Cargoes of the mining and metallurgical complex (iron ore, ferrous metals, coal, coke and limestone for fluxing) account for an average of 47% of the total volume of “Ukrzaliznytsia” transportation. The total volume of GMK transportation in 2025 decreased by 53% compared to 2021 – to 76.8 million tons from 163.3 million tons.

Last year, the volume of GMK transportation decreased by 4.6% y/y or by 3.7 million tons – to 76.5 million tons. In January-March 2026, the indicator decreased by 14.7% y/y or by 2.6 million tons – to 15.3 million tons. The main factor is the critical drop in iron ore exports by 2.6 million tons (-31% y/y).

The dynamics of transportation of products and raw materials for GMK were as follows:

Iron and manganese ore. The total volume of transportation in 2025 decreased by 45% compared to 2021 – to 42.8 million tons from 77.6 million tons. Export transportation decreased by 30% to 31.2 million tons. According to the results of the first quarter of the current year, the total volume of transportation decreased by 24.2% y/y to 8.2 million tons due to the drop in exports.

Ferrous metals. The total volume of transportation last year compared to the pre-war 2021 fell by 55% – to 9.7 million tons from 21.7 million tons. Export transportation decreased by 63% to 5.8 million tons. In January-March of the current year, there was an increase in the overall indicator by 6.5% y/y or by 121.3 thousand tons – to 2 million tons. It was recorded in all directions: export (65.3 thousand tons), transit (43.8 thousand tons) and domestic transportation (17 thousand tons).

Coal. The total volume of transportation in 2025 decreased by 62% to 19.3 million tons compared to 2021. According to the results of the first quarter, the indicator decreased by 4.2% y/y or by 178 thousand tons to 4 million tons.

Coke. The total volume of transportation last year compared to 2021 fell by 66% to 1.7 million tons. At the same time, import transportation over the same period decreased by only 16% to 726 thousand tons. Due to the loss of mines for coking coal extraction, Ukrainian metallurgists are forced to import this raw material and coke directly. In January-March of the current year, the indicator decreased by 2.3% y/y to 0.4 million tons.

Limestone. The total volume of transportation in 2025 decreased by 67% compared to 2021 – to 2.9 million tons. In the first quarter of 2026, the indicator increased by 12% y/y (60 thousand tons).

In the structure of transportation in the first quarter, the largest share is occupied by: pig iron – 24%, steel billet – 19%, rails – 6%, pipes and ferroalloys – 1% each. The main share of transportation (49%) is formed by other types of rolled metal products.

Reference source: http://surl.li/hjoperwsbnm