OSJD Work

Joint Meeting of Plenipotentiary Representatives of the Members of the OSJD Ministerial Conference and the Conference of General Directors (Authorised Representatives) of OSJD Railways

(press-release)

The Joint Meeting, held in the OSJD Committee (Warsaw) from 30 November till 3 December 2021 with the use of a videoconferencing format, was attended by the Plenipotentiary Representatives of the Members of the OSJD Ministerial Conference and/or the Plenipotentiary Representatives of the members of the Conference of General Directors (Authorised Representatives) of OSJD Railways from:

OSJD member countries – Republic of Azerbaijan, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Republic of Belarus, Republic of Bulgaria, Hungary, Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Georgia, Republic of Kazakhstan, People’s Republic of China, Republic of Korea, Republic of Latvia, Republic of Lithuania, Republic of Moldova, Mongolia, Republic of Poland, Russian Federation, Romania, Slovak Republic, Republic of Tajikistan, Republic of Uzbekistan, Ukraine, Czech Republic, Republic of Estonia;

OSJD affiliated enterprises – Beijing Jiaotong University (China), Southwest Jiaotong University (China), SIGIS LLC (Latvia), United Transport and Logistics Company - Eurasian Railway Alliance JSC (UTLC ERA), Eurosib SPb-TS JSC (Russian Federation), Post of Russian JSC (Russian Federation), TransContainer PJSC (Russian Federation), Betamont LLC (Slovakia), PLASKE JSC (Ukraine);

international organisations – the International Association “Coordinating Council for Trans-Eurasian Transportation” (CCTT), the International Union of Railways (UIC); as well as members and employees of the OSJD Committee.

The meeting was opened and chaired by Chairman of the OSJD Committee Mr. Mirosław Antonowicz, who welcomed the participants of the meeting and expressed gratitude for their active participation in the joint work on the implementation of the developed plans and for the support in holding meetings in these difficult conditions of the pandemic.

The meeting considered and discussed the materials developed by the OSJD working bodies, as well as the OSJD Committee, and sent by the OSJD Committee to the state executive authorities in charge of railway transport and the OSJD railways.

As a result of the discussion, the Work Plans of the OSJD working bodies for 2022 and the Work Schedule of OSJD Events for 2022 were agreed and approved with latter being posted on the OSJD website and being published in the ‘OSJD Bulletin’ journal.

The meeting decided that if face-to-face meetings are not possible due to the restrictions to prevent the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, they will be held in 2022 in a videoconferencing mode until these restrictions are cancelled.

Taking into account the dynamic growth of freight traffic on the Asia-Europe and Europe-Asia routes, the OSJD members noted the importance of studying the feasibility of creating coordination mechanisms for the development of OSJD railway corridors in order to increase the competitiveness of railway transport and ensure unhindered and sustainable international transportation, including combined traffic.

The delegation of the Russian Federation suggested starting this work from the OSJD railway transport corridor No. 1 as a pilot project.

The Russian Railways OJSC and the Ukrainian Railway JSC proposed to transfer the case administration under the Agreement on Organisational and Operational Aspects of Combined Transportation in Europe-Asia Traffic to the OSJD Commission on Transport Policy and Development Strategy. This proposal was agreed upon and will be submitted for consideration by CGD meeting XXXVII and anniversary session L of the OSJD Ministerial Conference for the adoption of an appropriate decision.

The Joint Meeting of Plenipotentiaries also proposed to add the provisional agenda of anniversary session L of the OSJD Ministerial Conference with a new item “On cooperation with OTIF”, for which preliminary consultative meetings with the OTIF Secretariat will be held to expand the scope of cooperation and determine the goals, objectives, etc.

When considering the issue of resuming the work of the International Conference for the Adoption of the Text of the Convention on Direct International Railway Traffic, it was stated that at this stage the resumption of the work of the Conference in May 2022 is premature, but at the same time the OSJD Committee will monitor the development of the epidemiological situation in order to convene session VII of the Conference.

As regards the holding of CGD meeting XXXVII in April 2022 in Ukraine as a face-to- face event, some concern was expressed that due to the ongoing pandemic, holding in such a format may not be possible, in connection with which the proposal of the UZ was agreed that in January 2022 the OSJD Committee will conduct a survey on the approval of the intramural participation of OSJD railway delegations in the CGD meeting, on the basis of which a final decision will be taken.

On 19-22 October 2021, the OSJD Committee, Warsaw, hosted a hybrid face-to-face/online annual meeting of the OSJD Commission on Transport Policy and Development Strategy.

The meeting was attended by representatives of the following OSJD member countries: the Republic of Azerbaijan, Republic of Belarus, Republic of Bulgaria, Hungary, Georgia, Republic of Kazakhstan, People’s Republic of China, Kyrgyz Republic, Republic of Latvia, Republic of Lithuania, Republic of Moldova, Mongolia, Republic of Poland, Russian Federation, Romania, Republic of Slovakia, Republic of Estonia. Attending the meeting were also the representatives of the OSJD affiliated enterprise Metrans Group, and the international organisations – Eurasian Economic Commission, International Coordinating Council on Trans-Eurasian Transportation, International Association Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, as well as the OSJD Committee.

The following agenda items were under consideration:

- Monitoring the implementation statuses of the Comprehensive Plans for the Improvement of Transport Operations and Development of OSJD Railway Transport Corridors Nos. 1-13 until 2020;

- Progress in drafting the new Comprehensive Plans for the improvement of transport operations and development of OSJD Railway Transport Corridors Nos. 1-13 until 2030;

- Status of updating the Technical and Operational Passports of OSJD Railway Transport Corridors Nos. 1-13;

- Information exchange on the actions taken to implement the provisions of Memoranda of Cooperation on technical, operational, and commercial development of OSJD Railway Transport Corridors Nos. 1-13;

- Proposals of OSJD member countries on adding new lines to OSJD transport corridors;

- Analyses of reasons in delays of passenger and freight trains at border (transfer) stations in 2020, and development of measures to facilitate border crossing;

- Progress of implementation of the Declaration adopted by the VIII International Interagency Meeting “Practices of Border Crossing in Railway Transport” held in Gdańsk, Poland, on 22-23 September 2015;

- Progress of work on the practical application of Annex 9 “Facilitation of border crossing in international rail transport” to the 1982 International Convention on the Harmonisation of Frontier Controls of Goods”;

- Outcomes of the IX International Interagency Meeting “Practices of Border Crossing in Railway Transport”;

- Progress of the study of options for strategic development of railway transport in OSJD member countries;

- Experience and outcome of railway trans- port reforms in OSJD member countries, and posting the information on the OSJD website;

- Progress made by the OSJD/ERA contact group on interoperability of the 1520 mm and 1435 mm track gauge railway systems;

- Outcomes of the Round Table meeting on the results and plans of railway transport reforms undertaken in OSJD member countries;

- Progress of improvement and preparation for publication of the “OSJD Bulletin of Statistical Data on Railway Transport for 2020”;

- Key performance indicators of OSJD Railway Transport Corridors Nos. 1-13 of 2020;

- Proposals concerning review and approval of draft OSJD Leaflet R 305/1 “OSJD Glossary”;

- Results achieved in the maintenance and replenishing of the OSJD’s Automated Distributed Databank of Scientific, Technical and Economic Information on Railway Transport (OSJD STEI ADB); and results achieved in the building up and application of resources afforded by Scientific, Technical and Economic Information Centers;

- Status of work on the compilation and use of topical bibliographies;

- Results achieved in the development and management of the OSJD websites’ page dedicated to Scientific, Technical and Economic Information Centers;

- Progress in updating the electronic version of the Directory of Scientific, Technical and Economic Information Centers.

The meeting discussed and agreed the results achieved by the OSJD Commission on Transport Policy and Development Strategy in 2021, as well as the draft Work Plan of the Commission for 2022 and the draft OSJD Work Programme for 2023 and beyond in the field of transport policy and development strategy.

The meeting also approved a draft Report on the work progress of the OSJD Commission on Transport Policy and Development Strategy for 2021.

Basing on the data received from the OSJD member countries, the Commission’s working staff had prepared draft Comprehensive Plans for the improvement of transport operations and development of OSJD Railway Transport Corridors Nos. 1-13 until 2030, and updated the draft Technical and Operational Passports (TOPs) of OSJD Railway Transport Corridors Nos. 1-13. As updated TOPs become available, the OSJD corridor diagrams – which are parts of the TOPs – will be updated following the completion of the required procedures associated with the addition of new lines.

The participants in the meeting of the Commission requested the OSJD Committee to make corresponding supplements to the Map of OSJD Railway Transport Corridors of 2009 to reflect the current Memoranda, and publish the updated Map.

The value was confirmed of a continued exchange of information on steps taken to implement the provisions of the Memoranda of Cooperation in the area of technical, operational, and commercial development of OSJD Railway Transport Corridors Nos. 1-13.

To reflect the addition of the new lines proposed by Turkmenistan, the Memorandum on OSJD corridor No. 10 was resigned and took on 2 September 2021.

In pursuance of the assignment given by the OSJD Ministerial Conference, the benefits of setting up a mechanism for the management (coordination) of OSJD transport corridors Nos. 1-13 were discussed.

Having reviewed the statement of the delegation of the Republic of Kazakhstan about the need to provide correct information on renamed freight stations on the operational lines mentioned in the Memoranda, TOPs, and Comprehensive Plans for the Improvement of Transport Operations and Development of OSJD Railway Transport Corridors, the staff of the Commission clarified that such information submitted by countries participating in the OSJD railway transport corridors had the nature of a notification since it entailed no changes in or additions to the operational lines or segments indicated in the Memoranda.

On 25 January 2021, the OSJD Committee, Warsaw, hosted as an online videoconference a meeting of experts from the following countries participating in OSJD railway transport corridor No. 9: the Republic of Belarus, Republic of Lithuania, and the Russian Federation, with Ukraine attending as an invited party. The purpose of the meeting was to address the issue of additions to OSJD railway transport corridor No. 9, in particular adding to the corridor the railway line segments Minsk – Zhlobin – Kalinkovichi – Slovechno – Berezhest – Ovruch – Korosten – Zhitomir – Berdichev to Odessa, and the segments Minsk – St. Petersburg/Ust-Luga.

At the 10-12 March 2021 meeting of experts on the subject “Developing and implementation of measures to improve transport operations and develop OSJD transport corridors”, the Ukrainian delegation made a proposal to the delegation of the Republic of Poland to hold consultations (a meeting) on possible extension of OSJD railway transport corridor No. 7 after new countries join the corridor. The date for such a meeting will be agreed additionally between the two countries.

The Republic of Estonia proposed that the countries participating in OSJD railway transport corridor No. 2, i.e. Russia, Kazakhstan, China, and Vietnam, consider and support the extension of International Railway Transport Corridor No. 2 from Moscow to Tallinn by adding to it the route Tallinn – Tapa – Pechory – Moscow, since that route was one of the optimal ones to connect Estonia and China to serve the Scandinavian transit.

The Russian Federation, People’s Republic of China, and Republic of Kazakhstan reviewed the proposal of the Republic of Estonia and supported the addition of the line to the corridor.

No objection was received from the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. Therefore, the countries participating in International Railway Transport Corridor No. 2 requested the OSJD Committee to draft a Memorandum on OSJD corridor No. 2 for resigning, and incorporate the decision into the updated TOP and the Comprehensive Plan of Development of OSJD railway transport corridor No. 2.

The Estonian delegation accepted the proposal of the Russian Federation about extending Branch 1(b) of International Railway Transport Corridor No. 1 to add the Tapa-Tallinn segment.

The delegation of the Republic of Kazakhstan upheld the proposal to add the segment to Branch 1(b) of International Railway Transport Corridor No. 1.

The delegation of the Republic of Azerbaijan provided information about the 17 March 2021 meeting of representatives of AZD CJSC, GR, and OK TCDD Transport, and about the signing of a Memorandum aimed at promoting the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars route, which included reaching agreement on the temporary addition of the railway line Tbilisi, Georgia – Akhalkalaki, Georgia – Kars, Turkey to OSJD railway corridors Nos. 5 and 10 for the duration of the segment’s trial operation, to be followed by the permanent addition to the corridors in line with the OSJD official procedures.

On its part, the delegation of Georgia expressed its interest in adding the railway segment Tbilisi – Marabda – Akhalkalaki – Kartsakhi (state border between Georgia and Turkey), which is part of the Azerbaijan – Georgia – Turkey railway line, to OSJD railway corridors Nos. 5 and 10. In view of the great importance of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars project, the segment together with the existing segment in the territory of Georgia should be fully integrated into OSJD corridors Nos. 5 and 10.

Even though the Marabda – Kartsakhi (Georgia’s state border) segment is still in the phase of upgrading/construction and therefore has not been commissioned in commercial operation and is functioning in a test mode, the segment is already regarded as an important link in the traffic between Europe and Asia.

The Georgian delegation requested the countries participating in OSJD corridors Nos. 5 and 10 to consider integrating the segment into OSJD corridors Nos. 5 and 10, preferably in sync with the addition of the Turkish state border – Kars segment.

The delegation of the Republic of Azerbaijan asked all participants in OSJD international transport corridors Nos. 5 and 10 to approve the addition of the railway line Akhalkalaki (Georgia) – Kars (Republic of Turkey) to said OSJD railway transport corridors, thus expressing Azerbaijan’s consent to temporarily adding the railway line Tbilisi, Georgia – Akhalkalaki, Georgia – Kars, Turkey to said corridors for the period of its trial operation, to be followed by full integration into the corridors in conformance with the OSJD procedure.

As a result of a review of factors causing delays of passenger and freight trains at border (transfer) stations in 2020, and also as a result of the work to develop measures facilitating border crossing, the Commission’s staff had prepared a summary of the materials submitted by OSJD member countries.

Based on the proposals received from OSJD member countries, draft tabular forms (templates) were discussed and approved:

- Performance report on the adherence to the schedule of passenger train traffic through border stations,

- Summary performance report on the adherence to the schedule of traffic through border stations by all trains,

- Report on the number of delays (cases of uncoupling) of freight wagons at border or transfer stations.

On 21-22 September 2021, the city of Gdańsk, Poland, hosted the IX International

Interagency Meeting on the subject “Practices of Border Crossing in Railway Transport” as a hybrid face-to-face/online videoconference event.

At the meeting, a fruitful discussion unfolded based on reports and presentations in which the participants shared their best practices in facilitating border crossing procedures in the traffic between Europe and Asia, and discussed currently existing bottlenecks in the international railway traffic and ways to eliminate them.

Participants in the Meeting agreed to study the best practices in facilitating border crossing in the context of new strategies and approaches brought about by the COVID-2019 pandemic, and to make better use of the existing memorandums, agreements, conventions, and recommendations of UNECE, UNESCAP, OSJD, OTIF, and CIT addressing the border crossing issues.

As a result of the Meeting, the participant drafted and adopted the outcome document “Recommendations of the IX International Interagency Meeting on the subject ‘Practices of Border Crossing in Railway Transport’.” Detailed information about the Meeting had been published in OSJD Bulletin, issue No. 4-5-2021, pp. 48-51.

The OSJD member countries provided a meeting of experts on the subject “Strategic lines of railway transport development in OSJD member countries” with the information that would be included in a reference publication on the ongoing structural reforms of railway transport in OSJD member countries. The publication is scheduled to be issued in 2022.

In 2021, four meetings were held on the subject “Results achieved by the OSJD/ERA Contact Group on the interoperability of 1520-mm and 1435-mm track gauge railway systems.” At the meetings, the following work had been done:

- an analysis of defining parameters for the preservation of technical and operational compatibility in the subsystem Technical Specification for Interoperability Relating to Telematics Applications for Freight (TAF TSI);

- updating the parameter analysis in the “Energy” subsystem (the updating works on the subsystem had been completed, with the outcome document published on the OSJD and ERA websites);

- updating the analysis of the subsystems “Locomotives and Multiple Unit Rolling Stock” and “Passenger Coaches”;

- updating the analysis of the subsystem “Infrastructure. Track and track equipment” (the work on the subsystems to be continued in 2022).

The parties involved shared relevant information and best practices in order to coordinate further steps to maintain and improve the existing technical and operational compatibility, and to ensure seamless international railway traffic (to include cross-border traffic as well as safety and security of transport operations).

On 30-31 March 2021, a round table meeting was held as an online videoconference on the subject “Railway transport reforms: outcomes and next steps planned.” Invited to the meeting were representatives of transport ministries, railway and other agencies, OSJD observers and affiliated enterprises, and international organisations. Participants in the round table meeting underscored the need for continued efforts in the topical area, including sharing information on the progress of reforms and lessons learned on a regular basis (once every two years).

Summary materials on “Primary statistical data on railway transport” for 2020 were agreed for publication in the ‘OSJD Bulletin of Statistical Data on Railway Transport for 2020’. It was also decided to include in the Bulletin agreed operational performance indicators for each of OSJD transport corridors Nos. 1-13 in the form of tables and diagrams.

In 2021, the Centers of scientific, technical and economic information (STEI) of OSJD member countries continued their work on setting up and populating national databases of engineering research and economic information. Combined, the databases form an international automated distributed databank, the OSJD ADB.

On 30 December 2020, the size of the international distributed databank of scientific, technical and economic information amounted to 4,196,348 documents, gaining 4% on the 2019 level; the aggregate number of the documents issued from the OSJD ADB amounted to 6,382,530 documents, up 41% on the 2019 level.

The results are evidence of the work performed by the STEI centers to build up and make available the electronic resources, and of the continued interest on the part of the users to information resources offered by the STEI centers of OSJD member countries.

The meeting participants noted the need for annual reviews of the process of replenishing the international distributed OSJD ADB, since such reviews would gauge the dynamics of the IT development in OSJD member countries and the value attached by railway specialists to the engineering research information resource as revealed by how often they use the resource.

At the meeting of experts, the leading duty holder from the Republic of Kazakhstan presented a summary material addressing the operation of technical libraries in OSJD member countries.

Based on the presented data, it could be stated that all railways have functioning technical libraries. Thus, for instance, China had one such library, Ukraine - 51, Moldova - 4, RZD OJSC - 228, Belarus - 7, and KTZ NC JSC - 36.

According to the reported data, the aggregate library stock amounted to 10,459,377 inventory units, with the number of digitised inventory units standing at 1,635,297. Regular readers totalled 791,145 persons.

The automated library information systems (LMS) had been introduced in five countries: China (GDLIS NET VERSION 8.3), Ukraine (ARM DCNTI), Belarus (BIT 2000), Russia and Kazakhstan (Irbis 64).

