Since February of this year, ČD Cargo has been actively returning to the Single Wagon Load segment, including the transport of sorted lignite from Bílina, and timber. In both segments, we are ready to negotiate pricing terms and transportation arrangements with our customers. The results of this approach are already evident. During the current heating season, we are recording an increase in lignite consignments for key wholesale customers. After some time, we have also resumed consignments of lignite briquettes from Lusatia, Germany. The trend is similar for timber consignments. Although total volumes have declined over the past two years as the bark beetle calamity has subsided, we are maintaining our market share. Moreover, we have been growing in recent months, thanks in part to timber imports from Polish ports. We are also successfully securing new contracts for the transport of wood chips.
The company’s financial results also confirm this positive trend. In the first half of 2026, the ČD Cargo Group transported a total of 27.8 million tonnes of freight, which was significantly more than originally planned. At the same time, it achieved a pre-tax profit of CZK 385 million. In addition to solid fuels and timber, the company also performed well in the transport of grain, cars, and intermodal freight. An active business strategy and measures to increase operational efficiency contributed to the return to profitability.
Of course, we cannot meet every demand. Like any other commercial enterprise, we must assess the economic efficiency of individual consignments and seek solutions that make sense for both customers and the carrier. However, we categorically reject the claim that we are not interested in smaller customers or that we refuse to transport their consignments on principle. Similarly, we disagree with the oversimplified conclusion that rail cannot compete with road transport because the latter is cheaper, faster, and more flexible. In the first half of this year alone, we transported nearly 28 million tonnes of goods. This is clear proof that rail freight transport has its firm place in the market and that customers want its services.
Road and rail transport often complement each other, while at other times they compete. Rail transport, however, can offer a competitive solution in terms of price, transport capacity, and reliability. Our goal is to provide efficient and long-term sustainable transportation services to both large industrial companies and smaller customers. The return to Single Wagon Loads, the acquisition of new contracts, and this year’s financial results confirm that we are successfully implementing this strategy.
