Russia and Greece eye Bulgarian rail freight operation
Posted: 19 Apr 2012, 20:38
Russia and Greece eye Bulgarian rail freight operation
ifw Thu, 19 Apr 2012
Cash-strapped state operator set to sell profitable cargo division this year
Rossiyskie zheleznye dorogi, Russia’s state-owned rail freight operator, wants to acquire Bulgarian State Railways’ freight operations, according to media reports.
Russian Railways, one of the largest companies in the world, wants to buy the Balkan country’s freight arm in a joint deal with the Greek rail operator, according to the Bulgarian Trud daily newspaper.
The Bulgarian rail freight services would be of strategic importance to operators using Greece’s Thessaloniki port, a vital gateway for Chinese cargo traffic to Europe, according to the newspaper.
The Romanian, French and Turkish state railways are also reported to be interested.
The privatisation of Bulgarian State Railways (BDZ) freight services is expected later this year, Vladimir Vladimirov, Chairman of the financially troubled state company, announced in March.
Reforms carried out in 2011, including reducing passenger services and personnel, provoked a massive railway workers’ strike in November.
However, the freight transport arm has been steadily registering profits.
ifw Thu, 19 Apr 2012
Cash-strapped state operator set to sell profitable cargo division this year
Rossiyskie zheleznye dorogi, Russia’s state-owned rail freight operator, wants to acquire Bulgarian State Railways’ freight operations, according to media reports.
Russian Railways, one of the largest companies in the world, wants to buy the Balkan country’s freight arm in a joint deal with the Greek rail operator, according to the Bulgarian Trud daily newspaper.
The Bulgarian rail freight services would be of strategic importance to operators using Greece’s Thessaloniki port, a vital gateway for Chinese cargo traffic to Europe, according to the newspaper.
The Romanian, French and Turkish state railways are also reported to be interested.
The privatisation of Bulgarian State Railways (BDZ) freight services is expected later this year, Vladimir Vladimirov, Chairman of the financially troubled state company, announced in March.
Reforms carried out in 2011, including reducing passenger services and personnel, provoked a massive railway workers’ strike in November.
However, the freight transport arm has been steadily registering profits.