In pursuance of the decision made by a 1-2 September 2020 online meeting of experts on the subject “Collaboration in the field of scientific, technical and economic information based on modern information technologies,”

the leading duty holders from the Republic of Belarus, Republic of Kazakhstan, and Russian Federation had prepared summary bibliographies on the following subjects:

- Reduction of operating costs: an innovative approach;

- International best practices in the organisation of railway transport operations in the conditions of a pandemic;

- Application of geoinformation technologies to management of railway infrastructure.

The meeting of experts recognised the value of continuing the work, and discussed the subjects to be addressed by the new joint bibliographies. As a result of a discussion, the following subjects were slated for 2020:

1.  Innovative methods and technical solutions in monitoring the health of railway track;

2.  Prudent use of material and fuel/energy resources in rail transport.

Based on the same decision of the meeting of experts, a consolidated list of information resources was built (print and electronic periodicals, databases, transport-related information websites, etc.). The resources are used in the operation of information libraries based on the data provided by the STEI centers of the Republic of Belarus, People’s Republic of China, Republic of Moldova, the Russian Federation, Republic of Slovakia, and Ukraine.

A decision was made to continue in 2022 the work on updating OSJD Leaflet O 905/1 “Methodological guide on the exchange of engineering research and economic information in the transport industry,” and Annex 1 thereto “List of national transport-related journals (publications) processed by the information centers of OSJD member countries and included in the OSJD ADB common databank”. The meeting of experts upheld the proposal made by representatives of the Russian Federation on drafting Annex 2 to the Leaflet to be titled “Catalogue of information resources of the international distributed databank.” Staff of the OSJD Commission on Transport Policy and Development Strategy informed that meeting that the leading duty holder from the Russian Federation had posted an updated version of the Directory of Addresses on the STEI centers’ page of the OSJD website.

Meeting of the representatives of the Parties to the Agreement on the “Rules for Accounting...”

The final meeting of the representatives of the Parties to the Agreement on the “Rules for Accounting International Passenger and Freight Railway Traffic” was held in accordance with the Work Plan of the OSJD Permanent Working Group on Finance and Accounting (PWGF) for 2021 in the format of a video conference.

The meeting was attended by the representatives of 17 Parties to the Agreement on the Rules for Accounting from: AZD CJSC, BC, MAV Co., Rail Cargo Hungária CJSC (RCH, an OSJD affiliated enterprise), GR, “KTZ NC” JSC (KZH), KZD, ZC, “KTZ NC” SE (KRG), LDZ Cargo LLC, LTG, CFM, UBZD JSC, PKP JSC, RZD OJSC, UTI, “Ukrzaliznytsia” JSC (UZ), as well as the OSJD Committee (62 participants in total).

As part of the meeting agenda, the following issues were considered:

- information on the decisions taken at CGD meeting XXXVI;

- progress of mutual accounting payments and repayment of debts (as of 31 July 2021);

- discussion of the status of debts, unsettled issues and information on the measures taken to pay off and settle them;

- consideration of proposals of the Parties to the Agreement concerning supplementing and changing the Agreement and the Rules for Accounting;

- preparation of the draft PWGF Work Plan for 2022 and Work Programme for 2023 and subsequent years, and others.

Basing on the data received as of 31 July 2021, the total amount of debts of the railways of the OSJD member countries increased by 1.06% as compared to the data as of 31 January 2021, and the total amount of debts of the Parties to the Agreement increased by 0.08% as compared to the data as of 31 January 2021.

The Parties to the Agreement have provided their comments and remarks on the debts issues.

The PWGF noted the need to take measures aimed at paying off debts by railways which still had them, and ensuring the Parties to the Agreement on the Rules for Accounting to timely pay for the services rendered.

It should be noted that part of the debts of some railway companies arose due to the imposed international sanctions and problems with correspondent banks in payments to some railways.

During the discussion of the debt status, the Parties to the Agreement provided information on unsolved financial issues and disputes.

The PWGF has notes the presence of a large number of unresolved issues between the railway companies, which have not been resolved bilaterally for a long time. In this regard, the PRGF draw attention to the fact that in 2009, the OSJD established a Commission for the settlement of mutual debts between the Parties to the Agreement on the Rules for Accounting (CMAS – Commission for Mutual Accounting Settlement), which is an additional tool for resolving controversial issues that cannot be settled bilaterally.

The meeting participants discussed the proposals for amending and updating the Rules for Accounting, agreed upon at the PWGF experts meeting (29 June – 1 July 2021), as well as the proposals sent to the OSJD Committee by the Parties to the Agreement. The proposals are aimed at bringing the Rules into compliance with the PGW Agreement, at improving the technology for drawing up and sending accounting documents, at reducing the time for accounting and payments, at a gradual transition to paperless technology and to electronic document management.

The meeting participants discussed 7 groups of proposals. During the discussion, the meeting:

- accepted 5 of the proposed groups of changes,

- decided to keep the current version of clause 2.9 of the Rules for Accounting on one issue,

- on one issue, made a decision to include this issue into the PWGF Work Plan for 2022, taking into account the proposals of BC and UZ to reduce the time for compiling and sending accounting documents, accounting statements and balance sheets.

The meeting participants agreed on the draft PWGF Work Plan for 2022 and the draft Work Programme for 2023 and subsequent years, as well as discussed the procedure for publishing documents related to financial and accounting issues (Agreement on the Rules for Accounting and annexes thereto, Leaflet on the OSJD Specialised Accounting Body, OSJD Information Handbook on Financial and Accounting Issues), on the official OSJD Website.

21^st meeting of the CIV/SMPS Working Group

On 20-21 October 2021, the CIT headquar- ters in the city of Bern (Switzerland) hosted the 21^st meeting of the CIV/SMPS Working Group (CIT) that was held in the format of an online videoconference. The meeting was attended by the representatives of the CIT General Secretariat (CIT GS), OTIF General Secretariat, ÖBB, PKP Intercity JSC, RZD OJSC/FPC JSC, and Ukrzal- iznytsia JSC, as well as the representative of the OSJD Committee as an observer.

Opening the meeting, Mr. Erik Evtimov, CIT Deputy Secretary General, noted the impor- tance of the joint work continued in the field of the CIV/SMPS collaboration in the difficult conditions of the pandemic imposing serious difficulties on the international railway pas- senger traffic.

The Chairmen of the UIC East-West Tariffs Group Mr.

Karl Winkler made a pres- entation on the outcomes of the online meeting of the East-West Tariffs Group held on 5-6 July 2021, and answered questions from the audience.

Representatives of the CIT informed the meeting participants that the most recent time that CIV/SMPS and PRR interactive maps had been updated was Janu- ary 2019. Both maps can be accessed at:

• https://www.cit-rail.org/ de/personenverkehr/civ- smps/
• https://www.cit-rail.org/de/personenverkehr/ gesetzgebung/

The meeting’s attendees elaborated on the routes that were currently operational, and on the changes in international cross-border passenger traffic under CIV/SMPS.

The meeting participants invited the CIT General Secretariat to update the CIV/SMPS and PRR interactive maps in view of the new information, and provide the CIV/SMPS Working Group with the corresponding information at the next meeting in May 2022.

The meeting participants were informed about the progress in the revision of the Passenger Rights Regulation (PRR).

Regulation (EU) 2021/782 on railway passengers’ rights and obligations had been adopted by the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2021, and published in the Official Journal of the European Union on 17 May 2021.

The Regulations was enacted 20 days after the publication, i.e. on 7 June 2021. 24 months later, i.e. on 7 June 2023, it will become effective, with the exception of the requirements to places for bicycles (Article 6, paragraph 4) which will be applied four years after the Regulation’s effective date, i.e. from 7 June 2025.

The CIT General Secretariat is currently working to update CIT products in line with provisions of the new PRR. To this end, a dedicated task force (the PRR Task Force) was set up that meets once a month.

A list of the topics was developed to be pursued by the PRR Task Force. The topics are as follows:

- exceptions,

- transportation of bicycles,

- providing information to passengers,

- access to information on railway traffic and travels,

- availability of tickets and reservations,

- through tickets,

- reimbursement or continued journey in the event of re-routing,

- compensations for delay,

- introduction of the concept of force majeure into the provisions concerning reimbursement,

- assistance services (meals, hotel accommodation, taxi service, etc.),

- providing information to persons with reduced physical capabilities,

- assistance at stations and on trains,

- compensations for replacement transport services, assistance devices and assistance dogs,

- personnel training,

- handling of complaints and providing complaint forms.

The CIT General Secretariat plans to have CIT products updated by the effective date of the PRR 2021/782.

The meeting participants took note of the information and requested the CIT General Secretariat to consider the options for having the PRR translated into Russian.

Since 2019, the CIT GS had been regularly making amendments to the Comparative Table of COTIF/CIV-PRR-SMPS Liability Regimes concerning effective modifications to the SMPS.

The amendments are made based on information prepared in English and Russian by the Specialist of the OSJD Commission on Transport Law.

The CIT GS representative noted that the Comparative Table should be modified in line with the new PRR. The CIT GS plans to have the Comparative Table updated before the 22^nd meeting of the CIV/SMPS Working Group in May 2022. Since the English version of the new PRR is already available, the updates will first be incorporated into the English version of the Comparative Table.

Throughout 2020, the CIV/SMPS Working Group was engaged in the drafting of the Framework Agreement on the “Rendering Cross Border Railway Passenger Services”.

At the 19^th meeting of the CIV/SMPS Working Group held in October 2020, UZ presented its proposals on the drafting of a framework agreement on the Successive Carriage Model in the COTIF/CIV and SMPS areas. The CIV/ SMPS Working Group kindly asked UZ and PKP Intercity to develop a draft of such a framework agreement.

During the 20^th meeting of the CIV/SMPS Working Group in June 2021, the attendees discussed a draft framework agreement on the “Rendering Cross-Border Railway Passenger Services” in the COTIF/CIV and SMPS areas prepared by UZ and PKP Intercity. The meeting participants continued their review of the draft document, made agreed-upon amendments to it, and thanked UZ and PKP Intercity for their work in developing the draft document.

The CIT GS representative informed the meeting that 31 December 2021 was the last date on which tickets with the old CIT 1996/2006 security background could be issued. From 1 January 2022 on, paper tickets can only be issued with the CIT 2012 security background.

The CIV/SMPS Working Group took heed of the information and requested those CIT members that had not started to introduce the CIT 2012 security background to start that work without delay and contact the CIT GS if needed.

Meeting of railway experts on the subject “Systems used for making seat reservations, providing passenger information and other passenger services, and for the preparation of financial accounting documents”

The meeting was organised by the OSJD Committee, Warsaw, as an online videoconference and held on 28-30 September 2021 as required by the Work Plan of the OSJD Commission on Passenger Traffic for 2021.

The meeting attendees represented AZD CJSC, BC, MAV Co., KZH, KORAIL, KRG, LDZ, CFM, UBZD JSC, PKP JSC, RZD OJSC, UTI, UZ, and the OSJD Committee.

The meeting reviewed the following issues:

- upgrades to electronic systems to provide better services, including information services, to passengers; and improvement of passenger traffic management technologies;

- modification of reservation systems to meet the updates to the relevant OSJD/UIC Leaf- lets;

- XML message-based information exchange between reservation systems;

- upgrades to the UZ’s Automated Passenger Transport Control System, the objectives to include, among others, scaling up sales of electronic international travel documents.

The meeting considered the presentations made by BC, RZD OJSC, PKP JSC that addressed the issues of improving electronic reservation systems, providing information and directory service to passengers, and improving passenger transport management technologies.

The Byelorussian Railway updated the participants on the development of its electronic systems used to improve passenger services and provide information to passengers, as well as on the steps taken to upgrade the Byelorussian Railway’s passenger transport management technologies.

The growing share of electronic travel documents in the total sales of both numbered and unnumbered seats was noted.

The Travel Document Online Sales System had been augmented with the functionality of graphic representation of the layout of the units forming the Minsk – Moscow “Lastochka” EMU operated by the FPC JSC. The layouts are available in the Passenger Services section of BC’s official website, and can also be accessed with the BC. My Train mobile application. This functionality can be used to generate graphics representing the layouts of any non-BC coaches except non-standard ones.

The software powering the Express-3 Automated Control System was upgraded to allow electronic check-in with the Automated Passenger Transport Management System for train journeys within the Republic of Belarus. Electronically checked-in electronic travel documents for trains covered by the system may be returned within one hour of the train’s departure from the passenger’s boarding station. Further upgrades to the online travel document sales system are planned in order to expand the electronic check-in functionality to cover international trains.

The BC and PKP experts jointly conducted a set of tests of the interoperability between the Express-3 ACS and EPA-PKP automated systems to ascertain that the systems can issue travel documents to trains:

- Nos. 127/128 and 125/126 Brest – Warsaw,

- Nos. 727/728 and 725/726 Minsk – Brest,

- 303/304 Grodno – Kraków.

Reservations in the EPA-PKP system made out of the set of seats stored in the Express-3 ACS were successful, with PKP experts demonstrating the system’s proper functioning in issuing travel documents.

The Express-3 ACS was updated to allow the system to obtain information on the availability of seats out of the set allocated to the EPA-PKP, and to make reservations of travel documents to the above trains. Additional tests were conducted, as well as verifications of the settlement sheet generation functionality.

Ensuring proper interoperability between the Express-3 ACS and EPA-PKP reservation systems will make possible the next step: opening of electronic ticket sales and electronic check-in.

BC and UZ signed an Agreement on Coordination in the Organisation of Electronic Check-In Procedures for Passengers of International Trains Operating between the Republic of Belarus and Ukraine. The introduction of travel documents supporting electronic check-in will make international passenger transport by rail significantly more attractive after the restrictions imposed in response to the spread of the coronavirus infection are lifted and passenger traffic resumes between the Republic of Belarus and Ukraine.

The RZD OJSC delivered a presentation on the topic “New-generation systems in passenger operations.” The systems are designed to address both the domestic needs of the Russian Federation and the needs of integration into the Express International system. RZD also delivered a second presentation entitled “On new services offered to passengers.” The meeting participants noted the interest among the OSJD representatives to developing and expanding the Express International system with a view to its possible integration with information systems of OSJD member countries.

In order to identify common needs and build effective integrations between information processing systems of OSJD member countries, the RZD OJSC has invited representatives of OSJD member countries to join the efforts led by the Express International Project Office.

In view of the current unfavorable epidemiological situation that includes the discontinuation of international passenger trains (except the traffic between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus that was resumed in February 2021), and in order to attract passengers to domestic trains, the RZD OJSC introduced a number of new services into the Express-3 ACS that were offered to the passengers of FPC JSC’s intercity trains in 2021, as follows:

- new multimodal routes, the launch of new trains, including high-speed ones on the Moscow-Minsk line;

- marketing campaigns aimed to highlight the passenger safety aspect of traveling by rail, new rate-related products such as promo codes and discount cards allowing to buy journeys at a discount;

- new passenger boarding technologies requiring only the passengers’ IDs without the need to produce a travel document;

- extending the line of RZD OJSC’s tourist- oriented products, and the launch of cruise trains.

The PKP JSC delivered a presentation on the subject “PKP Intercity Mobile Application”.

The application is the company’s response to a change of preferences among PKP passengers toward a more frequent use of their smartphones to buy PKP products. The application can be used not only to buy tickets, but also to organise the entire journey. The post-sale processes are also facilitated in the sense that, following a purchase of a ticket, the user can manage it, i.e. change or return it, or change the passenger data in the ticket. For frequent routes, the user can create a journey profile to reduce the time needed to buy a ticket. The application can also be used to order meals during the journey. At the initial stage, the application supports only domestic journeys, with international routes to be added later on.

The KTZ NC JSC (KZH) informed the meeting that a number of steps had been taken to improve the quality and extend the range of services provided to passengers.

The electronic discount card Meyirim had been introduced to passengers with various categories of disability that grants access to privileged travel documents (tickets) to socially important trains at a 50% discount. The discount card is personalised and issued to the passenger at a booking office against documents validating the right to the privilege, so only the rightful card owner can obtain tickets at a discount. The card can be issued to both adults and children, in the latter case, the discount is applied to the child fare. The discount card allows persons with disabilities to purchase privileged railway tickets through all sales channels available, including distance channels that do not require the buyer to leave their home.

The “ladies only” coaches have been put in commercial operation, tickets to which can be issued only to female passengers and male children under the age of seven. The attribute “ladies only” is assigned by the carrier to certain coaches and stays on for the entire route of the journey.

The sex of a passenger is verified at the time of the ticket’s issue.

In response to multiple requests received from passengers, boarding passes for completed journeys have been made available to passengers at the official website bilet.railways.kz, and via the mobile app. If evidence of a journey is needed (business trips, reimbursements, court cases, etc.), owners of electronic tickets can obtain a copy of the boarding pass associated with their tickets after logging in to their personal accounts at any time after their boarding has been recorded by the coach attendant.

The meeting emphasised the importance of continuing those lines of work in order to improve the competitive standing of international passenger railway services.

The meeting discussed a range of issues associated with updating Joint OSJD/UIC Leaflets and applying their provisions to seat reservation systems.

Due to the transition to the OSDM platform as the replacement of the PRI- FIS (an information processing system designed to support tariff data exchange in the UIC’s 108-1 document format) and the introduction of the new OSDM tariff data format, the UIC Passenger Department is preparing a new document (IRS 90918 10) that will define the railway ticket tariff data exchange structure.

The meeting also discussed aspects of information exchange between reservation systems based on XML messages, and emphasised the need to engage a UIC representative to clarify the procedure for the use of the HEROS translator in cases where reservation systems communicate via VPN HERMES using the XML protocol.

The “Ukrzaliznytsia” JSC informed the meeting of the growing popularity of its ticketing service that does not require a visit to the booking office. Over eight months of 2021, electronic channels were used to purchase 72% of the total sales of travel documents.

In 2021, UZ collaborated with Visa and Middleware to launch its first-ever own chatbot in Viber and Telegram that can be used to buy tickets directly from the railway, order meals during a journey, review the timetable, return purchased tickets; get notifications of arrival, delays, track numbers. The chatbot can also be used to buy tickets at adult of child fares, or obtain a privileged electronic travel document available to school and college students. Currently, electronic travel documents for high-speed Intercity+ trains can be issued via the chatbot.

To validate electronic tickets bought via the chatbot, an Android mobile app has been developed that is used to verify electronic travel documents on Intercity+ trains. A tender is in progress to procure Android-based ETD verification devices that would enable the chatbot to issue electronic tickets to all Ukrzaliznytsia trains.

The development of a new application is underway that would enable the user to buy tickets. The app will also afford the convenience of using one’s personal gadget to order train tickets or travel-related services. The application will be available for gadgets running on both Android and iOS.

On domestic lines, travel documents for trains operated by the subsidiary UZSK can cover additional services such as Meat Lunch, Vegetarian Lunch, or Kids’ Lunchbox, with payments for these services accepted both at booking offices and online.

