Coal

Rail Transport of Fossil Fuels (including coal) Constitutes Nearly One-Third of the Transported Mass in 2023

Fossil fuels account for 30.42% by weight and 21.01% by transport work in relation to the total rail freight transport in Poland. In 2023, 70 million tons of fossil fuels were transported by rail, with the transport work amounting to 19.94 billion ton-kilometers. Organizing the rail transport of coal from mines to power plants or ports requires precise planning of optimal routes and delivery schedules. A rail carrier handling such transport must provide comprehensive logistical support for the entire supply chain. Unlike other types of cargo, coal transport has unique characteristics specific to this resource.

Flexibility of the Carrier and Availability of Suitable Rolling Stock: A Must for Coal Transport

Coal is usually transported in large quantities over both short and long distances. Given its relatively high weight and volume, coal transport requires appropriate infrastructure and rolling stock. A carrier engaged in coal transport should have its own fleet of wagons (coal hoppers) and locomotives capable of handling long and heavy trains, both under electric traction and where such infrastructure is unavailable.

Timeliness and Flexibility in Coal Transport: A Necessary Condition and Obligation of the Carrier

Additionally, since coal is typically used as fuel in power plants, the timeliness of deliveries and flexibility in planning are crucial. The carrier must ensure coal deliveries according to the schedule during periods of high energy demand and times of reduced raw material needs in power plants. Therefore, the quality, quantity, reliability, and speed of repair or volume changes of the rolling stock according to needs, as well as flexibility in changing schedules and deliveries based on human and equipment resources, are critical.

Logistics Plan for Coal Transport Should Include:

• Distances between the mine and the end customer (power plant, port, coal depot)
• Railway line capacity
• Availability and efficiency of transshipment stations
• Quality and type of rolling stock used for transport
• Ease and speed of scaling transport infrastructure
• Transshipment capabilities of power plants and ports
• Compliance with specific regulations and safety of people, cargo, and the environment

Ecco Rail Guarantees: Own Rolling Stock and Preferential Access to Key Routes

Ecco Rail provides coal transport services to all market participants in Poland and for export procedures. Our geographic reach and connections allow us to deliver coal to all power plants and ports in Europe. Through cooperation with railway infrastructure managers, we ensure preferential access to key routes. We have our own fleet of coal hoppers in the Eas, Eaos, and Eamnos series, as well as a wide range of electric and diesel locomotives.