists from Ukraine will be working among several hundred employees of the company. We are working on a training program for train drivers from Ukraine," the company's CEO said.
In its logistics operations, Smart Intermodal, part of Laude Group, uses a state-of-the-art railway terminal in Zamosc, which is situated on broad-gauge and narrow-gauge (European) railways and is designed to handle and transship cargoes (containers) via the Izov-Hrubeszow border crossing (located 60 kilometers from the terminal). The Laude terminal in Zamosc is able to process ten trains per day and up to 15,000 TEU containers per year.
Laude Group belongs to ATS S.A, one of the largest importers of steel from Ukraine to the EU. Laude operates on international markets via its companies, connecting eastern and western transport routes through Poland. Laude cooperates with contractors from Turkey, China and India. Furthermore, the company has actively been investing in its development on the German market for the past few years.