Issue of electronic travel documents has been implemented with regard to all UZ trains and coaches running between Ukraine and Poland based on a bilateral Agreement between UZ and PKP Intercity on the organisation of sales of electronic documents paid for via the Internet.

Currently, international passenger traffic also includes two UZ coaches operated on the Kiev – Budapest – Vienna route, with tickets available at booking offices of UZ, MAV, and ÖBB. On 10 October, the Kiev – Przemyśl international link between Ukraine and Poland was reestablished. The line is served by Hyundai high-speed trains.

Meeting of the OSJD Committee Members No. 4/2021

The regular meeting of the OSJD Committee Members No. 4/2021 was held on 1 October 2021 at the OSJD Committee in Warsaw in a hybrid format.

As part of the agenda, reports on the following events were considered and approved:

- meeting of the AWG of the OSJD Commission on Transport Law on the issue of railway and waterway traffic (22-23 June 2021, in a videoconferencing mode);

- meeting of the AWG of the OSJD Commission on Transport Law on the issues of the document of title (24-25 June 2021, in a videoconferencing mode);

- XXXII meeting of the representatives of the Parties to the Agreement on International Transit Tariff on the subject “improving the Agreement on MTT and updating the MTT Tariff” (29 June – 2 July 2021, in a videoconferencing mode);

- joint OSJD/UIC workshop on financial and accounting issues (29 June 2021, in a videoconferencing mode);

- expert meeting of the OSJD PWG on finance and accounting (29 June – 1 July 2021, in a videoconferencing mode);

- meeting of the CIM/SMGS Group of Experts (1-2 July 2021, in a videoconferencing mode);

- OSJD Training Seminar “Application of the CIM/ SMGS consignment note” (7-8 July 2021, in a videoconferencing mode);

- XIX meeting of the OSJD Ad Hoc Working Group on vocational education/ training in the field of railway transport (13-15 July 2021, in a videoconferencing mode);

- expert meeting of the OSJD Commission on Transport Law on SMGS issues (27-30 July 2021, in a videoconferencing mode);

- meeting of the first group of OSJD railways on the subject “Working out and final approval of passenger trains timetables, trains formation layouts and the provision of coaches in them in international traffic for 2021-2022” (Olomouc, 9-13 August 2021, in a hybrid format);

- expert meeting of the Parties to the Agreement on the use of freight wagons in international traffic (16-17 August 2021, in a videoconferencing mode);

- expert meeting of the OSJD Commission on Transport Law for the development of technical conditions for stowing and securing of goods (17-20 August 2021, in a videoconferencing mode);

- expert meeting of the OSJD Commission on Transport Law in the field of the Rules for the Transportation of Dangerous Goods (24-27 August 2021, in a videoconferencing mode);

- expert meeting of the OSJD Commission on Transport Law on the SMPS issues (31 August – 3 September 2021, in a videoconferencing mode);

- expert meeting of the OSJD Commission on Infrastructure and Rolling Stock on subtopic 2.4 “Reinforced concrete sleepers, beams, turnout switches and their diagnostics” of subject No. 2 “Railway track and engineer structures” (31 August – 1 September 2021, in a videoconferencing mode);

- expert meeting of the OSJD Commission on Infrastructure and Rolling Stock on subject No. 4 “Power supply and power traction equipment” (2-3 September 2021, in a videoconferencing mode);

- expert meeting of the OSJD PWG on Coding and Information Technologies on the subject “Security of Information Resources and Information and Telecommunications Infrastructure” (7-8 September 2021, in a videoconferencing mode);

- expert meeting of the OSJD Commission on Freight Traffic on the subject “Organisation of large-capacity container traffic in international service” (7-10 September 2021, in a videoconferencing mode);

- meeting of the second group of OSJD railways for working out and coordination of timetables, passenger trains formation layouts and the provision of coaches in them in international traffic for 2021-2022” (13-15 September 2021, in a videoconferencing mode);

- 59^th meeting of the OSJD-ERA Contact Group on the subject “Cooperation between OSJD and ERA in the field of the analysis of the relationship between the EU and non-EU railway systems with a track gauge of 1520/1524 mm and 1435 mm” (14-16 September 2021, Valenciennes, France, in a videoconferencing mode);

- 9^th International Interagency Meeting of the OSJD Member Countries “Practice of border crossing by railway transport” (21-22 September 2021, Gdańsk, Poland, in a hybrid format);

- expert meeting of the OSJD Commission on Transport Policy and Development Strategy on the issues of railway transport statistics and the publication of the “OSJD Bulletin of Statistical Data on Railway Transport” for 2020 (21-24 September 2021, in a videoconferencing mode);

- 7^th meeting of the Working Group on the Trans-Asian Railway Network (20-21 May 2021, Bangkok, Thailand, in a videoconferencing mode);

- 98^th UIC General Assembly (8 July 2021, Paris, France, in a videoconferencing mode).

The meeting of the OSJD Committee members considered and agreed, taking into account the proposed amendments and additions, the texts of the draft Memorandum of Cooperation between OSJD and UIC for 2022-2026 and the Programme for Cooperation between OSJD and UIC for 2022-2026.

Also considered was the application of the Far Eastern Shipping Company PJSC (FESCO PJSC) to grant the status of an OSJD affiliated enterprise. It was decided to submit this issue in accordance with the established procedure for the approval by the members of the next CGD meeting XXXVII to be held in April 2021.

In order to develop the structure of the OSJD documents and printed publications that is most consistent with the standards of the OSJD Committee and international practice, the Chairman of the OSJD Committee proposed to amend the structure of the annual report on OSJD activities and reports on the work of the meetings of the OSJD working bodies. These proposals were sent to the members of the OSJD Committee in writing for review and submission of possible proposals and/or comments. The new structure of the annual report on OSJD activities and reports on the work of the meetings of the OSJD working bodies is to be applied in the documents from the beginning of 2022.

In addition to the organisational and technical aspects related to the holding of many meetings in a video conferencing mode (VCM), the issues of countering the spread of coronavirus infection were also considered in order to ensure the sanitary safety of the OSJD Committee employees.

9^th International Interagency Meeting of OSJD Member Countries on the Practices of Border Crossing by Railway Transport

Under the Work Plan of the OSJD Commission on Transport Policy and Development Strategy for 2021, the 9^th International Interagency Meeting of OSJD Member Countries on the Practices of Border Crossing by Railway Transport was organised and conducted by the OSJD Committee in a hybrid format on 21-22 September 2021. The event addressed the topical area “Development of measures aimed to facilitate border crossing in international railway transport operations in Eurasia”, and its face-to-face part took place in Gdańsk, Poland.

The meeting was attended by the representatives of transport ministries, customs and border services, and railway administrations of OSJD members countries: Republic of Azerbaijan, Republic of Belarus, Republic of Bulgaria, Georgia, Republic of Kazakhstan, Republic of Latvia, Republic of Lithuania, Republic of Moldova, Mongolia, Republic of Poland, Russian Federation, Slovak Republic, Republic of Tajikistan, and Republic of Estonia. Also represented were: the OSJD observers – the Federal Passenger Company JSC (FPC) and VR Group (Finnish Railways); the international organisations in the field of railway transport – the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), Eurasian Economic Commission (EAEC), International Rail Transport Committee (CIT), International Coordinating Council on Trans-Eurasian Transportation (CCTT), and the OSJD Committee.

Opening the 9^th International Interagency Meeting, the Chairperson of the Meeting, Ms. Diana Iurkovsky, Specialist of the OSJD Commission on Transport Policy and Development Strategy, underscored the importance and timeliness of the 9^th International Interagency Meeting for further strengthening of sustainable transport connectivity of Europe and Asia in the context of the ongoing pandemic.

In the post-pandemic period, OSJD member countries should be able to build back more efficient logistics chains spanning the entire continent of Eurasia, since further restoration of Eurasian countries’ economies would greatly depend on that ability.

The meeting participants were greeted by Mr. Mikhail Vsevolozhskiy, Deputy Chairman of the OSJD Committee, who delivered a welcome address on behalf of the OSJD Committee’s Chairman Mr. Mirosław Antonowicz. The meeting participants were thanked for their support and cooperation in such a difficult situation that had affected all countries. Mr. Vsevolozhskiy highlighted the importance of all aspects of border crossing since border crossing had a major effect on the overall efficiency of railway transport operations and those in turn impacted the progress and success of trade relations between countries engaged in passenger and freight transport operations, and eventually the financial well-being of such countries. Mr. Vsevolozhskiy expressed his confidence that the experience and best practices in border crossing procedures would be turned into specific recommendations and find a wider application across the industry.

Mr. Andrzej Bittel, Deputy Minister of Infra structure of the Republic of Poland, greeted the participants on behalf of the Polish Ministry of Infrastructure. He emphasised the relevance of the Meeting and the important role of concerted action by government authorities and railway companies in the course of international railway transport operations, and the value of sharing the best practices in border crossing facilitation in the traffic between Europe and Asia.

During the three sessions of the Meeting, the participants made the following presentations, reports, and speeches.

Session 1. Experience of OSJD member countries in facilitating border crossing procedures

- OSJD efforts to facilitate border crossing by rail transport in international freight and passenger traffic, by Ms. Diana Iurkovsky, Specialist of the OSJD Commission on Transport Policy and Development Strategy;

- Experience of the Republic of Bulgaria in facilitating border crossing procedures, by Ms. Daniela Nikolova, Senior Expert, Directorate of Regulations, Railway Administration Executive Agency, the Ministry of Transport, Information Technologies, and Communications of the Republic of Bulgaria;

- Experience of OSJD member countries in facilitating border crossing procedures, by Mr. Igor Leshishin, Head of the Division of International Relations and Relations with Federal and Regional Government Agencies, and Relations with Public Associations, Federal Passenger Company JSC;

- Infrastructure development work performed by the Republic of Poland at border crossings on the border with the Republic of Belarus, Russian Federation, and Ukraine in order to facilitate the crossing of borders, by Mr. Szymon Grygiel, Head of the Division of Strategy and International Affairs, Railway Department, Ministry of Infrastructure of the Republic of Poland;

- Infrastructure and rolling stock in OSJD member countries, Ms. Angelina Shurganova, OSJD Committee member from the Republic of Azerbaijan, Specialist of the OSJD Commission on Infrastructure and Rolling Stock.

Session 2. Actions and programmes in the period of the COVID-19 pandemic: experiences of countries and international organisations

- Actions and programmes in the period of the COVID-19 pandemic: preventive measures, by Mr. Askhat Sarayev, Director of the Department of Occupational and Environmental Safety, “Kazakhstan Temir Zholy National Company” JSC;

- Practice in border crossing by railway transport, by Mr. Cesare Brand, CIT General Secretary.

Session 3. International law as a foundation of customs regulation of foreign trade in OSJD member countries

- Infrastructure, customs procedures, and current challenges, by Mr. Laimis Zhlabis, Head of the Customs Control Organisation Division, Customs Department, Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Lithuania;

- Harmonising Customs Formalities for International Railway Transport – Key Issues and Way Forward, by Mr. Sandeep Raj Jain, Economic Affairs Officer, Transport Connectivity and Logistics Section, Transport Division, UNESCAP.

The meeting participants agreed to study the available experience in various aspects of border crossing in the context of general strategies and approaches during the COVID-19 pandemic, and make a wider use of the existing contracts, agreements, conventions, and recommendations issued by the UNECE, UNESCAP, OSJD, OTIF, and CIT on the topic of border crossing.

As a result of the meeting, the participants developed and adopted an outcome document, Recommendations of the 9^th International Interagency Meeting of OSJD Member Countries on the Practices of Border Crossing by Rail Transport

that emphasised the importance of rail transport for sustained passenger mobility and uninterrupted supply of goods. The documents contains suggestions on further collaboration on various aspects of the border crossing process during the organisation of international railway transport operations between OSJD member countries.

Also underscored was the importance of implementing the previously adopted documents and international agreements that were aimed to improve the efficiency of the transportation process and had been signed both within the OSJD and under the auspices of other international organisations at bilateral or multilateral levels.

The need was noted to continue holding interagency meetings on border crossing procedure facilitation in the future at a frequency of once every two years, since the forum provided a platform where representatives of both state authorities and businesses from different countries could discuss a wide range of issues, bringing their positions closer together and improving the processes involved in international transport operations by rail. It was proposed that the 10th meeting be held in 2023.

The meeting attendees also visited the 14^th International Railway Fair TRAKO-2021 that was running in Gdańsk in parallel with the Interagency Meeting, on 21-24 September 2021.

The dedicated OSJD exhibition stand provided a wealth of information on the activities of the Organisation for Co-Operation between Railways and the Organisation’s 65 years of successful development.

Meeting for the final approval of passenger trains timetables in international traffic of the 1^st group of railways for 2021-2022

(press-release)

On 9-13 August 2021, the city of Olomouc (Czech Republic) hosted the meeting of the 1^st group of OSJD railways for working out and final approval of the passenger trains timetables, formation layouts and the provision of coaches in them in international traffic for 2021-2022, which was held in a hybrid format. The meeting was attended by the representatives of 10 railways, 6 of which – BC, LTG, CFM, PKP, RZD OJSC – took part in an online mode, and 4 – MAV, CFR, ŽSR, CD, as well as the OSJD Committee – in an intramural format.

In accordance with the agenda, the timetables for the movement of international passenger trains, trains formation layouts and the provision of coaches in them in international traffic for 2021-2022 were coordinated and agreed within 12 subgroups.

Opening the meeting, Secretary of the OSJD Committee Attila Kiss informed about the decisions taken at the CGD meeting XXXVI (April 2021). He also noted that within the framework of the UNECE ITC, a Group of Experts on International Railway Passenger Hubs has been established. One of the main issues that the Expert Group will focus on in its work will be the identification of constraints that impede the development of international railway transport in the East-West traffic, and the development of recommendations for their improvement, primarily in relation to railway interchange/ transfer hubs.

Representatives of the RZD OJSC, BC, CD and FPC JSC expressed their interest in maintaining a direct Moscow-Prague service in the 2021/2022 schedule, subject to confirmation of the possibility of two regular and one optional coaches in this service. The PKP Intercity JSC confirmed the possibility of including the third coach into the composition of train No. 130/131 Báthory on a regular basis after carrying out certification tests and obtaining a corresponding permit for traction services with the new Newag Griffin electric locomotives. The RZD OJSC and the FPC JSC proposed to provide in the timetable for 2022/2023 the running of four direct coaches of the FPC formation in the direction of the Czech Republic and Austria.

The resumption of the movement of direct trains Moscow – Prague will become possible after all the necessary agreements have been reached by the participants of the route and the state bodies of the participating states have taken appropriate decisions to lift all restrictive measures imposed on the cross-border traffic.

The “Ukrzaliznytsia” JSC expressed its gratitude to the involved railway administrations for their initiative to restore the international route Ukraine – Hungary – Austria starting from 1 June 2021, which became the first restored international railway route in this direction after the restrictions were imposed due to the pandemic.

The “Ukrzaliznytsia” JSC is extremely interested in the popularisation and disclosure of the advantages of the railway as a stable, comfort- able and safe mode of transport and plans to use 2 new sleeping coaches of the RIC gauge model 61-7034 manufactured by the “Kryukovsky Wagon Building Works” PJSC in order to attract additional passenger volumes traffic on the route Kiev – Budapest – Vienna.

It was preliminarily agreed to conduct test runs in September 2021 for the subsequent receipt of permission for these coaches to run on the Hungarian and Austrian railways. UZ also counts on the preservation of the international traffic with a transfer at the Mukachevo station to trains formed by the Slovak Railways (ŽSR).

The “Ukrzaliznytsia” JSC informed that 2021 was declared the European Year of Railways. This initiative is aimed to further promote and unleash the benefits of the railways as a sustainable, comfortable and safe mode of transport, which is intended to play a central role in the future mobility and sustainability of transport in Europe. The European Year of Railways promotes greater development and accelerated the pace of modernisation of railways in order to facilitate a more popular and reliable alternative to other modes of transport.

In accordance with the chosen vector of development of passenger traffic, the “Ukrzaliznytsia” JSC together with PKP Intercity and PKP PLK in the timetable for 2021/2022 coordinated the running of two pairs of new trains on the route Lvov – Przemysl – Lvov on the 1520-mm tracks, with the provision of an interchange ‘hub’ at the Przemysl station in the direction of Berlin, Prague, Budapest, which is a new stage in the development of passenger traffic between Ukraine and the EU countries.

The meeting participants preliminarily agreed to hold meetings to review and agree on the timetables for passenger trains in international traffic in 2022 in Hungary (May) and Slovakia (August).

