Peter Kiss (Metrans Group): The acquisition of Adria Rail was a strategic move, we must find ways to improve the competitiveness of railways

Metrans’ acquisition of Adria Rail has enabled this Czech company to expand its sustainable rail transport services to the Port of Rijeka, connecting it with the rest of Europe. With its position in the Adriatic Sea, the Port of Rijeka offers an outlet to Central and Eastern Europe. Peter Kiss, CEO of Metrans Group, revealed in an interview with Lider how essential rail transport is for achieving global climate goals and what steps Metrans plans to take to reduce its carbon footprint and what obstacles need to be overcome for rail transport to be more competitive.

The acquisition of the Croatian company Adria Rail has allowed Metrans to expand its presence in the Port of Rijeka. What are the advantages of this acquisition and how does it fit into the company’s future plans?

The acquisition was a strategic move for us as it allowed us to expand our network in the Adriatic. Metrans provides comprehensive, timely intermodal rail and road transport services by managing its own shuttle trains that transport cargo from the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, the German hinterland, and Austria, connecting this area with major European ports including Hamburg, Bremerhaven, Rotterdam, and Duisburg, as well as connections to the south, namely Koper, Trieste, and Istanbul, based on our network of highly sophisticated container terminals and modern rail hubs in Uhřineves in Prague, Česká Třebová, and Dunajská Streda in Slovakia.

The Port of Rijeka is an important outlet to Central and Eastern Europe, and by being present there, we can offer our customers more efficient transport solutions. We plan to develop this network further by investing in new intermodal services. The acquisition allows us to offer our clients more options for intermodal transport, connecting the Port of Rijeka with other destinations across Europe. This is a significant advantage for our customers who can now enjoy all Adriatic ports, shorter transit times, and lower transport costs.

What potential does the Adriatic Sea have for intermodal transport?

The Adriatic Sea has great potential for intermodal transport due to its location and connectivity with important economic regions such as Southeast and Central Europe. With its deep-water ports and favorable geographical position, the Adriatic Sea represents a good alternative. Over the years, we have established the Adriatic Gateway. At Metrans, we have already utilized this potential in Koper, which serves as a gateway to the Adriatic Sea, and now also in Rijeka through Adria Rail. Strategic investments in the overall transport infrastructure, especially rail, contribute to the geostrategic and ecological sustainability of certain forms of transport, particularly intermodal.

What is your opinion on the transport potential of Croatia, especially in rail transport?

Croatia has a great potential in rail transport as it serves as a hub between Central and Southeast Europe. Croatia’s position on two corridors, the Mediterranean and Rhine-Danube, the main transport networks, provides significant potential. However, there is still a need for improvement, especially in the development of rail infrastructure.

The state has made progress in recent years, and we are optimistic about the potential of the Rijeka rail project that will connect the Port of Rijeka with the Central European market, as well as the broader rail network in Southeast Europe. The works on the Rijeka Brajdica station and the Brajdica Container Terminal, worth €35.6 million, and on the container terminal of the Zagreb Port (a project worth €31.6 million) show that the Croatian government considers the Port of Rijeka extremely important.

What steps do you plan to take to reduce the company’s carbon footprint and help achieve global climate goals?

As a railway and intermodal company, we have a responsibility to reduce our carbon footprint and help achieve global climate goals. We want to achieve this through various measures, such as investing in new, more efficient locomotives and wagons, using renewable energy sources, and promoting intermodal transport.

We have also launched our HHLA Pure project, which offers climate-neutral transport between ports and the hinterland. We have a lot of work ahead of us to demonstrate a successful product, and we need greater support from our customers and policymakers to start broader implementation. Last year, we transported nearly one million TEUs with HHLA Pure.

The rail network is still not able to compete with roads. What changes can network operators in Europe make to improve the competitiveness of the rail network?

Network operators play a key role in improving the competitiveness of railways. They must ensure that all transport companies have the opportunity to effectively use the railway, and that on the best routes without detours. They also need to align priorities, if not prioritize freight transport over passenger transport.

In addition, we need to find solutions for the current capacity shortage and rising costs in continental transport. Furthermore, more investment in infrastructure is needed, especially in the development of intermodal terminals and the modernization of rail networks. By working together, we can create conditions that will allow rail transport to advance and become the preferred mode of freight transport. There are no easy solutions, but we must find ways to improve the competitiveness of the rail network together.

It is also necessary to modernize and electrify railway lines and improve connectivity between different modes of transport. Governments can offer financial support and incentives for investments in railway infrastructure. Moreover, the regulatory framework should be more favorable to rail transport, as creating regulations that subsidize rail routes and support combined transport will benefit all companies. Ultimately, the rail network must be reliable, efficient, and flexible to meet the growing demand for rail transport.

The costs of combined transport must be attractive enough for companies to switch to rail transport. How can road transport costs be adjusted to make rail transport more appealing?

Road transport costs must reflect the real impact of harmful emissions on the environment, as well as other external impacts. If road transport costs are adjusted accordingly, rail transport will become more attractive. In Germany, there is extensive discussion about switching to rail transport, but without free capacity for new products, the rail network is still not able to compete with roads. To make rail transport more attractive, we need to create more capacity for rail products, which can be achieved by investing in railway infrastructure.

Who do you think should drive the change towards climate-friendly transport?

I believe that the responsibility for driving change towards climate-friendly transport lies with everyone. Governments need to create the right regulatory framework and provide financial incentives for sustainable transport, companies need to invest in new technologies and adopt sustainable practices in their operations, and individuals should make responsible choices such as using public transport, cycling, or walking instead of driving.