A total of 3.6 million t of iron ore were carried by railways in Ukraine in February 2025, showing a 15% decrease compared with January 2025. Iron ore exports dropped by 17% month-on-month to 2.7 million t, while home deliveries shrank by 8% month-on-month to 900,000 t.
The Russian drone hitting the MJ Pinar vessel in Odessa port has been the main market event this week, as there are rumors that many owners are again reluctant to call Ukrainian ports. In fact, however, this attack had absolutely no impact on the overall market picture, including the freight rates ex Ukrainian ports.
A consortium of BAWI and Swietelsky will modernize part of the railway infrastructure in Romania’s largest port, Constanta. This is the second phase of a large-scale investment project implemented by Romanian Railways (Caile Ferate Romane/CFR) in Constanta.
The railway traffic of rolled steel products, semi-finished products, pipes, pig iron and scrap of ferrous metals decreased by 12% month-on-month to 670,000 t in Ukraine in February 2025 compared with January. In particular, exports dropped by 18% month-on-month to 393,000 t; domestic supplies rose by 3% month-on-month to 269,500 t
Between March 17 and April 16, a convention will be in effect that will restrict transportation of any cargo from Ukraine to Polish stations of Zamosc Bortatycze, Zamosc, Miaczyn, Werbkowice and Hrubieszow Miasto for all consignees.
As part of the Rail Baltica project, Lithuania has announced public procurement for the construction of a high-speed railroad superstructure. So far, 86,200 tons of crushed stone, 30,000 tons of reinforced concrete sleepers and 42 km of track have been delivered.
Railway deliveries of mineral fertilizers dropped by 14% to 244,000 t in February compared with January 2025. In particular, domestic supplies shrank by 20% month-on-month to 164,000 t, while transportation of imported mineral fertilizers rose by 9% to 80,000 t.
Dynamics of average mazut prices, $/tonne
Gondola car rental rate index, €/day*
The February 2025 cargo turnover of the Riga Freeport slumped to the lowest since July 2024. Port operators processed a total of 1.3 million t of cargo of various types, which is 212,000 t below January 2025.