Unscheduled meeting of the OSJD Committee members on 17 May 2021

(press-release)

As part of the agenda of this meeting, held in a videoconferencing mode (VCM) due to the pandemic, the reports were considered and approved on the results of the following events:

- consultation meeting on the subject “A study carried out on the terminology of combined, intermodal and multimodal transportation” (26 February 2021, VCM);

- meeting of the AWG of the OSJD Commission on Transport Law on the issues of the document of title (2-3 March 2021, VCM);

- meeting of the AWG of the OSJD Commission on Transport Law on the issues of railway and waterway traffic (4-5 March 2021, VCM);

- expert meeting of the OSJD Commission on Passenger Traffic on the subject “Seat reservation systems, reference and information services for passengers, provision of services and the formation of financial statements” (2-4 March 2021, VCM);

- meeting of the authorised representatives of the Parties to the Agreement on the “Rules for accounting in international passenger and freight railway traffic” (9-12 March 2021, VCM);

- experts meetings of the OSJD Commission on Transport Policy and Development Strategy on the subject “Development and implementation of comprehensive measures to improve transportation and develop OSJD railway transport corridors” (10-12 March 2021, VCM);

- meeting of the OSJD Commission on Freight Traffic on the subject “Coordination of the volumes of goods carried in international traffic” (15-19 March 2021, VCM);

- expert meeting of the OSJD Commission on Transport Law on the SMPS issues (16-18 March 2021, VCM);

- meeting of the OSJD Commission on Freight Traffic on the subjects “Updating the Harmonised Commodity Code (GNG)” and “Updating the list of freight stations of the OSJD railways” (23-26 March 2021, VCM);

- the 57th meeting of the OSJD-ERA Contact Group on the subject “Collaboration between ERA and OSJD on the analysis of the relationship between 1520-mm/1524-mm and 1435-mm rail systems of EU and non-EU states” (23-25 March 2021, VCM);

- expert meeting of PWG CI on the subjects “Coding and Information Technology” and “OSJD Website” (23-24 March 2021, VCM);

- expert meeting of PWG CI on the subjects: “Paperless technology for the transportation of goods in international railway traffic” and “Conducting international financial accounting using paperless technology” (25-26 March 2021, VCM);

- meeting of the AWG of the OSJD Commission on Transport Law on the development of technical regulations for the stowing and securing of goods (30 March – 1 April 2020);

- expert meeting of the OSJD Commission on Freight Traffic on the subject “Organisation of combined transport in international traffic” (6-8 April 2021, VCM);

- expert meeting of the Parties to the Agreement on the use of freight wagons in international traffic (Agreement on PGW) on the issue: “Development of a draft document regulating the procedure for identifying the status of joint-use freight wagons for their accounting” (6-7 April 2021, VCM);

- expert meeting of the Parties to the Agreement on the use of freight wagons in international traffic (PGW) on the issue: “Preparation of proposals to amend the PGW Rules and Annex 17 to PGW” (8-9 April 2021, VCM);

- expert meeting of the OSJD Commission on Infrastructure and Rolling Stock on subject No. 1 “Rolling stock dimensions in international traffic, taking into account the requirements for interoperability” (7-8 April 2021, VCM);

- expert meeting of the OSJD Commission on Transport Law on the SMGS issues (13-15 April 2021, VCM);

- expert meeting of the OSJD Commission on Transport Policy and Development Strategy on the subject “Development of measures aimed at facilitating border crossing in international railway traffic in the Eurasian space” (13-16 April 2021, VCM);

- meeting of the AWG of the OSJD Commission on Transport Policy and Development Strategy on railway transport statistics (9-11 March 2021, VCM);

- Round Table on the subject “Results and plans for reforming railway transport” (30-31 March 2021, VCM);

- expert meeting of the OSJD Commission on Infrastructure and Rolling Stock on subtopic 5.1 “Locomotives” of subject No. 5 “Rolling Stock of Railways. Technical requirements for its elements” (27-29 April 2021, VCM);

- expert meeting of the OSJD Commission on Infrastructure and Rolling Stock on subtopic 2.2 “Consideration of a set of issues related to roadbed and artificial structures” of subject No. 2 “Railway track and engineer structures” (5-7 May 2021, VCM);

- meeting of the Working Group of the Parties to the Agreement on the use of freight wagons in international traffic on the calculation of tariff rates (11-12 May 2021, VCM);

- meeting of the OSJD Commission on Freight Traffic on the subject “Coordination of timetables for freight trains in international traffic” (11-14 May 2021, VCM);

- meeting XVIII of the OSJD Ad Hoc Working Group on vocational education/training in the field of railway transport (2-5 March 2021, VCM);

- meeting of the UNCITRAL expert group on the subject of an international legal document regulating multimodal transport documents of title (2-3 February 2021, VCM);

- the annual meeting of the UIC Steering Committee on NHM/DIUM issues (24-25 February 2021, VCM);

- joint meeting of the RID Committee of Experts and the UNECE Working Party on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (Bern, 15-19 March 2021, VCM);

- second virtual meeting of experts on the legal framework for multimodal transport in Asia and the Pacific (Bangkok, 30-31 March 2021, VCM);

- 97th UIC General Assembly (16 December 2020, Paris, France, VCM).

The following issues were also considered: distribution of tasks arising from the decisions of meeting XXXVI of the Conference of General Directors (Authorised Representatives) of OSJD railways, issues of cooperation with OTIF, the draft “Procurement Regulations of the OSJD Committee”, taking into account the comments and suggestions of OSJD members and a number of aspects of administrative and technical nature.

Working meeting of the OSJD Committee Chairman and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the Republic of Poland

(press-release)

On 9 June 2021, a working meeting was held between Mirosław Antonowicz, OSJD Committee Chairman, and Her Excellency Nargiz Gurbanova, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the Republic of Poland, during which the parties discussed the issues of mutual cooperation. The meeting was held in the city of Warsaw in the premises of the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Republic of Poland.

The OSJD Committee Chairman briefed H.E. Nargiz Gurbanova in detail about the OSJD activities and its executive body – the OSJD Committee, stressing that this year is significant for the Organisation, as it turns its 65 years. He also highly appreciated the contribution of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the expansion of cooperation within the OSJD in the field of railway transport and to the development of transportation both in the East-West and in the North-South directions.

At the meeting, the parties discussed the prospects and steps to be taken to connect the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway line to the OSJD transport corridors.

Inherturn, Nargiz Gurbanova focused on the expansion of relations between Azerbaijan and Poland in recent years in all areas, including in the field of railway transport.

During the meeting, the representative of the Republic of Azerbaijan at the OSJD Committee Angelina Shurganova informed about the transformations and reforms carried out on the Azerbaijani Railways in recent years, as well as about the planned comprehensive measures and the work done for the development of international transport corridors running through the territory of Azerbaijan, for the reconstruction of railway infrastructure, modernisation of rolling stock, improvement of transportation and bettering the quality of customer service. She also drew attention to the fact that, despite the pandemic and related economic difficulties around the world, the volume of freight traffic on the Azerbaijani Railways not only remained at the same level, but also continued to increase thanks to the measures taken by the government of the country and personally by Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, as well as by the AZD CJSC management.

Meeting 2/2021 of the OSJD Committee Members

(press-release)

A regular meeting No. 2/2021 of the OSJD Committee Members was held in Warsaw on 5 March 2021 using the videoconferencing mode.

The following reports were considered and adopted by the meeting of the OSJD Committee Members within the framework of the agenda:

- on the meeting of the OSJD/UIC Joint Working Group related to the revision and migration of the joint OSJD/UIC leaflets into draft international railway solutions (IRS) (16-18 February 2021, videoconferencing mode);

- on participation in the 23rd session of the UNECE ITC Expert Group on Unified Railway Law (13-15 January 2021, Switzerland, Geneva, videoconferencing mode);

- on the meeting of the countries participating in the OSJD railway corridor No. 9: Republic of Belarus, Republic of Lithuania and Russian Federation with the invitation of Ukraine (25 January 2021, OSJD Committee, Warsaw, videoconferencing mode);

- on participation in the meeting of the UIC Working Group on NHM/DIUM (NHM/ DIUM Support Group) (27-28 January 2021, videoconferencing mode);

- on the expert meeting of the OSJD Commission on Transport Policy and Development Strategy on the subject “Directions of the strategic development of railway transport in the OSJD member countries” (OSJD Committee, 16-18 February 2021, videoconferencing mode);

- on the expert meeting of the OSJD Commission on Freight Traffic for the development of a draft document regulating the carriage of containers as part of container trains in international traffic (OSJD Committee, 17-19 February 2021, videoconferencing mode);

- on the webinar on capacity development of the on Road and rail transport agreements in the context of the COVID-19 crisis response (Bangkok, 27-28 January 2021, videoconferencing mode).

The OSJD Committee members also considered the issues related to:

- preparation of meeting XXXVI of the Conference of General Directors (Authorised Representatives) of the OSJD railways and session XLIX of the OSJD Ministerial Conference;

- events to mark the 65^th anniversary of the OSJD foundation;

- changes in the composition of the Editorial Board of the OSJD Bulletin journal;

- an initiative of the Russian Railways OJSC to establish the Best Train international railway award.

The meeting participants were informed that as part of the work carried out to popularise the 65^th anniversary of the OSJD foundation, in issue 1/2021 of the OSJD Bulletin journal, an article prepared by the Chairman of the OSJD Committee dwelling on the key points in the 65-year history of the Organisation was published, appropriate mobile stands were also prepared, information and materials on the significant OSJD anniversary for publication in various specialised transport newspapers and journals publications of the OSJD member countries were dispatched.

The draft content of the booklet/brochure was also approved for publication in the first half of 2021, which will be dedicated to the 65^th OSJD anniversary.

After discussion, the meeting of the OSJD Committee Members coordinated the draft OSJD Committee Budget and the “Report on OSJD Activities for 2020” with their further submission to the OSJD governing bodies for consideration and approval.

ХVIII meeting of Ad Hoc Working Group on vocational training/education in the field of railway transport

Meeting ХVIII of the Ad Hoc Working Group (AWG) on vocational training/education in the field of railway transport took place on 2-5 March 2021 in an online videoconferencing mode. The meeting was attended by members of the AWG from the Georgian Railway JSC (GR), Ministry of Industry and Infrastructural Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan, “Kazakhstan Temir Zholy National Company” JSC (“KTZ NC” JSC), Korea Railroad Corporation (KORAIL), Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation, Russian Railways OJSC (RZD OJSC), O’zbekiston temir yo’llari JSC (UTI), Ukrainian Railway JSC (Ukrzaliznytsia JSC - UZ), Association of Higher Education Institutions of Transport, Beijing Jiaotong University, PLASKE JSC, CTM LLC, Southwest Jiaotong University (Chengdu). Attending as observers (concerned parties) were representatives of Azerbaijani Railways CJSC (AZD CJSC), Hungarian State Railways Co. (MAV Co.), as well as of the OSJD Committee.

The meeting was opened by Secretary of the OSJD Committee Attila Kiss, who noted the impact and the timely nature of the AWG’s efforts aimed at consolidating and augmenting the technical, legal, and economic expertise in the area of railway transport; at raising the professional level and quality of knowledge, qualifications, expertise, and skills of railway personnel in the area of organising railway transport operations, including other modes of transport; at the popularisation and improving the awareness of regulatory and legal requirements contained in OSJD documents and their international significance.

Attila Kiss wished the meeting participants success in their work and discussions on the agenda items.

The meeting was moderated by Polina Chyzh, the AWG Chairperson. She welcomed the meeting participants and addressed her words of gratitude to all delegations attending the meeting.

The meeting agenda comprised the following items:

- progress of drafting OSJD documents related to the functioning of the OSJD Academy;

- sharing best practices in vocational education/ training;

- updating and maintaining of the OSJD information web resource as a means to popularise vocational training/education in railway transport;

- reviewing and finalising the drafts of the AWG’s Work Plan for 2022 and beyond; the AWG’s Report on the Progress of Work for March 2020 – March 2021; resolutions of the OSJD Governing Bodies; and tentative agenda for AWG meeting ХIX.

In the course of discussions of the agenda items, the meeting participants reviewed the draft document “Procedure for the Development and Implementation of an OSJD Model Training Programme”, incorporated the proposed modifications and comments into it, and agreed on the final draft of the document. The meeting participants also agreed on a number of additions to the OSJD Glossary on vocational education/ training in the field of railway transport.

The meeting participants decided to review the following draft documents at AWG meeting ХIX, planned to be held on 13-15 July 2021:

- draft Procedure for approval of training programmes proposed by OSJD-accredited educational and training organisations;

- draft Quality Assurance Procedure for the implementation of OSJD standard training programmes and OSJD-approved training programmes offered by training service suppliers.

The Ukrzaliznytsia JSC and PLASKE JSC, in their capacity of the leading developers of the Quality Assurance Procedure for the implementation of OSJD standard training programmes and OSJD-approved training programmes offered by training service suppliers, requested members of the AWG to submit their comments on and suggestions for the draft document before 8 June 2021.

As a result of their discussions on sharing best practices in vocational education/training, the meeting participants reached a unanimous conclusion that sharing best practices was one of the most important functions of the AWG, since it provided a platform for continuous exchange of knowledge, expertise, and skills between AWG members, which maintains the communication between the members at a high level and allows the use of advanced information technologies to improve the performance and professional qualities of railway personnel of OSJD member countries.

Members of the AWG will step up their efforts to share best practices in vocational training/ education of their personnel, especially after the global situation caused by the coronavirus infection stabilises.

The representative of PLASKE JSC, as the duty holder responsible for the development and maintenance of the OSJD information web resource with regard to the personnel education and training, informed the meeting participants on the work performed to maintain and keep updated the web resource with regard to the popularisation of vocational education/training in railway transport, including transport operations involving other modes of transport.

The OSJD website provides a link to the web portal of the OSJD information internet resource named “OSJD Academy” that can also be accessed at http://osjd.plaske.com/. Currently, the portal is structured into sections that contain the following OSJD materials:

- Statute of the Organisation for Co-Operation between Railways as of 1 November 2020, incorporating all the modifications and additions adopted before that date;

- Regulations of the OSJD Committee incorporating all the modifications and additions adopted before 1 November 2020;

- Regulations of the OSJD AWG on vocational education/training in the field of railway transport, 3^rd edition, incorporating all the modifications and additions adopted before 1 November 2020;

- Statute of the OSJD Academy;

- Procedure for the maintenance of document registers of the Organisation for Cooperation between Railways (OSJD) in the area of vocational education and training.

As further materials are received from AWG members and OSJD Parties on best practices and newly enacted documents governing the operation of the Academy and its administrative processes, the portal will be updated and its structure improved to accommodate the new information.

The meeting agreed a provisional agenda for AWG meeting XIX as follows:

1. Information on the decisions made by the session XLIX of the OSJD Ministerial Conference (15-18 June 2021);
2. Development of OSJD documents and other measures necessary to support the operation of the OSJD Academy;
3. Implementation of pilot training projects.
4. Sharing best practices in the areas of education and training (information to be provided by the AWG members);
5. Updating and maintaining the OSJD information internet resource for the purposes of popularising vocational education and training of personnel in the area of railway transport;
6. Tentative agenda for AWG Meeting XX.
7. Any other business.

In order to support the functioning of the OSJD Academy, the meeting participants invited the Russian Railways OJSC to prepare and submit to the OSJD Committee before 8 June 2021 its proposals on qualification requirements to candidates for the positions of OSJD Academy Director and two Deputy Directors, and develop the criteria to be applied by an independent qualification commission in selecting proper candidates. The Russian Railways OJSC expressed its preparedness to take on the task.

Expert meeting on the SMPS Agreement

An expert meeting on the SMPS Agreement was organised by the OSJD Commission on Transport Law as an online videoconference on 16-18 March 2021. The meeting was attended by the representatives from the following OSJD member countries: Republic of Azerbaijan, Republic of Belarus, Republic of Kazakhstan, People’s Republic of China, Republic of Latvia, Republic of Lithuania, Republic of Moldova, Mongolia, Republic of Poland, Russian Federation, Slovak Republic, Republic of Tajikistan, Republic of Uzbekistan, Ukraine, Czech Republic, as well as by the representatives of Hungarian State Railways – MAV Co., and the OSJD Committee.

In line with the agenda, the meeting reviewed a number of proposed amendments and additions into the Agreement on International Passenger Traffic (SMPS), and into the Service Instruction (SI) to the SMPS.

In the course of discussions on proposed modifications and additions to the Agreement on International Passenger Traffic (SMPS) that had been received from the SMPS Parties Republic of Latvia, Republic of Moldova, Russian Federation and Ukraine, the meeting participants upheld the position of the Russian Federation’s representative to the SMPS who noted that extending the liability provisions contained in Section VII of the SMPS to cover the consignee would not be an improvement.

The meeting participants requested the representative of the Russian Federation to the SMPS to present all the Parties to the SMPS and the OSJD Committee with proposed amendments to § 2, Article 16 “Carriage of hand luggage and animals” that sets allowances and limits for hand luggage carried by children.

The meeting also reviewed proposals to supplement the SMPS with articles regulating the liability of the carrier in the event of delay or cancellation of a train or direct coach.

It was proposed that the SMPS be supplemented with clauses on the carrier’s liability for the cancellation of a train or direct coach for the passenger’s entire route or part of the route; for a delay of the train or direct coach because of which the passenger was unable to make a transfer to a connecting train under the contract of carriage; and for a late arrival of the train or direct coach at the passenger’s station of final destination:

- by 60 minutes or more if the length of the passenger’s route is up to 3,499 km, inclusively;

- by 300 minutes or more if the length of the passenger’s route is equal to or in excess of 500 km.

In the event that the carrier declared a late arrival of the train or direct coach at the passenger’s station of final destination as indicated in the contract of carriage, the passenger would have the right to:

1) terminate the contract of carriage and exercise the rights granted by the SMPS Agreement and the right applicable to the contract of carriage, or

2) continue the journey on the corresponding terms and conditions of carriage by the train that is closest in time, or by another train that travels at a time convenient to the passenger; or

3) continue, without regard to the delay, the journey by the train indicated in the contract of carriage.

In the event that a train or direct coach arrives at a delay at the passenger’s station of final destination, the passenger, subject to certain conditions, would be entitled to a compensation as follows:

1. if the total length of the passenger’s journey is up to 3,499 km, inclusively:

• 25% of the price of the travel document if the train or direct coach is delayed by 60 to 199 minutes, inclusively;
• 50% of the price of the travel document if the train or direct coach is delayed by 120 minutes or more;

2. if the total length of the passenger’s journey is 3,500 km or more:

• 25% of the price of the travel document if the train or direct coach is delayed by 300 to 599 minutes, inclusively;
• 50% of the price of the travel document if the train or direct coach is delayed by 600 minutes or more.

The right to set the form of compensation and a procedure for its payment would be granted to the carrier. No compensation would be paid if the passenger had been informed on the train’s delay before the purchase of the travel documents.

After the review of this issue had been completed, it was decided to continue its discussion at the next SMPS Expert Meeting scheduled for 31 August – 3 September 2021.

During deliberations on the modifications and additions to the SI to the SMPS proposed by the SMPS Parties from the Republic of Latvia, Russian Federation, and Ukraine, it was noted that the OSJD member from the Russian Federation had performed a comparative analysis of the norms contained in the SI to the SMPS and in the draft Document Governing the Issues Associated with the Service Personnel of Entities Involved in International Carriage of Passengers. Also, a comparative analysis had been made of norms set forth in the draft Agreement on Relations between International Passenger Carriers and in the SI to the SMPS. Based on the findings of these analyses, proposals were prepared on modifications and additions to be made to the SI to the SMPS. The OSJD member from Ukraine had prepared a proposal to add a new article to the SI to the SMPS that would set the procedure to be followed by carriers in the event of their failure to deliver under a passenger contract of carriage or in the event of a change in the terms and conditions of such a contract of carriage. The meeting participants upheld the proposal of the Party to the SMPS from the Russian Federation on modifying the structure of the SI to the SMPS to make it aligned with the structure of the SMPS (use articles and sections instead of paragraphs).

The SMPS Party from Ukraine presented proposals on the procedure for making service marks on travel and transport documents. As a result of the ensuing discussion of the proposals, the SMPS Parties from the Russian Federation and Ukraine were requested to prepare and present to all SMPS Parties and to the OSJD Committee their proposals on adding to the SI to the SMPS a new article defining the procedure the carrier would need to follow in the event of its failure to deliver on the contract of carriage or in the event that the terms and conditions of a contract of carriage have been changed.

In addition, the meeting participants made requests that:

- the SMPS Party from the Russian Federation prepares and presents their proposals on incorporating provisions on the procedure for stamp application into the appropriate Articles of the SI to the SMPS;

- the SMPS Party from the Republic of Latvia prepares and presents their proposals on making additions to the section “Information exchange between carriers;”

- the SMPS Party from Ukraine prepares and presents their proposals on the use of the concept of “regulating carrier” in the appropriate Article of the SI to the SMPS.

