Since last year September, Viktor Bystrian has been managing the commercial strategy of AWT group, a member of PKP CARGO. He says that as a long-time logistician he chose a job in the company, which is one of the leading providers of rail freight services in Europe. We approached Viktor Bystrian and ask him several questions about his experience in international transport group AWT.
You have gained a large experience in the field of transport and logistics. What did draw you to work at AWT?
Before joining AWT I worked at one of the largest shipping companies in the world – Maersk – for several years. That job that was for me and my future career very important. I am very grateful for the experiences that I gained in the field of rail and intermodal transport there.
In 2008 I got an offer to work for the group AWT, and because I knew this company very well and was aware that aspires to become an important freight rail operator in Europe, I accepted the offer. I am very glad that the group AWT fulfilled these ambitions and now I may work for one of the largest logistics and transport companies in Europe.
How do you use your logistical knowledge and experience within this large international group?
The main purpose of our work is to provide and assist both smaller and large customers to find appropriate and effective solutions, especially in transportation of goods from coal through steel, building materials, food and chemical products up to cars or components for automotive industry. At the same time we provide comprehensive services in the field of intermodal transport and forwarding, with which AWT has a long-time experience. For our business partners we want to offer a wide range of options, new solutions for transportation, various innovations and this way we are constantly learning new things. I dare say that I enjoy my work and find realization in it.
What are the latest trends in logistics that you encounter in AWT?
At present it is looking for new corridors for the transport of goods from different parts of the world to Central Europe. Not only AWT but also other logistics companies are looking for different transportation alternatives through German ports or to road transport of goods from Turkey and south-eastern Europe. This is where I can see some potential especially for intermodal transport. Another key trend is everyday finding solution to the lack of transport capacity.
AWT lays great emphasis on combined transport. What are its main advantages? What are the possibilities for further development of combined transport in Central Europe and Europe in general?
Today, when logistic operators solve the problem with the shortage of drivers, the main advantage of combined transport is that we are able to transport large quantities of goods between two the industrial centres with a much lower demand for manpower. We see the potential especially in continental transport. Contrary to Western Europe we lag strongly behind in this matter. The problem doesn’t lie primarily in a lack of terminals for combined transport, but especially in poor railway infrastructure, which after modernization prioritizes passenger transport to cargo transport. The result is a congested infrastructure and the excessive increases of costs for transportation.
Does the cooperation within PKP CARGO involve also creation of multimodal connections?
The long-term goal of PKP CARGO is the development of transport in the north-south direction. We have partly succeed already, but the problem is the obsolete infrastructure, for example in southern Poland. This makes the transit times by rail longer and puts a disadvantage combined transport to the road transport. But even here we can see a great progress, because modernization of the Polish railways proceeds in fast pace and the future in this field is huge.
Does Paskov terminal meet the demands of modern combined transport? Are you planning further development at this site, or building more such terminals?
Generally speaking, the best operation equipment for terminal designated for the container and trailer transhipment are track portal-cranes. Furthermore, it is ideal to have under a portal crane tracks long 750 meters. Unfortunately, terminal in Paskov does not have either a portal crane nor rails long 750 meters. During the gradual reconstruction the terminal had to be adapted to the shape and size of the grounds, on which operated former mine Paskov. “Only” front end loaders are used for the container and semi-trailers transhipment. However, this does not change the fact that the terminal Paskov is a modern transshipment point of European significance and one of the largest open terminals in the Czech Republic.
Today the terminal covers an area of 31,000 square meters with capacity of 2,400 TEUs. It has connections to largest European ports such as Hamburg, Rotterdam, Bremerhaven, Koper and Trieste or Czech terminals in Mělník and Lovosice. Within the 3rd phase of the modernization we plan to expand the terminal by another 40,000 square meters and its capacity to almost 5,000 TEUs to 2018. In addition, there will be built two new rail lines, each with a length of 350 meters and a parking area for 40 trucks. Also we will build linking for refrigerating containers and special area for containers with dangerous goods. Of course this area and service extension will bring construction of a new modern control centre for dispatching.
The experience of working for such an important and large group like AWT is certainly very rewarding. What do you see from a professional point of view as most fulfilling nowadays?
It is an opportunity to implement new ideas and new logistical possibilities for AWT, formed with the union of PKP CARGO, looking for and discovering new markets, corridors and segments for our transportation within Europe and outside our continent. Next it is the positive future of combined transport, expansion of transports for automotive or planning the development at terminal Paskov.
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