PKP Cargo is a company of significant importance from the perspective of Polish national interests. While it is not a state-owned company, PKP Cargo is a private enterprise. Although PKP SA, a state treasury company, holds 33% of the shares, 67% of shares belong to private investors, open pension funds (OFE), and investment funds. This means that the shareholders of PKP Cargo are 15 million Poles who are members of OFE — not the Polish state itself. Therefore, in such a company, economics and shareholder interests should prevail, not politics or trade unions.
“Of course, the Polish state should maintain its defense capabilities, but it does not need such a large company that transports everything and is the second-largest logistics and rail operator in Europe to carry military vehicles or supplies,” said Dr. Marcin Wojewódka, Acting President of PKP Cargo during restructuring, in an interview with eNewsroom.pl at EFNI 2024. “Currently, PKP Cargo is the only company in Poland capable of performing these tasks. However, the company requires deep restructuring. It is important for shareholders to own a company that is healthy, modern, and profitable, and which delivers added value by paying dividends. This is, after all, the purpose of a commercial law company. Naturally, strategic missions or other tasks should be carried out — but someone must pay for them.”
“In the future, there will not be as much demand for mass transport as there has been over the past few decades. We will, of course, continue to transport aggregates, but these shipments will gradually decrease because most highways have already been built. The construction of new railway lines will not last indefinitely either. We need to clearly outline how to adapt our company to meet the challenges of the future,” Dr. Wojewódka emphasized.
Source: managerplus.pl