In conclusion of the meeting, the participants expressed their gratitude to the OSJD member from the Russian Federation for the highly professional work done in the preparation of the comparative analyses of the norms contained in the SI to the SMPS, in the Document, and in the Agreement, and also for the preparation of the draft modifications and additions to the SI to the SMPS.

Coordination of the freight volumes in international traffic

In accordance with the Work Plan of the OSJD Commission on Freight Traffic for 2021 in the framework of the subject “Coordination of the freight volumes in international traffic”, a meeting of the representatives of railways and foreign trade organisations of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Republic of Kazakhstan, People’s Republic of China, Mongolia, Russian Federation and Republic of Uzbekistan was held from 15 till 19 March 2021 in a videoconferencing mode to coordinate the volumes of transportation of export, import and transit goods by rail for 2021 and to set measures to ensure them.

The meeting was attended by the representatives of the OSJD railways’ delegations and representatives of foreign trade organisations of the following countries: the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Republic of Kazakhstan, People’s Republic of China, Mongolia, Russian Federation and Republic of Uzbekistan. The representatives of the Korea National Railway Corporation (KORAIL) and the OSJD affiliated enterprise – UTLC ERA JSC, as well as the OSJD Committee attended as invitees.

According to the official notification received from the Ministry of Railways of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (ZC), the ZC representatives did not participate in the meeting for production reasons, and the suggestions and comments submitted by the ZC on the agenda items of the meeting were agreed with China State Railway Group (KZD) and the Russian Railways OJSC (RZD OJSC) remotely in an extra-mural format.

Chairman of the OSJD Committee, Mr. Miroslaw Antonowicz, addressed the meeting participants with a welcoming speech, noting the significance and importance of holding the meeting in a difficult situation in the world caused by the pandemic, to agree on the volumes of transportation of export, import and transit goods and to develop technical and organisational measures for their implementation, which was the basis for the smooth organisation of freight traffic in the Eurasian space, in order to meet the requirements of all sectors of the world’s economy, and more recently in the field of healthcare, wishing the meeting participants fruitful and successful work.

The meeting participants were greeted by Secretary of the OSJD Committee, Mr. Attila Kiss, who expressed his gratitude to all the delegations present at the meeting for participation in the work aimed at the decision-making as to serious and practical issues related to the coordination of the volume of foreign trade freight traffic in order to ensure the smooth organisation of the carriage of cargoes in the international communication and efficient use of railway transport.

The meeting participants agreed on the following agenda:

1. Summing up the results of the implementation of freight traffic volumes for 2020.
2. Coordination of the volumes of transportation of export, import and transit goods for 2021 and their distribution by quarters and types of goods for each border crossing point.
3. Development of technical and organisational measures for the implementation of the agreed volumes of freight traffic for 2021.
4. Proposals of railways.
5. Coordination of the date and venue of the next meeting to be held in 2022.
6. Miscellaneous.

The agenda items Nos. 2, 3 and 4 were considered in the framework of the meetings within nine Subgroups.

The delegations participating in the meeting informed about the implementation of the volumes of transportation of foreign trade goods in international traffic for 2020 and about the organisational and technical measures taken to ensure them.

The volumes of transportation of export, import and transit goods for 2021 have been agreed, with their distribution by quarters, by each border crossing point and by type of cargo.

For the purpose of identifying the titles of the goods, when coordinating monthly plans for the transportation of goods by railways, the commodity codes of export, import and transit goods has been agreed.

The delegations agreed that when signing contracts for the supply of goods in excess of the volumes of freight traffic agreed for 2021, the possibility of carrying out this traffic will be considered and resolved when agreeing monthly operational plans, taking into account the throughput of border crossing points.

The organisational and technical measures were agreed to ensure the implementation of the coordinated volumes of transportation of export, import and transit goods for 2021.

The work will be continued to reduce the idling time spent by wagons and locomotives at border stations due to:

- compliance with the standards stipulated by the SMGS Agreement and SI to SMGS;

- increasing the uniformity of transportation of foreign trade goods (except seasonal) throughout the year, quarters and months;

- timely formation of trains and their departure strictly according to the agreed timetables;

- accelerating the turnover of locomotives and wagons;

- routing of bulk cargo transportation (coal, coke, oil, oil products, metal ore, fertilizers, timber and others);

- timely cleaning of empty wagons after unloading and acceleration of their return to the owner railways;

- improvement of technological processes for the transfer of trains in international traffic in strict accordance with the requirements of the SMGS Agreement, SI to SMGS, PGW Rules;

- improving the systems of mutual information between border railways about the availability, approach of goods and wagons to the border stations;

- taking the necessary measures to improve the technical condition of freight wagons, preventing the departure of goods in wagons that do not meet the technical requirements of the PGW Rules.

The railways will inform foreign trade organisations and forwarders (operators) about the changes and amendments introduced into the SMGS Agreement and SI to SMGS.

In order to optimise the operation of rolling stock, the Parties will work with the participants in the transport process (rolling stock operators, freight forwarders, consignors, etc.), whenever possible, consider logistic schemes that reduce the empty mileage of rolling stock.

The meeting participants agreed to include in the draft Work Plan of the OSJD Commission on Freight Traffic for 2022 the implementation of work on the subject “Coordination of the freight volumes in international traffic”.

The Head of Delegation of the Republic of Uzbekistan informed about the readiness of holding the next meeting of representatives of railways and foreign trade organisations of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Republic of Kazakhstan, People’s Republic of China, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Mongolia, Russian Federation and Republic of Uzbekistan for coordinating the volumes of transportation of export, import and transit goods and for developing technical and organisational measures for the implementation of the agreed volumes of freight traffic in March 2022 in the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The participants of the meeting with gratitude accepted the kind invitation of the delegation of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Development of a draft document on the transportation of containers as part of container trains in international traffic

In the period from 17 till 19 February 2021, in accordance with the Work Plan of the OSJD Commission on Freight Traffic for 2021, an expert meeting was held to develop a draft document on the transportation of containers as part of container trains in international traffic, in the videoconferencing mode.

The meeting was attended by the representatives of the following OSJD railways participating in the subject: AZD CJSC, BC, “KTZ NC” JSC, LTG, CFM, UBZD JSC, PKP JSC, RZD OJSC, Ukrzaliznytsia JSC (UZ), EVR JSC, as well as the Korean National Railway Corporation (KORAIL), OSJD affiliated enterprises – “Eurosib SPb - Transport Systems JSC”, “UTLC ERA” JSC, “TransContainer” PJSC, METRANS Group and the OSJD Committee.

The meeting participants from AZD JSC, In the period from 17 till 19 February 2021, in accordance with the Work Plan of the OSJD Commission on Freight Traffic for 2021, an expert meeting was held to develop a draft document on the transportation of containers as part of container trains in international traffic, in the videoconferencing mode.

The meeting was attended by the representatives of the following OSJD railways participating in the subject: AZD CJSC, BC, “KTZ NC” JSC, LTG, CFM, UBZD JSC, PKP JSC, RZD OJSC, Ukrzaliznytsia JSC (UZ), EVR JSC, as well as the Korean National Railway Corporation (KORAIL), OSJD affiliated enterprises – “Eurosib SPb - Transport Systems JSC”, “UTLC ERA” JSC, “TransContainer” PJSC, METRANS Group and the OSJD Committee.

The meeting participants from AZD JSC, The meeting participants reviewed the sections of the draft Rules.

Under Section 1 “Organisation of transportation”, item 1.4 requires additional consideration at the next meeting.

When considering Section 4 “Uncoupling en route”, it was stated that one of the important issues is the provision on the number of uncoupled wagons for the recognition of a train as a container one. The carriers’ positions were reduced to the recognition of a train being a container one when two conventional wagons were uncoupled. The position of the organisers of container trains is to recognise a train as a container one, regardless of the number of wagons uncoupled from the container train. Also further discussion is required as to the issue related to the conditions for further advancement of uncoupled wagons with containers (as part of a freight train, container train, the timing of their delivery, tariffs set for the transportation and the procedure for informing subsequent CTOs1 and RUs2).

Section 6 “Tariffs set for the transportation of containers as part of container trains” was considered and agreed upon.

The meeting decided to consider the possibility of revising Section 7 “Information interaction”

taking into account the proposal of “Eurosib SPb – Transport Systems” JSC at the next meeting (31 May - 2 June 2021, OSJD Committee).

It was decided to consider the issue of filling in Section 8 “Liability” after preparing the filling of all provisions of the draft Agreement and the Rules.

The representative of “Eurosib SPb – Transport Systems” JSC proposed to supplement the draft Rules with a section related to the organisation of work after the arrival of the container train, including the settlement of the issue of the timely return of empty rolling stock, for the purpose of which proposals on this issue will be prepared for consideration at the next meeting.

The work within this subject will continue throughout 2021.

1 CTO – container transport operator

2 RU – railway undertaking

Expert meeting on the systems of ticket reservation, passenger reference and information services, support services, and financial reporting

The meeting was organised by the OSJD Committee in pursuance of the Work Plan of the OSJD Commission on Passenger Traffic for 2021. The meeting took place on 2 - 4 March 2021 as a videoconference attended by representatives of the following OSJD Railways: AZD CJSC, BC, Holding BDZ EAD, VZD, KTZ NC JSC (KZH), KZD, KORAIL, LTG, CFM, UBZD JSC, PKP JSC, RZD OJSC, UTI, Ukrzaliznytsia JSC (UZ), CD JSC, as well as of the OSJD Committee.

The meeting addressed the following agenda items:

- enhanced e-ticketing services to passengers traveling internationally;

- reaching agreement on return ticket quotas for international trains as their schedules change;

- prospects for the improvement of electronic ticket reservation systems;

- implementation of new products in passenger transportation.

In the course of discussing the agenda items, the Byelorussian Railway (BC) presented information on the development of IT services involved in the issue of electronic travel documents, noting the continued rise in the share of electronic tickets sold to trains with both number-designated and non-designated seats or berths. The BC. MyTrain mobile app was adapted so that it could be distributed through the official Huawei AppGallery and used on Huawei and Honor mobile devices.

The BC mobile app has added new functionalities, including notifications sent to users on events in the online ticket booking system.

The online travel document sales system has received an improved version of the feature that supports payment for the use of a set of bedding items. Using a set of bedding items is optional to passengers, and a passenger may choose to document and pay for a set of bedding items only during travels within the Republic of Belarus on BC-formed trains or in BC coaches of the following types: 3^rd-class couchettes, coupes, and 1^st-class sleepers.

The software has been updated that runs on the mobile document verification terminals. The software now supports the Android operating system versions 9, 10, and 11.

Russian Railways informed the meeting about the improvements made to the software component of the Express-3 Automated Control System. The system is capable of automatically documenting extra charges for the mileage of empty coaches in international traffic. The range of services supported by specialised equipment installed on the train has been expanded.

The automated documentation of extra charges for the mileage of empty coaches in international traffic rules out any risks associated with a manual charge calculation technology.

The automated system also generates tax reports regarding the 20% VAT assessed in the Russian Federation under the country’s law.

Thanks to the new features of the Express system, the specialised equipment onboard the train has added the following services:

- issue of travel documents to transport hand luggage and regular luggage in a specialized compartment;

- issue of travel documents to employees of the RZD OJSC or FPK JSC on their private or duty-related travels against the presentation of virtual or electronic travel vouchers;

- reissue of travel documents and electronic tickets acquired at children’s or student’s rates to make them full-rate travel documents;

- issue of a travel document in the absence of connection to the Express-3 Automated Control System;

- providing to the train master the ability to return to the general sales system any seats sold at children’s rates but vacated en route for legitimate reasons;

- granting the option of upgrading en route to a higher service class in Deluxe coaches.

UZ informed the participants that in 2020, 66% of the total travel documents sold came from online sales (taking into account the closing of passenger traffic from 18.03.2020 to 31.05.2020 as part of the restrictions imposed to prevent the spread of COVID-19).

Following the resumption of passenger services on 01.06.2020, the issue (including online issue) of travel documents for a limited number of seats in all types of coaches (excluding the 1^st-class sleeping cars) was supported. 50% of the total number of seats in a coach were made available, with the available seats arranged in a checkerboard pattern.

Since 29.08.2020, tickets to in-country trains have been available 90 days in advance of the travel.

Over 2020, 16.5 thousand privilegedrate tickets were issued through the booking. uz.gov.ua website to passengers with reduced mobility. The sales involved eligibility verification through the Central Data Bank on Disabilitiy Issues operated by the Ministry of Social Policy.

The new service of ordering online a specially equipped coach to carry wheelchair users that involves the issue of travel documents has been introduced. In 2020, a total of 112 orders for a special coach designed for this category of passengers was received.

For all long-distance trains formed by Ukrzaliznytsia JSC, the issue of electronic travel documents is supported along the entire route of the train to its final destination station.

Under Resolution No. 691 dated 29 July 2020 of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine On the Implementation of an Experimental Project to Introduce the Service of Issuing a Universal Electronic Ticket, a pilot project was launched in September 2020 that involved issuing a single electronic ticket known as the SmartTicket that covered railway, air, and urban (metro) transport. The ticket was made available through a platform at the integrated transport portal of electronic services run by the Ministry of Infrastructure of Ukraine https://smartticket.gov.ua/. Currently, the universal ticket is available to travel by railway and urban transit systems (metro).

Based on its analysis of international passenger traffic, BC proposed that the railways involved (MAV, PKP, and CD) consider using quotas for issuing return tickets.

Russian Railways presented its proposals regarding the return ticket quotas for trains running between Russia and Mongolia, and for the direct coaches Moscow – Prague – Moscow in view of the 2021/2022 passenger train timetable.

UZ laid out its perspective on the return ticket quota allocation for the 2021/2022 passenger train timetable. UZ noted that allocating return ticket quotas to non-Ukrainian railways did not serve a purpose, because such railways provided no information on unsold tickets from the quotas allocated to them, so the corresponding seats remained unoccupied as the train traveled in Ukraine. Train travels may be documented through inter-system data exchange between ticket reservation systems. If the return ticket quotas cannot be forgone, then non-Ukrainian railways would do well to transfer to the others their unused quota return tickets to prevent the waste of the trains’ passenger capacity.

In view of the fact that the UZ website booking.uz.gov.ua is used for issuing electronic travel documents to all trains or coaches operated by Ukrzaliznytsia JSC that run between Ukraine and Poland, it was suggested that all seats in UZ coaches that are part of train 67/68 Kiev – Warsaw be stored in the UZ reservation system for both directions; in train 51/52 Lvov – Wroclaw (both directions), seats in the PKP coach be stored in the PKP reservation system, while seats in the UZ coach be kept in the UZ reservation system.

The Railway Administrations of BC and PKP are taking steps to maximise capacity utilization of their rolling stock engaged in the BC – PKP – BC traffic, including efforts to obtain reference information about seat availability, which would be impossible without ensuring proper interoperability between the Express-3 ACS and EPA- PKP ticket reservation systems.

BC experts worked together with their counterparts from PKP to test the joint operation of the Express-3 ACS and EPA-PKP systems to issue travel documents for trains Nos. 127/128 and 125/126 Brest – Warsaw, No. 303/304 Grodno – Krakow, Nos. 727/728 and 725/726 Minsk – Brest. The testing produced a positive outcome: the PKP experts successfully used the EPA-PKP system to book travel documents from the seat quota stored in the Express-3 ACS.

The Express-3 ACS received an update that allowed obtaining reference information on the availability of seats and booking travel documents for the trains mentioned above out of the seat quota stored in the EPA-PKP. An additional round of tests was conducted to verify the function of payment document generation.

After the setting up of interoperability features between Express-3 ACS and EPS PKP reservation systems is completed, the railways will be able to proceed to the next stage – to open sales of electronic travel documents that support electronic check-in.

As part of the setup process to ensure the interoperability of the Express-3 ACS and EPA- PKP, BC requested PKP to test whether PKP booking offices could take returns of travel documents purchased from BC booking offices out of the seat quota stored in the Express-3 ACS.

As part of its effort to support further development of electronic ticket reservation systems that serve international traffic, BC requested CD, MAV, and PKP to step up their work on opening electronic ticket sales for trains Nos. 131/114-115/130 Brest – Budapest/Prague after the restrictions have been lifted and international traffic resumed. The Express system supports opening sales of electronic travel documents with electronic check-in within the seat quota stored in the Express system for coaches with sitting accommodation that are part of those trains. For the purposes of verification, the train master will be issued a certified paper copy of the Electronic Ticket Sales Record 50 minutes in advance of the train’s departure.

The RZD JSC informed the meeting of ongoing activities related to supporting interoperability with other countries’ ticket reservation systems using the XML data format.

Under a contract to upgrade the software of the Express-3 ACS (version 2020-1), the NC Express Research Center is migrating the system to XML-based communication protocols to sustain its interoperability with international ticket reservation systems in conformance with IRS 90918-1.

Based on the information contained in IRS 90918-1, the Express-3 ACS was provided with XML-based structures of key message types that previously used a binary format in the Express-3 system so that the new system could interact with other countries’ ticket reservation systems to support:

- seat reservation for trains that use global prices;

- cancellation of travel documents issued for trains that use global prices;

- partial cancellation of travel documents issued for trains that use global prices;

- obtaining reference information while travelling on trains that use global prices;

- rectification.

Currently, the software development phase is nearing completion, with the system’s software undergoing autonomous testing.

To complete the transition to communicating with Western European ticket reservation systems in the XML format through the HEROS translator, RZD OJSC is negotiating a supplement contract with HitRail.

Russian Railways informed the participants on the feature of the Express-3 ACS that supports the issue, as an annex to the passenger’s travel document, of a Pet Travel Receipt that does not provide another seat and costs 50% of the full passenger rate in Class 2 coaches in the countries on the train’s route that collect such a charge.

The representatives of CD seconded the ability of RZD OJSC ticket reservation system to issue such a travel document for pets.

The Pet Travel Receipt will be applied to the FPK JSC’s direct Moscow – Prague – Moscow coaches, with the payment for the ticket part of the fare on the CD’s territory made on the conditions declared by the CD.

RZD OJSC requested PKP to reconfirm the terms and conditions for the carriage of animals in the FPK JSC’s direct Moscow – Prague – Moscow coaches on the PKP’s territory under the rules applicable in the area covered by the SMPS Agreement, which had been previously endorsed by the PKP Information Center.

Ukrzaliznytsia JSC made a request to the railway administrations of BC, LDZ, and LTG to speed up their reviews of the Agreement on the Organisation of Electronic Travel Documents Online Sales for travelling by rail on the route Kiev – Minsk – Vilnius – Riga.

