Perspectives and problems of intermodal freight transportation market development in Poland

The intermodal transport segment is a transport market of enormous opportunities. Fast economic development and the related change in transport needs influences the dynamic increase of demand for transport services in combined system, including the use of rail transportation. The transit geographic situation of our country as the eastern European Union border and situation of Polish sea harbours on the north south in the Eastern European Transport Corridor are additional assets. Despite many assets and growth dynamics of the intermodal transport, their share in general transport volume has still been marginal. The intermodal transport segment in Poland requires sustainable development by means of investment outlays as well, e.g. in container terminal, logistic centres and rolling stock, and furthermore efficient support schemes of at least over a decade horizon. Operation of relevant quality line infrastructure of rail transport and nodal infrastructure indispensable for units handling at the junction of road and rail transport makes up a condition for the intermodal transport development. From the cargo rail transport point of view, provision of relevant rail corridors capacity and ensuring satisfactory speed of freight trains are most important.