Railway cooperation between Moldova and Ukraine: new opportunities for transport development

"The Moldovan Railways (CFM) is appealing to Ukrzaliznytsia with a proposal to change the formation of trains and send some cargo through the Kuchurhan-Novosavitska border crossing on the Transnistrian border. This became known during a meeting of representatives of the railways of Ukraine, Romania, and Moldova on March 12, Rail.insider reports.

According to the meeting, some shippers are not willing to use the route through Kuchurhan. "In this regard, consultations are being held with representatives of cargo producers to reach a mutually acceptable solution," said Valeriy Tkachev, deputy director of UZ's commercial work department.

"The main interest is focused on the transportation of ore and metals, but it is expected that agricultural products will continue to be transported through the border crossing Serpneve-1 - Basarabyaska.

On October 10, 2023, during his visit to Romania, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the imminent launch of a grain corridor from Ukraine through Moldova to Romania. On the same day, the government adopted Decree No. 920, according to which the Kuchurhan railroad checkpoint was removed from the list of closed ones.

On October 13, Ukraine and Moldova signed a protocol on organizing joint control at the Kuchurhan-Novosavitska railroad crossing point in Ukraine. This initiative will expand export opportunities and strengthen the region's transportation potential, President Zelenskyy said during the announcement of the protocol.

On January 11, 2024, the State Customs Service of Ukraine announced the launch of joint control together with Moldovan partners at the Kuchurhan-Novosavitska checkpoint. Information about the signing of the act of readiness of the checkpoint for the introduction of joint control was announced, but official statements from the Ukrainian side do not provide more detailed information.