NC KTZ JSC informed the participants that in order to improve the quality of passenger services and extend the range of extra services offered to passengers, the Mayirim electronic discount card had been introduced to passengers with various degrees of disability. The cards allow their holders to purchase special travel documents (tickets) to socially significant trains at a 50% discount from the regular prices. Through the use of these electronic discount cards, persons with limited abilities are able to buy railway tickets remotely, without leaving their homes.

The task Digital technological quotas was launched in a test mode. This functionality had been developed in order to support automated accounting and control of the use of reserved seats on passenger trains. Under this project, a web resource has been created where each quota owner has a personal account accessible by the officials who are responsible for the distribution of seats within the quota and for the supervision of their use. A seat allocated from the quota is assigned to a specific passenger by entering the passenger’s personal data such as full name and personal passport data. No ticket to the seat may be issued to a different passenger. The rightful passenger is provided a password against which they can have a ticket issued through any sales channel, including the online channel.

The quota owner will be able to receive reports on passengers who have been issued tickets within the allocated quota, with various filters applied to sort the data (by train, by date, by reporting period, etc.). Access to this information by other quota owners is impossible. The carrier will be receiving statistical information (anonymized data) on the use of seat quotas on its trains.

RZD OJSC reported the launch of a range of extra services to railway passengers who buy their tickets as participants of the company’s customer loyalty program. A new set of age and gender-based discounts had also been introduced.

As part of FPK JSC’s onboard marketing campaigns, the Express-3 ACS supports the application of additional special rates to loyalty program participants:

86 - FAMILY WITH MANY CHILDREN;

87 - LARGE FAMILY;

88 - PERSONS WITH GROUP 1 DISABILITIES.

During the registration as a participant in the program, a corresponding rate plan identification has to be entered according to the above- mentioned status. The rate plan can be changed later as appropriate.

The client is provided the card number of a participant in the loyalty program. The card entitles the holder to special rates. The card number is then used in the issuing of travel documents and electronic tickets at a booking office or via a website.

In addition, the Express-3 ACS has implemented the ability to purchase travel documents and electronic tickets to railway transport for a specific date or a specific period while exercising any discounts linked to the passenger’s age or gender. The need to group passengers by gender is caused by the fact that the government has set different retirement ages for men and women.

Also, there are events during certain periods that may be used as opportunities to offer special prices. For example, male passengers may be granted a discount on or around the Defender of the Fatherland Day, while female passengers may receive special offers for the International Women’s Day.

UZ informed the participants that on 12.01.2021 Ukrzaliznytsia JSC in cooperation with Visa and Middleware launched a chatbot on the Viber and Telegram platforms. At the initial phase, electronic travel documents to Intercity+ high-speed trains will be issued. The users can also see the trains’ timetable, order and pay for on-board meals, return unused travel documents that were bought using the service, and receive information on the train’s time of arrival, any delays, or the number of the track from which the train departs (the information is available for the Kiev Passenger Station).

The chatbot makes available a range of electronic travel document rates such as full, children’s, and student’s.

The bot can be activated at: https://vb.me/ukr_railway or https://t.me/Ukrzaliznytsia_Tick- ets_Bot.

The development of a new ticket booking mobile app was initiated. The new app will be available for gadgets running on Android or iOS operating systems.

UZ is looking to replace the expensive devices that are currently used to check and validate electronic tickets. To validate electronic tickets, a mobile app for Android has been developed that is currently undergoing field trials.

Starting from September 2021, the uploading of rate data into the UIC’s Prifis database should be handled by a specialised converter that is available to testers at the GitHub web portal. UZ has requested the representatives of railway administrations to provide the OSJD Committee with information on any work done in this area. UZ also asked the OSJD Committee to distribute such information among railway administrations.

Expert meetings on the subject “Rolling stock dimensions in international traffic, taking into account the requirements for interoperability”

In accordance with the Work Plan of the OSJD Commission on Infrastructure and Rolling Stock for 2021, in the period from 7 till 8 April 2021, an online videoconferencing meeting was held on subject No. 1 “Rolling stock dimensions in international traffic, taking into account the requirements for interoperability”, which was attended by the representatives from the following railways: AZD CJSC, BC, NRIC (Bulgaria), MAV Co., “KTZ NC JSC”, CFM, RZD OJSC, ŽSR, Ukrzaliznytsia JSC (UZ); the OSJD affiliated enterprise – Eurosib SPb - Transport Systems JSC, as well as the OSJD Committee.

Miroslaw Antonowicz, Chairman of the OSJD Committee, addressed the meeting participants with a welcoming speech, having noted that one of the important tools for improving the railway transport is increasing the safety and reliability of infrastructure, and the platform of the OSJD Committee strengthens its authority from year to year, being a professional and open basis for discussing the most pressing problems in the field of railways.

Attila Kiss, Secretary of the OSJD Committee, also delivered a welcoming speech and wished fruitful work in such a difficult time in the context of a global pandemic.

Radovan Vopalecky, Chairman of the OSJD Commission on Infrastructure and Rolling Stock, informed the meeting participants about the work carried out by the OSJD Committee within the framework of the OSJD Commission on Infrastructure and Rolling Stock, where all the meetings, due to the pandemic, were transferred to the online videoconference mode.

The following items have been considered within the framework of the agenda:

- discussion of the MAV Co. proposal regarding the development of a draft annex with the working title “Dimensions of rearranged wagons running on 1435-mm track gauge” to the current Leaflet O 500 “General rules for rolling stock gauges in an interoperable (without being transferred or reloaded) international railway traffic” (II edition as of 26.04.2013) (MAV Co. as a duty holder);

- development of information material on the subject: “Ensuring interoperability requirements for the parameter ‘distance from the track axis to the platform edge’ in the combined movement of European rolling stock and rolling stock with gauge 1-T” (NRIC as a duty holder);

- approval of the draft Work Plan of Experts for 2022 on subject No. 1 “Rolling stock dimensions in international traffic, taking into account the requirements for interoperability”;

- use of the logged platform of the OSJD web- site in the work of the OSJD Commission on Infrastructure and Rolling Stock, and others.

The representative of MAV Co. presented to the expert meeting an information summary on the conditions for the running of freight wagons of 1-VM gauge on the sections of the OSJD railways with a track gauge of 1435 mm, on which the passenger platforms that were built according to the European standard (2008/164/EC) and to Regulation 1300/2014/EU are located. He also presented information on the operation of the rearranged standard wagons, built with a rolling stock gauge of 1-VM, running on the MAV Co. network.

During the discussion, the experts participating in the meeting have come to a conclusion that the main reason for the need to change the gauge of 1-VM is as follows:

- change in the distance from the track axis to the end of the passenger platform at a height of 550 mm from 1725 mm + 36000/R to 1650 mm + 3750/R;

- difference in the calculation of the construction width of the rolling stock on the railways of the European Union countries.

During the discussion, experts from 1520-mm gauge railways expressed doubts about the possibility of introducing a new gauge for rolling stock or making changes to the existing gauge of 1-VM at a height of 430 mm to 1160 mm for rolling stock (rearranged wagons running on the tracks with 1435-mm gauge) in interoperable (without being reloaded or transferred) international traffic due to high organisational and financial costs.

The expert meeting has put forward a proposal to continue the work by performing the calculations according to the methodology provided by the representative of ŽSR based on the calculations of Leaflet O 500/505-6 “General rules for rolling stock dimensions in interoperable (with- out being reloaded or transferred) international traffic” (II edition as of 26.04.2013), taking into account the actual dimensions of the 1520-mm gauge wagons included in the 1-ВМ gauge.

The expert meeting has come up with a proposal that this issue be brought up for discussion by the OSJD governing bodies.

The NRIC representative has presented informational material related to the interoperability issues on the Railways of the Republic of Bulgaria regarding the distance from the track axis to the platform edge. The company’s experts made the necessary calculations in accordance with the EN 15273-3 standard and thus determined the distance from the track axis to the platform edge 1700 mm + 3750/R for the unhindered operation of rolling stock with the 1-T dimension. From the point of view of travel safety, a rubber edging of 50 mm wide is additionally mounted on the edge along the platform. The presentation contains relevant technical examples.

Taking into account the information provided, the meeting invited all participants to pay attention to the NRIC experience as regards the design and construction of passenger platforms according to the European standard (2008/164/EC) on the sections where rolling stock with the 1-T gauge is in operation.

56th meeting of the OSJD-ERA Contact Group

The 56th meeting of the OSJD-ERA Contact Group was held in a videoconferencing mode on 26-28 January 2021 to discuss the subject “Collaboration between ERA and OSJD on the analysis of the relationship between 1520-mm/1524-mm and 1435-mm rail systems of EU and non-EU states.” The meeting was attended by the representatives of the OSJD member countries from the Republic of Belarus, Georgia, Republic of Kazakhstan, Republic of Latvia, Republic of Moldova, Republic of Poland, Russian Federation, Republic of Slovakia, Ukraine, and Estonia, as well as by the representatives of the OSJD Committee, ERA, DG MOVE, UIC, the Railway Transport Council (CSZT), and RailData.

In their welcoming addresses to the attendees, Chairman of the OSJD Committee Mr. Miroslaw Antonowicz and Executive Director of ERA Mr. Josef Doppelbauer noted the significance of the topic to be discussed for the improvement of technical compatibility and interoperability between the railway systems of different track gauges. Better interoperability would lead to an improved attractiveness and competitive standing of railway transport for international carriage between Europe and Asia.

In the course of their discussions on the subject “Updating the analysis of the subsystems

Locomotives and Diesel/Electric Multiple Units and Passenger Coaches”, the attendees:

- concurred that the work on the proposed template could be continued;

- paid particular attention to the organisation of the analysis, focusing on the collection and clarification of information about the ways the subsystem was regulated by the documents used between 1520/1524-mm and 1435-mm gauge railway systems in EU and non-EU countries;

- agreed on the view that at the current stage of the analysis, there would be no review of requirements to mobile equipment used in the construction and maintenance of the infrastructure (specialized rolling stock);

- requested the ERA to provide, to the extent possible, additional information in the template on any documents within the remit of the ERA that were used in the EU;

- requested all participants in the work of the OSJD/ERA Contact Group to complete the template’s set of core parameters “Design and mechanical equipment” and submit the information to the ERA; - requested the ERA to summarize the received materials and present them to the members of the OSJD/ERA Contact Group for discussion at the 57th meeting of the OSJD/ERA Contact Group on 23-25 March 2021.

During the discussion of the subject “Analysis of the Telematic Applications for Freight subsystem, ERA representatives expressed their gratitude to members of the OSJD/ERA Contact Group for sharing information and samples of real-life messages.

The ERA representatives noted that a sufficient amount of information had been provided, which made it possible to move on to tallying up the outcomes of the analysis.

The ERA experts had performed 12 rounds of message mapping and they would make another two rounds if the situation permitted.

Thus, there were sufficient grounds to conclude that a promising potential existed for automatic conversion of OSJD messages into TAF messages and vice versa in order to ensure seamless data exchange in railway freight traffic without a sizeable extra investment.

The ERA representatives made an overview presentation on the subject that also covered mapping of messages on rolling stock data. They also continued their work to finalize the report on the “Analysis of the Telematic Applications for Freight subsystem”, including the details of the message mappings, and the conclusions.

The meeting participants invited:

- the participants from the Russian Federation Party to provide to the ERA the information on any issues coming up during the last round of mapping (messages with rolling stock reference data);

- the representatives of the ERA to prepare the procedure for converting real-life samples of the ASOUP (Automated Traffic Control System) messages into TAF messages. The two samples were a message on the wagon’s departure, and a message on an emergency.

An updated summary document “Analysis of the Telematic Applications for Freight subsystem,” including draft general conclusions, was also requested to be sent to the members of the OSJD/ERA Contact Group;

- all members of the OSJD/ERA Contact Group to provide to the ERA, before 15 March 2021,

their additions, suggestions, and comments on the analysis and draft conclusions in order for them to be discussed at the 57th meeting of the OSJD/ERA Contact Group.

The representatives of RailData briefed the meeting participants on the IT systems ORFEUS service (consignment note), ISR service (wagon events), and CoReDa (database of liable commercial parties). The IT systems ORFEUS service and ISR service support the European Union’s TAF system.

In the course of discussing the subject “Updating the analysis of the Energy subsystem,” the representatives of the ERA provided updates and additions to Version 09 of the analysis.

The representative of the Slovak Republic provided clarifying information on the scope of application of various documents pertaining to the subsystem.

The meeting attendees discussed the draft conclusions (summary) presented by the ERA, and approved Version 10 of the analysis. The ERA would summarize the areas of analysis of interoperability between 1520/1524-mm and 1435-mm gauge railway systems in EU and non-EU countries (23-25 March 2021), and complete the work on this subject.

The meeting participants agreed to prepare presentations on the following topics for the 57^th meeting of the OSJD-ERA Contact Group on the subject “Collaboration between ERA and OSJD on the analysis of the relationship between 1520-mm/1524-mm and 1435-mm rail systems of EU and non-EU states.” (23-25 March 2021): 1. “Work progress of the Intergovernmental Technical Committee on the Standardization of ITC/MTK 524 “Railway Transport” in 2020 (Russia). 2. “Prospects for the development of the 1435-mm gauge railway network of Ukrzaliznytsia” (Ukraine).

The meeting participants were delivered a presentation by the representative of DG MOVE “Sustainable and smart mobility strategy”.

Annual Meeting of OSJD Commission on Infrastructure and Rolling Stock

The annual meeting of the OSJD Commission on Infrastructure and Rolling Stock, that took place at the OSJD Committee premises (Warsaw) with the use of the videoconference mode on 9-10 November 2020, summed up the working results of the Commission in the reporting period and considered the objectives and plans for the following period.

The meeting was attended by the representatives of the AZD CJSC, BC, NC “ZI”, MAV CJSC, NC “KTZ” JSC, “LTG Infra” JSC, CFM, PKP JSC, RZD JSC, ZSR, CFR JSC, Ukrzaliznytsia JSC (UZ), CD JSC; OSJD affiliated enterprise Betamont LLC as well as international organisations, including OTIF, UIC and OSJD Committee.

The meeting was opened by Miroslaw Antonowicz who addressed the meeting participants in his new qualification of the Chairman of OSJD Committee and wished them every success in their work in such a difficult time under global pandemic conditions.

Atilla Kiss, Secretary of the OSJD Committee, informed the meeting participants on the decisions taken at meeting XXXV of the Conference of General Directors (Authorized Representatives) of OSJD Railways that was held in a videoconference mode of on 14-16 September 2020.

Under the agenda, the meeting discussed the results of the expert meetings on the subjects as follows:

- “Rolling stock gauges in international traffic in view of interoperability requirements”;

- “Railway track and engineering structures”;

- “Signaling, interlocking and communications networks”;

- “Power supply and power traction systems”;

- “Rolling stock for railways. Technical requirements for its elements”;

- “Conversion of joint OSJD/UIC leaflets into international technical solutions (IRS) in the field of railway transport”.

The Commission’s meeting approved the following OSJD leaflets of recommendatory nature, having cancelled their previous editions available:

R 500/1 “Procedure for collecting and maintaining data on clearance-based railway route passing ability and permissible axle weight per track running meter”, Edition V;

R 745/5 “Resilient rail fasteners with resilient connecting screws”, Edition I;

R 778 “Recommendations on the structure, laying and maintenance of jointless track”, Edition II;

R 811 “Recommendations on operational and technical requirements for axle counting systems”, Edition III;

R 835 “Recommendations on mechanization and automation of freight wagons sorting at humps”, Edition IV;

R 602 “Recommendations on hardening the overhead network and overhead lines of power transmission against wind forcing”, Edition I;

R 611“Recommendations on the optimal parameters of converter transformers and static converters of railway DC substations”, Edition I.

The Commission’s meeting cancelled the following OSJD leaflets:

R 500/1 “Procedure for collecting and administering the data on clearance-based railway route passing ability and permissible axle weight per track running meter”, Edition IV as of 24.10.2014;

R 745/1 “Resilient rail fasteners with resilient connecting screws of the following types: Skl12, Skl14, Skl24, Skl21”, Edition II as of 24.10.2014;

R 745/3 “Resilient rail fasteners of ZBR-65 (ЖБР-65) type”, Edition I as of 12.10.2012;

R 745/4 “Resilient rail fastener KPP, in view of other types of resilient fasteners”, Edition I as of 05.11.2004;

R 778 “Recommendations on the structure, laying and maintenance of jointless track”, Edition I as of 30.10.2015;

R 633 “Recommendations on the improvement of overhead catenary systems and current collection on the electrified railways at speeds of up to 200 km/h”, Edition I as of 25.01.1977.

The expert meeting on subtopic 5.2 “Wagons and Coaches” adopted a decision to continue the work in 2021 to update the following OSJD leaflets:

R 513 “Recommendation of thermotechnically-sound structure of wheels and brake blocks of railway rolling stock with shoe-type brakes”, Edition III as of 16.10.2001;

O+R 516 “Railway rolling stock. Technical requirements for rolling stock in international traffic between the 1435-mm and 1520-mm railway systems of OSJD member countries. Freight wagons”, Edition II as of 24.04.2015;

O+R 520 “Railway rolling stock. Technical requirements for rolling stock in international traffic between the 1435-mm and 1520-mm railway systems of OSJD member countries. Passenger coaches”, Edition II as of 24.04.2015;

The Commission’s meeting agreed on the following leaflets of mandatory-recommendatory nature for their submission for approval by meeting XXXVI of the Conference of General Directors with the cancellation of leaflet O+R 756, Edition III:

O+R 756 “Recommendations on wear reduction of switches” in view of information material on the topic “Protection method for the elements of switches against wear to extend their lifetime”, Edition IV;

O+R 773/6 “Recommendations on reinforcing the lining of railway tunnels with the use of anchoring systems and composite material”, Edition I.

As it was proposed to add to the draft Work Plan of the Commission for 2021 a new agenda “Elaboration of information material on the subject ‘Experience in applying the automatic gauge changeover systems’” of subtopic 5.2 “Wagons and coaches”, the working body of the Commission invited the railways participating in the subtopic “Wagons and coaches” to inform the OSJD Committee on their preparedness to take part in the that subject in 2021.

The Commission’s meeting decided that draft OSJD Leaflet O 592 “Maximum gross weight of the containers admitted to be carried on the flat wagons of existing types” would require its finalization, requesting to agree it by the end of 2020. And the leading duty holder from BC was invited by the meeting to make respective modifications for approval by meeting XXXVI of the Conference of General Directors in April 2021.

The working results gained by the experts on the subject “Conversion of joint OSJD/UIC leaflets into international railway solutions (IRS)” for 2020 were approved and it was recommended that this work be continued in 2021.

The UIC representative informed the meeting participants delivering a presentation on the migration progress of the UIC leaflets into IRS (international railway solutions) and on the work planned for the period of 2020-2022.

