PKP Cargo set to expand into southeastern Europe

A press release from PKP Cargo announced that the Czech rail transport regulator has allowed the ST44 diesel locomotives to operate on the Czech rail network. Pesa in Bydgoszcz has updated the Lugansk-built ST44 locomotives for Czech standards. PKP Cargo is now able to operate a couple of diesel and eletric locomotives, including the multi-systemn EuroSprinter. This is important as the Czech Republic has a dual electric system, with a 3,000 volt direct current system in the north and a 25,000 volt alternating current system in the south. Also, the country has one of the denses rail networks in this part of Europe. This opens the doors to a possible takeover by PKP Cargo of the Czech transporter Advanced World Transport. No decision has been made, but PKP Cargo has undertaken due diligence to identify the company's standing. A decision regarding the potential acquisition will be made around the end of October or the beginning of November. An expansion in this direction would open the doors for PKP Cargo to operate in the Balkans, according to a Forsal.pl article.