Growing Interest in Rail Transportation: Conference “Rail Freight Transport: Perspectives and Solutions” Attracts Nearly 200 Participants in Belgrade
From raw materials to finished products, railways play a key and indispensable role in modern logistics operations, as concluded at the inaugural international conference “Rail Freight Transport: Perspectives and Solutions”, held on October 31 in Belgrade.
Organized by PlutonLogistics, the event brought together representatives from railway and logistics operators, intermodal terminals, ports, cargo owners, and both government and academic institutions. The conference attracted nearly 200 participants from over ten European countries, underscoring the significant interest in rail freight transport.
In 2023, Serbia’s railway network registered approximately 6.5 million train kilometers, translating to nearly 3 billion net ton-kilometers.
Rail infrastructure and freight transport have long been essential to industrial and economic growth of any country, as well as to regional and European integration. While this sector has seen insufficient attention over recent decades and remains underrepresented in overall freight transport, substantial changes are anticipated through the expansion and modernization of rail infrastructure and the strengthening of both national and private rail carriers, said Professor Dr. Milorad Kilibarda, Dean of the Faculty of Transport in Belgrade.
– Perspectives and solutions of rail freight transport lie in intermodal transport and integrated logistics services. Today, container train rail lines linking regional seaports with intermodal terminals dominate Serbia’s rail landscape. Currently, over 50% of container flows are managed by rail, and we expect this share to reach 70-80%, Professor Kilibarda noted in his opening remarks.
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Assistant Ministers Miroslav Alempić and Anita Dimoski addressed the conference on behalf of the Ministry of Construction, Transport, and Infrastructure.
– I am confident that rail freight transport will continue to grow and that Serbia will strengthen its role as a regional leader in this field, said Alempić.
He also highlighted border-related challenges, noting that Serbia is undertaking a World Bank-supported electronic data exchange project aimed at accelerating data transfer, enhancing operator communication, and reducing administrative barriers.
Anita Dimoski, Acting Assistant Minister for Railway and Intermodal Transport, welcomed the audience and emphasized the importance of communication across all areas, including rail, highlighting the value of events like “Rail Freight Transport: Perspectives and Solutions.”
Matej Zakonjšek, Director of the Transport Community, stressed the critical role of rail as a sustainable alternative to road transport in the European transport sector. The European Union aims to double rail’s share in transport by 2030 as part of its broader strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote sustainable transport, he added.
– When it comes to the Western Balkans, especially Serbia, we see three key priorities: securing an adequate budget for rail infrastructure maintenance, continuing the adoption and implementation of EU legislation, and, most importantly, developing a well-trained workforce for this growing sector, Zakonjšek emphasized.
Speakers also focused on the synergy and connections between railways, ports, and terminals, the strategic importance of large infrastructure projects, workforce training, and regional connectivity.
Participants gained insights into key rail routes to China and Europe, CO₂ savings through rail use, intermodal solutions for Serbia’s imports and exports, and upcoming investments by both public and private terminal operators. The event also featured exclusive news, including a premiere presentation of the first train’s arrival at the intermodal terminal in Batajnica, along with development plans for this hub.
Marija Kambić, Director of Pluton Media, emphasized the impressive turnout, which exceeded all expectations, illustrating the high level of interest in rail freight transport and the critical role of networking within the business community.
– The ‘Rail Freight Transport: Perspectives and Solutions’ conference was not only an opportunity to address key issues but also to connect all logistics chain players working together to increase freight volumes on Serbian railways. I’m pleased to announce that we will be hosting the second edition of this highly successful event next year.
Supported by sponsors including MBOX Terminals, METRANS, DB Cargo, Adria Kombi, cargo-partner, duisport, Kombiverkehr, Danubia Group, and the association Srbijatransport, the conference also drew support from media partners Biznis.rs, Sve o novcu, scm.hr, and supply-chain.gr, along with partners such as the Novi Sad Commodity Exchange, Serbian Logistics Centers, and the Serbian Supply Chain Professionals’ Association.
Organized by PlutonLogistics, a regional media platform that has been gathering experts in the field of transport, logistics, supply chain, and trade since 2013, is part of the PlutonMedia LLC. The event took place at the Radisson Collection Old Mill Hotel.
Celebrating a Milestone in Serbian Railway History
The first international “Rail Freight Transport: Perspectives and Solutions” conference coincided with a significant milestone, marking the 140th anniversary of railway development in Serbia. In 1884, the Belgrade-Niš railway line was inaugurated, setting Serbian rail on a path of sustained growth.