The meeting provisionally agreed on the IRS “Rolling stock gauges” (which included the main and applied parts). Once the RZD JSC had submitted to the OSJD Committee the corrected Russian translation of the draft IRS “Rolling stock gauges” (which included the main and applied parts), the OSJD Committee would send it for consideration and approval at meeting XXXVI of the Conference of General Directors.

The meeting participants were informed about the updates of the draft document “Terms of Reference of the OSJD/UIC Joint Working Group on the conversion of joint OSJD/UIC leaflets into draft international railway solutions (IRS)”. The UIC representative informed that the draft Terms of Reference were undergoing the procedure of internal approval at the UIC and at the OSJD likewise.

The following railways agreed to participate in this work in 2021: BC, MAV Co., ‘KTZ NC’ JSC, CFM, UBZD, PKP JSC, RZD OJSC, Ukrzaliznytsia JSC, as well as LDZ, LTG Cargo, EVR in the observer’s capacity. The representative of MAV Co. stated that the MAV Co. would participate in the JWG as a full member.

The Commission’s meeting agreed to include the draft IRS “Carriage of unconventional con- signments in international railway traffic” for consideration in the draft Work Plan for 2021.

The Commission’s meeting has agreed on the draft “Report on the working results of the OSJD Commission on Infrastructure and Rolling Stock for 2020”, the Commission’s Work Plan for 2021, OSJD Work Programme for 2022 and the years to come as well as General Section of the Work Plan of the OSJD working bodies for 2021 in part of the activities of the OSJD Com- mission on Infrastructure and Rolling Stock.

Meeting of the OSJD Commission on Transport Law on SMGS issues

The meeting of the OSJD Commission on Transport Law on SMGS issues, organised by the OSJD Committee in the period from 20 till 23 October 2020 in a videoconferencing mode, was attended by the representatives of the OSJD members – SMGS participants from the following countries: Republic of Azerbaijan, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Republic of Belarus, Hungary, Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Georgia, Republic of Kazakhstan, People’s Republic of China, Republic of Latvia, Republic of Lithuania, Republic of Moldova, Mongolia, Republic of Poland, Russian Federation, Slovak Republic, Republic of Tajikistan, Republic of Uzbekistan, Ukraine, Republic of Estonia; OSJD Observer – Finnish Railways (VR Group), OSJD affiliated enterprises – Rail Cargo Hungaria Co., ‘PLASKE’ JSC, as well as CIT and OSJD Committee.

Mikhail Vsevolozhskiy, Deputy Chairman of the OSJD Committee, addressed the meeting participants with a welcoming speech, noting that, despite the difficult situation in most countries of the world caused by the coronavirus infection pandemic, the OSJD continues continue their purposeful work to improve the international legal documents. He expressed confidence that only joint work and partnerships would make it possible to overcome this difficult period in the OSJD activities.

The meeting participants reviewed the draft amendments and addenda to the SMGS and the Service Manual (SI) to the SMGS, previously agreed upon by the meeting of experts of the OSJD Commission on Transport Law on SMGS issues, held on 29-31 July 2020.

Taking into account the outcomes gained by considering the proposals of the SMGS participants, the meeting agreed on amendments and addenda to the SMGS Agreement and SI to SMGS and addressed the OSJD Committee with a request to approve them in accordance with the established procedure to come subsequently into force starting from 1 July 2021.

During the meeting, the proposal of the SMGS participant from the Republic of Kazakhstan to replace the concept of ‘rail-and-ferry traffic’ with ‘rail-and-water traffic’ was considered, as well as the views of the SMGS participants on this issue were taken into account.

At the proposal of the SMGS participant from the Republic of Kazakhstan, the meeting participants have decided to set up an OSJD Ad Hoc Working Group on the issue of rail-and-water traffic, as well as have determined the goals and objectives of this AWG.

The goal of the AWG is to develop a draft comprehensive modifications and additions to the SMGS Agreement and SI to the SMGS, aimed at solving the issues related to the carriage of goods under a single consignment note, provided that the consignment passes through several railway sections of the railway track connected by water crossings.

The objectives of the AWG include:

1) identification of problems in the implementation of the carriage of goods using railway and water transport, provided that the goods from the station of departure to the station of destination are not carried in a wagon or on their own axles along the water section of the track (rail-and-ferry traffic);

2) analysis of international experience in the field of intermodal freight traffic organisation;

3) analysis of the provisions provided for in the SMGS Agreement and the establishment of provisions requiring changes to achieve the objective which has been set forth;

4) preparation of the draft comprehensive modifications and additions to the SMGS Agreement and SI to the SMGS.

The SMGS participant from the Republic of Kazakhstan expressed a desire to be the leading duty holder on this subject. The SMGS Participants from Azerbaijan, Georgia, Poland, Russia and Ukraine, as well as the OSJD affiliated enterprise – ‘PLASKE’ JSC and a CIT representative, have expressed their wishes to participate in the work of the AWG.

The meeting participants agreed to hold the AWG meetings in 2021. The content of the works and their progress, as well as the timing of the AWG meetings have been reflected in the draft Work Plan of the OSJD Commission on Transport Law on SMGS issues for 2021. The proposal to set up the AWG was submitted for approval by the meeting of the Plenipotentiary Representatives of the Members of the OSJD Ministerial Conference and the Conference of General Directors to be held in December 2020.

The meeting agreed on the draft Work Plan of the Commission for 2021 on the subjects “Updating the SMGS Agreement and SI to SMGS” and “Updating Annex 6 to SMGS ‘Guidelines for the CIM/SMGS consignment note’”.

Meeting of railway representatives to consider the working results of the OSJD Commission on Passenger Traffic for 2020

In accordance with the Work Plan of the OSJD Commission on Passenger Traffic for 2020, the annual meeting of the OSJD Commission on Passenger Traffic was held at the OSJD Committee premises (Warsaw) with use of the videoconference mode on 20-22 October 2020.

The meeting was attended by the representatives of the OSJD member countries’ railways from: Republic of Azerbaijan, Republic of Belarus, Republic of Bulgaria, Hungary, Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Republic of Kazakhstan, People’s Republic of China, Republic of Korea, Republic of Lithuania, Republic of Moldova, Mongolia, Republic of Poland, Russian Federation, Slovak Republic, Ukraine, Czech Republic, as well as the OSJD Observer – “Federal Passenger Company” JSC and the OSJD Committee.

Under the meeting agenda, the working results of the OSJD Commission on passenger traffic for 2020 were discussed on the following subjects:

• Development and approval of train traffic timetables, coach sequence indicators for passenger train sets and allocation of coaches in them in international traffic for 2020-2021 for Group I of railways and Group II of rail- ways;
• Seat reservation systems, reference information services in favour of passengers, rendering of services and compilation of finance reports;
• Improvement of the Agreement on International railway passenger tariff (MPT) and the MPT tariff, modifications in the MPT;
• Improvement of the Agreement on the Rules for the use of passenger coaches in international traffic (PPW) and the PPW Rules, modifications in the PPW.

The meeting considered and agreed in view of the amendments introduced the draft report on the “Working results of the OSJD Commission on Passenger Traffic for 2020” for its submission for approval by meeting XXXVI of the Conference of General Directors (Authorized Representatives) of OSJD Railways due to take place in April 2021 as well as the draft Work Plan of the OSJD Commission on Passenger Traffic for 2021 and the OSJD Work Programme for 2021 and the years to come in the field of passenger traffic.

Annual meeting of OSJD Commission on Transport Policy and Development Strategy

On 13-16 October 2020 the annual meeting of the OSJD Commission on Transport Policy and Development Strategy was held with use of the videoconference mode at the OSJD Committee (Warsaw), which was attended by the representatives of the following OSJD member countries: Republic of Azerbaijan, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Republic of Belarus, Hungary, Georgia, Republic of Kazakhstan, People’s Republic of China, Kyrgyz Republic, Republic of Latvia, Republic of Lithuania, Republic of Moldova, Mongolia, Republic of Poland, Russian Federation, Romania, Slovak Republic, Republic of Uzbekistan, Ukraine, Czech Republic, Republic of Moldova, Mongolia, Republic of Poland, Russian Federation, Romania, Slovak Republic, Republic of Uzbekistan, Ukraine, Czech Republic, Republic of Estonia, as well as the OSJD affiliated enterprises, including PLASKE JSC, Association of Transport High Schools, METRANS LLC (Polonia), and international organisations, including Eurasian Economic Commission (EAEC), EU General Directorate for mobility and transport (DG MOVE), UIC, International Association “Trans-Caspian International Trans- port Route” and OSJD Committee.

The agenda included the issues for deliberation as follows:

• monitoring the implementation of Comprehensive plans for improvement of transportation and development of OSJD railway transport corridors Nos. 1-13 until 2020;
• drafting an OSJD Leaflet “Regulation for formation and completion of a Comprehensive plan for improvement of transportation and development of an OSJD railway transport corridor”;
• drafting new Comprehensive plans for improvement of transportation and development of OSJD railway transport corridors until 2030;
• drafting an OSJD Leaflet “Regulation for formation and completion of the technical and operational certificate of the OSJD railway transport corridor”;
• exchange of information on the measures to implement the provisions of Memorandum of Cooperation in the field of technical, operational and commercial development of OSJD railway transport corridors Nos. 1-13;
• proposals from OSJD member countries on the inclusion of new lines in the OSJD railway transport corridors;
• analysis of delay causes of passenger trains and yard time of freights at the border stations for 2019 and development of measures aimed at facilitation of border crossing;
• progress of work on draft OSJD Leaflet on a single methodology of yard time and delays of wagons at the border stations and a classifier of causes for delays of freight wagons at the border stations;
• progress of implementation of the provisions of Declaration adopted by the VIII Interagency Conference “Best practices of border crossing by rail transport” (22-23 September 2015, Gdansk, Republic of Poland);
• progress of work on the practical implementation of the provisions of Annex 9 “Facilitation of border crossing procedures for international railway traffic” to the International Convention on the Harmonization of Frontier Control of Goods of 1982;
• study of the issues relating to the development of strategy directions for railway transport of the OSJD member countries;
• study of the issues relating to the experience and analysis of reforms taking place on the railway transport in the OSJD member countries in conjunction with information being published on the OSJD Website;
• information on the work done by the OSJD/ ERA Contact Group on the interaction of the 1520-mm/1435-mm railway systems;
• progress in the improvement and preparation for publication of the OSJD Bulletin of Statistical Data on Railway Transport for 2019;
• formation process of the key performance indicators of OSJD railway transport corridors Nos. 1-13 for 2019;
• suggestions for and approval of OSJD Leaflet R 305/1 “OSJD Glossary”;
• progress in the development of methodology for estimating the indicator “Train operation value in view of locomotive weight”;
• review of the process and approval of the results of work on administration and augmentation of OSJD STEI ADB stock, and formation and use of information resources of STEI Centers;
• process of formation and use of thematic bibliographies;
• process of deliberation and approval of the work results on development and administration of the web-page of the OSJD member countries’ STEI Centers on the OSJD Web- site in the Internet;
• Updates of the digital version of the address directory of STEI Centers.

The meeting participants considered and agreed on the Work Plan of the OSJD Commission on Transport Policy and Development Strategy for 2021 and OSJD Work Programme for 2022 and the years to come in the field of transport policy and development strategy, having also approved the draft “Report on the working results of the OSJD Commission on Transport Policy and Development Strategy for 2020”.

OSJD Committee meeting No. 5/2020

A scheduled meeting of the OSJD Committee’s members took place on 12 October 2020. The meeting had a mixed format, with some members physically present at the OSJD Committee offices in Warsaw and others attending virtually through a videoconferencing system. The participating members of the Committee represented a total of 22 OSJD countries.

The meeting attendees reviewed and approved without demur the following documents:

- Report on the 2 March 2020 Consultative Meeting on the topic “Terminological study of combined, intermodal, and multimodal transport operations;”

- Report on the 26-26 June 2020 expert meeting of the OSJD PWG on Finance and Accounting;

- Report on the 29-30 June 2020 expert meeting of the OSJD Commission on Transport Policy and Development Strategy on the topic “Development of measures to facilitate border crossing in international railway freight traffic in Eurasia;”

- Report on the 1-2 July 2020 expert meeting of the OSJD Commission on Infrastructure and Rolling Stock on Topic No. 1 “Interoperability requirements and gauges of rolling stock in international traffic;”

- Report on the 14-15 July 2020 expert meeting of the OSJD Committee on Freight Traffic on the topic “Organization of combined transport operations in international traffic;”

- Report on the 21-22 July 2020 meeting of the OSJD-UIC Joint Group for the conversion of joint OSJD-UIC leaflets into draft International Railway Solutions (IRS);”

- Report on the 27-28 July 2020 meeting of the AHWG of the OSJD Commission on Transport Law on the topic of documents of title;

- Report on the 29-31 July 2020 expert meeting of the OSJD Commission on Transport Law on SMGS-related issues;

- Report on the 4-6 August 2020 16^th meeting of the OSJD AHWG on Vocational Training in Railway Transport;

- Report on the 10-14 August 2020 meeting of Group I railways on finalization of timetables, passenger train formation schemes, and railcar allocations in international traffic for 2020/2021;

- Report on the 18-21 August 2020 expert meeting of the OSJD Commission on Transport Law on technical requirements to the placement and fastening of railway freight;

- Report on the 25-28 August 2020 expert meeting of the OSJD Commission on Transport Law on the Rules for the Transport of Dangerous Goods;

- Report on the 1-2 September 2020 expert meeting of the OSJD Commission on Transport Policy and Development Strategy on the topic “IT-based collaboration in the area of research, technical, and economic information (RTEI);”

- Report on the 1-3 September 2020 expert meeting of the OSJD Commission on Transport Law on SMPS-related issues;

- Report on the 8-11 September 2020 expert meeting of the OSJD Commission on Freight Traffic on the topic “Organization of high-capacity container transport in international traffic;”

- Report on the 7-8 September 2020 meeting of Group II railways on the drafting and concurring passenger train timetables, train formation schemes, and railcar allocations in international traffic for 2020/2021;

- Report on the 9-10 September 2020 expert meeting of the PWG CI on the topic “Security of information resources and information and telecommunication infrastructure;”

- Report on the 17-18 September 2020 expert meeting of the OSJD Commission on Infrastructure and Rolling Stock on sub-topic 2.3 “Comprehensive diagnostics of railway track” of topic No. 2 “Railway track and structures;”

- Report on the 21-22 September 2020 expert meeting of the OSJD Commission on Infrastructure and Rolling Stock on topic No. 4 “Power supply and electric traction systems;”

- Report on the 21-23 September 2020 meeting of representatives of the Parties to the PGW Agreement on the topic “Improvement of the Agreement on the Use of Freight Wagons in International Traffic (PGW);”

- Report on the 22-24 September 2020 expert meeting of the OSJD Commission on Transport Policy and Development Strategy on statistics in railway transport and the 2019 Bulletin of OSJD Statistical Data on Railway Transport;”

- Report on the 23-24 September 2020 expert meeting of the OSJD Commission on Infrastructure and Rolling Stock on sub-topic 2.4 “Reinforced concrete sleepers, beams, turnout points, and their diagnostics” of topic No. 2 “Railway track and structures;”

- Report on the 1-2 October 2020 expert meeting of the OSJD Commission on Passenger Traffic on the topic “Systems used for seat reservation, passenger information services, general passenger services, and financial report generation;”

- Report on the 3-4 September 2020 expert meeting of the OSJD Commission on Infrastructure and Rolling Stock on sub-topic 2.2 “Review of a set of issues associated with subgrade and artificial structures” of topic No. 2 “Railway track and structures;”

- Report of the 1-2 October 202 expert meeting of the OSJD Commission on Infrastructure and Rolling Stock on sub-topic 5.2 “Wagons” of topic No. 5 “Railway rolling stock. Technical requirements to its elements;”

- Report on the 6-9 October 2020 virtual annual meeting of the OSJD Commission on Freight Traffic;

- Report on the 7-8 July 2020 virtual OSJD-ESCAP joint expert meeting on the challenges and opportunities in international railway traffic on the Trans-Asian Railway Network during the COVID-19 pandemic;

- Report on OSJD’s participation in the 15 July 2020 International Online Business Forum “Development of Eurasian Multimodal Transport in the New Economic Paradigm” and in the 28 July 2020 International Videoconference Trans-Eurasian Container Services in China-Europe-China Connection;

- Report on the participation in the 26-27 August 2020 Virtual Expert Group Meeting on Legal Frameworks for Multimodal Transport Operations in Asia and the Pacific;”

- Report on the participation in the 24 September 2020 virtual CCTT/TSIOAJ VI Business Forum “Trans-Siberian Railway in the Eurasian transport system: new opportunities and prospects.”

The Meeting addressed the distribution of the tasks set forth in the decisions of the XXXV session of the Conference of General Directors (Authorized Representatives) of OSJD Railways, and in the decisions of the XLVIII session of the OSJD Ministerial Conference.

The Committee meeting decided to terminate cooperation with the following OSJD affiliated enterprises:

• CTL Logistics LLC,
• KAZPHOSPHATE LLC,
• Eryuan Engineering Group Co, Ltd.
• MALBI,
• ECOLINE LLC.

Final meeting of the OSJD Commission on Freight Traffic

(press-release)

In accordance with the Work Plan of the OSJD Commission on Freight Traffic for 2020, the final annual meeting of the OSJD Commission on Freight Traffic in a videoconference format was held from 6 till 9 October 2020 with the participation of the representatives of railways of the OSJD member countries from: AZD CJSC, ARA, BC, MAV Co., VZD, GR, RAI, KZH, KORAIL, KRG, LDZ, LTG, CFM, UBZD JSC, PKP JSC, RZD JSC, ZSSK Cargo, TDZ, TRK, UTI , UZ, CD Cargo and EVR; OSJD affiliated enterprises – Rail Cargo Hungaria Co., SIGIS LLC, METRANS JSC, Association of Transport High Schools, Eurosib SPb-Transport Systems CJSC, UTLC ERA JSC, Russian Post JSC, Ruscon LLC, CTM LLC, “Center for Cargo Container Traffic TransContainer” PJSC, “Digital Logistics” LLC, Unicom Transit JSC and “PLASKE” JSC; international organisations - UNESCAP, UPU, WCO, EAEC, UIC, CCTT, TMTM, as well as the OSJD Committee.

As part of the agenda, the working results of the OSJD Commission on Freight Traffic in 2020 were considered on the following topics:

- Organisation of combined transport in international traffic;

- Improving the Agreement on the Unified Transit Tariff (ETT) and updating the ETT Tariff;

- Improving the Agreement on the International Railway Transit Tariff (MTT) and updating the MTT Tariff;

- Improving the Agreement on the use of freight wagons in international traffic (PGW).

