In 2021 rail carriers transported 26.5 m tonnes of goods. The weight of goods in intermodal transport increased by 2.7 m tonnes (+11.6%). The transport performance in 2021 amounted to 8.2 bn tonne-km and increased by approximately 0.4 bn tonne-km compared to 2020 (+4.4%).
In 2021 rail carriers transported a record-breaking number of units. For the first time in history, almost 1.8 m units were transported. The intermodal transport market reached 1,778 thous. units, of which 1,690 thous. were containers. When compared to 2020, the number of units transported increased by 6.9%.
Containers accounted for 95% of the total number of units at the end of 2021. As in previous years, most of these were 20- and 40-foot units, accounting for 33.9% and 56.7% of the total number of units respectively. For the first time the number of 40-foot containers transported exceeded 1 m units. The share of other containers was: 25-foot - 0.1%, 30-foot - 1.6%, 35-foot - 0.03% and 45-foot - 2.7%. Semi-trailers and truck trailers accounted for 2.6% of the units used, and swap bodies for 1.8%. Trucks and tractor-trailers were only a small percentage (0.001%) in 2021.
Intermodal transport market has proven to be the least vulnerable to pandemic constraints. Rail carriers have been able to adapt to the changing conditions of the market. Intermodal transport is growing year on year, but requires the support of all market stakeholders. For shippers and consignees three main variables influence their choice of a mode of transport: time, cost and access to loading/unloading facilities. These three factors are key to supply chain optimisation - notes Ignacy Góra, President of the Office of Rail Transport.
In 2021 the share of weight carried by intermodal transport in total cargo weight reached 10.9%. By comparison, in 2020 this share was 10.7%, while in 2019 it was 8.3%.
Detailed intermodal transport data can be found on our statistical portal at https://dane.utk.gov.pl/sts/transport-intermodalny
The Office of Rail Transport prepared a report on intermodal transport in 2021.