Steel wire imports from Ukraine, used by Ózd Steel Works for bundled wire coil production, were historically transported by truck from Fényeslitke, near the Záhony border, to Ózd, 180 kilometers away. The heavy axle loads of the trucks generated noise, air pollution, and passed through dozens of municipalities in three counties.
RCH developed an innovative single wagonload transport solution to address these challenges. This system relies on unique technology designed to transload and securely fasten goods from wide-gauge trains onto domestic standard-gauge wagons, ensuring seamless transportation by rail.
Once loaded, the steel wire is transported to the nearest railway node, sorted into express trains, and forwarded to Miskolc’s marshalling yard. From there, service freight trains deliver the wagons to Ózd Center station. Each Ukrainian train carrying 250-300 tons of steel wire now replaces around 20 trucks, significantly reducing environmental pollution.
The shift to rail aligns with Hungary’s sustainability goals. In the first 10 months of 2024, RCH transported 4 million tons of goods using single wagonload technology, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 65,000 tons. This mode of transport, supported by state aid, has grown in demand, with Hungarian industrial companies increasing their use of the service by nearly 16% compared to the previous year.
The continued availability of state aid is critical to maintaining and expanding this vital service. The current five-year state aid program, which supports single wagonload transport as an essential part of Hungary’s national economy, is set to expire at the end of 2025. RCH has emphasized the importance of extending this program to sustain environmentally friendly freight solutions and further reduce Hungary’s carbon footprint.
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