- Updating the Harmonized Nomenclature of Goods (GNG);

- Updating the List of Freight Stations of OSJD Railways;

- Organisation of international large-capacity container traffic;

- Organisation of transportation of postal items by rail;

- Development of freight traffic using the CIM/SMGS consignment note;

- Works in cooperation with the UNESCAP for the development of container traffic;

- Coordination of timetables for the movement of freight trains of the OSJD railways in international traffic;

- Coordination of the volume of cargo transportation in international traffic;

- Competitiveness and marketing issues.

The Chairperson of the OSJD Commission on Freight Traffic Zubaida Aspayeva informed the meeting participants that most part of the meetings of the Commission in 2020 was organised and held in a videoconference format due to the difficult situation in the world related to the restrictive measures imposed by the countries to prevent the spread of coronavirus infection, and noted that the tasks within the subjects under the approved Work Plan of the OSJD Commission on Freight Traffic for 2020were accomplished by the railways of the OSJD member countries.

It was noted that in the current situation in the world, OSJD members are taking all possible measures to ensure the uninterrupted organisation of railway freight traffic, and today the transportation of goods by rail is carried out in a regular mode.

During the meeting, the draft “Report on the working results of the OSJD Commission on Freight Traffic for 2020” and the Work Plan of the OSJD Commission on Freight Traffic for 2021 were considered and agreed upon.

The meeting participants were informed about the participation in the following CCTT events organised in a videoconference format:

- International virtual business forum “Development of Eurasian multimodal transportation in a new economic paradigm” (15 July 2020), where the following issues were discussed: marketing promotion of railway and multimodal container services of companies participating in the transportation of goods in the China – Europe – China traffic; creating a platform for discussing the possibilities and prospects for realizing the transit potential of the Eurasian continent and searching for mutually beneficial solutions, attracting additional freight volumes for transportation from Europe to China;

- International video conference “Trans-Eurasian container services in the China-Europe traffic” (28 July 2020), the purpose of which was to familiarize European transport and logistics companies and cargo owners with the modern capabilities and advantages of railway and multimodal container services for the delivery of goods from China to Europe and from Europe to China;

- VI-th CCTT/TSIOAJ Business Forum “Trans-Siberian Railway in the system of Eurasian transportation: new opportunities and prospects” (24 September 2020), the purpose of which was to inform the cargo owners and transport and logistics companies of Japan about the advantages of transporting goods from/to Japan along the Trans-Siberian route; presentation of intermodal container services and discussion of the issues related to the optimization of logistics processes (application of a competitive through rate, reduction of transit time, simplification of customs procedures, etc.).

It was noted that the working staff of the Commission prepared and posted onto the OSJD website (www.osjd.org):

- the updated text of the Agreement on the organisational and operational aspects of combined transport in the traffic between Europe and Asia as of 1 October 2020 taking into account the announced amendments;

- updated texts of the ETT Agreement and the ETT Tariff as of 8 September 2020, taking into account the announced changes and amendments;

- updated texts of the Agreement on MTT and MTT Tariff as of 15 September 2020, taking into account the announced changes and amendments;

- the current text of the Agreement on PGW with annexes, being prepared in the course of the amendments and additions coming into force;

- the text of the GNG Nomenclature of Goods as of 1 June 2020;

- the current text of Leaflet O 405 (III-rd edition) as of 1 August 2020;

- up-to-date information on the List of Freight Stations of OSJD Railways in PDF format;

- other documents within the competence of the Commission.

Updating the PGW Agreement

Within the framework of the subject “Updating the Agreement on the use of freight wagons in international traffic, amendments and additions into the Rules for the use of freight wagons in international traffic (PGW)” the virtual meeting of the representatives of the parties to the PGW Agreement was held in the OSJD Committee from 21 till 23 September 2020, which was dedicated to the PGW Agreement updating, introduction of amendments and additions into the PGW Rules and development of a draft document regulating the procedure for identifying the status of jointly used freight wagons for their accounting.

The meeting was attended by the representatives of the Parties to the PGW Agreement from the following OSJD members: railway enterprises and companies of Belarus (BC), Bulgaria (BDZ Holding), Hungary (MAV Co., RCH Co.), Iran (RAI), Kazakhstan (KZH), Latvia (LDZ Cargo), Lithuania (LTG), Moldova (CFM), Mongolia (JSC UBZD), Poland (PKP Cargo, PKP LHS), Russia (Russian Railways OJSC), Uzbekistan (UTI), Ukraine (UZ) and Estonia (EVR), as well as representatives of the OSJD Committee.

This meeting considered the proposals, comments and positions of the Parties to the PGW Agreement in regard to the amendments and additions into the PGW Agreement received from BC, KZH, LDZ Cargo, LTG, PKP Cargo, RZD OJSC, UTI, UZ and EVR.

The proposals to change the rate of payment for the use of freight wagons, bogies and wagons without bogies in international traffic in accordance with Article 7 of the PGW Agreement were not accepted due to the fact that the inflation rate (consumer prices) for 2019 was 0.75% that in accordance with the provisions of clause 1.3.6 of the Methodology of the rate of payment for the use of wagons was not sufficient for indexation.

It was noted that the use of ‘averaged’ depreciation rates will reduce the amount of initial data sent to the railway companies when calculating the rates for the use of freight wagons and, accordingly, it was deemed necessary to prepare changes to the Methodology.

The Parties to the PGW Agreement participating in the meeting agreed on the amendments into Annex B “Rules for the use of freight wagons in international traffic (PGW)” (clauses 3.7, 4.6, 5.1, 6.3.2, 6.7, 17.8.3), into Annex 12 “List of payment rates” to the PGW and Annex 17 “Methodology for calculating the rates of payment for the use of wagons, bogies and wagons without bogies” to the PGW, as well as into Annex B “Meeting Regulations” to the PGW Agreement.

The final decision on the adopted amendments into the PGW Agreement will be announced by the OSJD Committee, being the PGW Agreement depository, on 24 November 2020, with effect from 1 January 2020.

The need to determine the status of shared wagons and create a database for the shared wagons’ identification was also considered. As a result of the discussion, the Parties to the PGW Agreement participating in the meeting noted the existence of a problem in identifying shared wagons, making payments for their use, and agreed to continue considering the issue of developing a draft document which will regulate the procedure for identifying the status of shared freight wagons for their accounting in the next year.

The final coordination of the train timetables of the 1^st group of railways for 2020/2021 has been completed

(press-release)

In accordance with the Work Plan of the OSJD Commission on Passenger Traffic for 2020, a meeting of the 1st group of railways was held in Olomouc (Czech Republic) from 10 till 14 August 2020 with the purpose of development and final coordination of the timetables, coach sequence layouts/indicators of passenger trains and allocation of coaches in them in international traffic for 2020/2021.

The meeting was attended by the representatives of the railways of the OSJD member countries, as well as of the companies operating sleeping coaches and dining cars from the following countries:

Republic of Belarus, Republic of Bulgaria, Hungary, Republic of Lithuania, Republic of Moldova, Republic of Poland, Russian Federation, Slovak Republic, Ukraine, Czech Republic, as well as the OSJD Committee.

It should be noted that after a long period, starting from March 2020, of all meetings and sessions held within the framework of the OSJD working bodies in an online video format, this meeting was held in a mixed face-to-face and correspondence format, where representatives of some railways, who, for certain reasons, could not arrive at the meeting place, took part by using the videoconference mode.

In their welcoming addresses to the meeting participants, Mr. Bastian Libor, representative of the host party – Czech Railways JSC, and Mr. Victor Kashanau, Chairman of the OSJD Commission on Passenger Traffic and Chairman of the meeting, noted the complexity of the current epidemiological situation in the region and in the world as a whole, having caused not only difficulties in organising the meeting, but also having imposed a very negative effect on international passenger transportation, including railway transport. They also expressed their hopes for the soonest restoration of international railway passenger traffic in the interests of all railways and for the benefit of passengers of all OSJD member countries.

The chairman of the meeting has also expressed his gratitude to all the participating railways for their support, efforts, mutual under- standing and the ability to find compromises when compiling and optimizing the timetables for the movement of international passenger trains and direct/through coaches, having also thanked the host party - CD JSC for the excellent organisation of the event in such difficult anti-epidemic measures and restrictions.

As part of the meeting agenda, the development and final approval of timetables, coach sequence layouts/indicators in trains and the provision of coaches in them in international passenger traffic for 2020/2021 was completed, as well as the dates, venues and preliminary agendas of the next meetings of the 1st group of railways were agreed: for the preliminary and final approval of timetables and coach sequence layouts/indicators of passenger trains in international traffic for 2021/2022.

12 subgroups were set up to develop and finally approve the timetables, coach sequence layouts/indicators of passenger trains and allocation of coaches in them in international traffic for 2020/2021, within which representatives of railways considered some specific issues related to the routes, schedules, frequency of running and other details of the international passenger trains movement:

1. MAV, UZ;
2. PKP, BC, RZD;
3. PKP, UZ;
4. UZ, BC;
5. CD, PKP;
6. MAV, ZSSK/ZSR;
7. CD, PKP;
8. ZSSK/ZSR, CD;
9. LTG, PKP;
10. ZSSK/ZSR, PKP; ZSSK/ZSR, UZ;
11. PKP, BC;
12. RZD, BC, PKP,

In addition to that, the meeting considered a number of other issues related to the organisation of international passenger traffic.

PKP JSC informed that in connection with the planned repair works at the Warszawa-Zachodnia station in 2021, the routes of trains No. 67 Kiev-Pass. – Warsaw, No. 125 Brest – Warsaw, No. 127 Brest – Warsaw, No. 128 Warsaw – Brest could be shortened to the station Warszawa-Wschodnia.

CFR Kalator JSC informed Ukrzaliznytsia JSC about the possibility of keeping passenger trains running (of CFR formation) between Romania and Ukraine in the train schedule for 2020/2021 through the border crossing point of Vadul-Siret (Ukraine) – Vikshany (Romania) exclusively under the commercial conditions.

The running of a through coach Kiev – Bucharest (of UZ formation) on the Vadul-Siret – Bucharest – Vadul-Siret section is organised as part of train No. 381/380 Vadul-Siret – Bucharest (of CFR formation).

Taking into account the low passenger traffic volumes, the Romanian side plans to cancel the above mentioned train movement in the train schedule for 2020/2021, which excludes the possibility of organising the Kiev-Bucharest connection due to the lack of alternative proposals.

Basing on the available passenger traffic, the railway administrations of ÖBB, MAV START Co. and ZU have approved in the train schedule for 2020/2021 the running of the third through coach No. 23/433 (of UZ formation) in the Kiev-Vienna service in trains No. 749/145/32519/140-149/32510/146/750, taking into account weekends and holidays (Ukraine – Hungary – Austria).

The PKP PLK and the PKP Intercity JSC together with the Ukrzaliznytsya JSC have developed a timetable for train No. 67/68 Kiev – Warsaw in the train schedule for 2020/2021 with a shortened travel time reduced by: when traveling to Warsaw - 1 hour 31 minutes, when traveling back - 11 minutes, which could result positively in the increase of passenger traffic in this direction.

When discussing the issues of through coaches running in the traffic Moscow/Minsk – Prague (of FPC JSC and BC formation), it was noted that due to the unfavorable epidemiological situation associated with the spread of a new coronavirus infection (COVID-19), the train operation on this route has been temporarily suspended since March this year in order to counter the spread of the pandemic. Thus, the operation scale of these through coaches in the 2019/2020 schedule has not been implemented in full. A correct assessment of the economic efficiency of this route will be possible only by using the results of the annual traffic schedule, taking into account the different periods of passenger demand for transportation.

Taking into account the objective causes that influenced the transportation of passengers on the route Moscow – Prague, the route participants considered the procedure for running through coaches Moscow/Minsk – Prague in the train schedule for 2020/2021.

The traffic resumption by through coaches on the route Moscow/Minsk – Prague will become possible after the decision of the state authorities of the concerned countries is taken to lift all restrictive measures imposed for the cross-border traffic.

In the train schedule for 2020/2021 due to the limits imposed on the throughput volumes on the section of Warszawa-Zachodnia – Warszawa-Centralna in connection with the repair works underway, train No. 128 on the route Warsaw – Brest in the 2020/2021 schedule will be running as follows: in the period from 13.12.2020 till 13.03.2021 in communication Warszawa-Centralna – Brest departing from Warszawa-Centralna station at 07.40. Train No. 127 on the route Brest – Warsaw in the period from 13.12.2020 till 13.03.2021 will run on the Brest-Warszawa-Wschodnia section. Starting from 14.03.2021 trains No. 128/127 will be running on the section Warszawa-Wschodnia – Brest.

The operation of the Bpmz coach No. 349 of MAV-START as part of the train No. 130/131 at this stage has been agreed upon between the stations Budapest-Nyugati – Terespol – Budapest-Nyugati, but it was also noted that if the official approval from BC is obtained, then the route of this coach will be extended to the station of Brest and back.

The PKP Intercity JSC has expressed its interest in launching a direct train No. 139/140 “Niemcewicz” on the Warsaw-Minsk-Warsaw route in the 2020/2021 schedule, provided that the daily running of BC sleeping coaches between the capitals of Poland and Belarus is ensured.

Referring to the ZSSK letter regarding the works in progress at the Zilina station, and due to the delay in the launch of train No. 134/135 “Kormoran” Zilina – Olsztyn – Zilina within the 2020/2021 timetable, the PKP Intercity JSC informed that this would lead to the cancellation of train No. 420/421 “Rozewie” running on the route Zilina – Gdynia-Gl. – Zilina (its operation is interconnected with the operation of the “Kormoran” train).

The meeting approved the agenda for the next meeting of the 1st group of railways on the preliminary coordination of the timetables, coach sequence layouts/indicators of passenger trains and allocation of coaches in them in international traffic for 2021/2022 to be held on 10-14 May 2021 in the Czech Republic, as well as for the meeting on the final coordination of the timetables to be held from 9 till 13 August 2021, having requested ZSSK to confirm the possibility of holding this meeting in Slovakia in 2021.

Improvement of the MTT Agreement and updating of the MTT Tariff

The topic “Improvement of the MTT Agreement and updating of the MTT Tariff” was addressed at Meeting XXXI of the representatives of the Parties to the MTT Agreement that was organised by the OSJD Committee and held as a videoconference on 23-24 June 2020.

The meeting was attended by representatives of the Parties to the MTT Agreement from AZD CJSC (AZ), BC, GR, “KTZ NC” JSC (KZH), “KTZ NC” SE (KRG), LDZ, LG, CFM, UBZD JSC, Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation (Mintrans of Russia), ROT SUE (TDZ), UTI JSC, Ministry of Infrastructure of Ukraine, CD JSC (CD Cargo), and EVR JSC; as well as by such observers as representatives of KORAIL, OSJD affiliated enterprises – UTLC ERA JSC, CTM LLC, TransContainer PJSC, PLASKE JSC, CCTT, and OSJD Committee (for a total of 51 participants).

In his welcome address to the meeting participants, Executive Secretary of the OSJD Committee Mr. Attila Kiss noted the importance of holding the meeting in a global situation that was highly complicated both epidemiologically and economically. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss such a pressing issue as freight rates for international rail transport. Mr. Kiss wished the participants success and a productive meeting.

In line with the agenda, the meeting reviewed the following items:

• implementation status of the decisions made at the XXX meeting of the Parties to the MTT Agreement (St. Petersburg, Russian Federation, 25-28 June 2019);
• proposals on improving the Agreement made by the Parties to the MTT Agreement (amendments and supplements);
• proposals on improving the MTT made by the Parties to the MTT Agreement (amendments and additions).

The meeting participants representing the Parties to the MTT Agreement reviewed the proposals and comments submitted by the Parties to the MTT Agreement with regard to:

• improving the MTT Agreement received from AZ, the Ministry of Infrastructure of Ukraine, EVR, and the OSJD Committee as the depositary of the MTT Agreement;
• updating the MTT received from AZ, BC, the Ministry of Transport of Russia, UTI, the Ministry of Infrastructure of Ukraine, EVR, and the OSJD Committee as the depositary of the MTT Agreement.

As a result of the discussions, the Parties to the MTT Agreement agreed modifications and additions to the MTT Agreement and the MTT proper.

The OSJD Committee as the depositary of the MTT Agreement followed the proper procedure and declared:

• agreed modifications and additions to the MTT Agreement effective as of 15 July and 15 August 2020;
• agreed modifications and additions to the MTT effective as of 15 July and 15 August 2020.

The meeting participants were informed of a notification received from KTZ-Cargo JSC in reference to the enactment, for the period from 1 April through 31 December 2020, of a 0.40 reduction factor to be applied to the rates of an extra charge of Section III “Additional charges and other payments” of the MTT, the charge for changing the bogies of a loaded or empty wagon not owned by the carrier for bogies of a different track gauge at the Dostyk border station.

The representative of UTLC ERA, an OSJD affiliated enterprise, presented the participants with information about the launch of the Eurasian Rail Alliance Index (ERAI), a railway transit index that had been introduced by the UTLC ERA JSC in October 2018 in order to provide each client with current and transparent information on the cost of container transport by rail between China and Europe. Real-time information is available at www.index1520. com. There had simply been no tool of this kind before the introduction of the ERAI index. ERAI provides the indicative costs of railway transit services on the 1520 railway system.

To supplement the index, a decision had been made to launch a set of sub-indices to provide indication of the costs of carrying a container in either direction, i.e. from the West to the East (ERAI U-East), and from the East to the West (ERAI U-West).

Why ERAI is valuable:

• A single indicator of the state of the sector that can be used by all market players;
• A go-to indicator used to estimate the cost of a contract for transport and logistics services (TLS);
• An analytical and decision-making tool used for choosing the right freight delivery method;
• An exchange tool for making forward con

Work had been completed to launch the ERAI Index Portal.

All features of the Portal were introduced to the meeting participants, with the following features given special highlights:

• a vast statistical database on the traffic between China and Europe in both directions;
• freight transport cost calculator;
• carbon emission (CO2) meter;
• an infrastructure guide on the 1520

The full scope of the ERAI Index Portal functionality can be tried today at https://index1520.com/

The ERAI index is also available on the Freight web portal of the OSJD. The currency of the index is supported by the OSJD affiliated enterprise CTM LLC that uses regular updates provided by the UTLC ERA JSC.

The updated versions of the MTT Agreement and the MTT Tariff as of 15 August 2020 have been posted onto the OSJD Freight Web Portal and onto the OSJD website (www. https://osjd.org).

The meeting agreed the addition to the 2021 Work Plan of the OSJD Commission on Freight Traffic of an item on further improving the MTT Agreement and updating the MTT.

Organisation of high-capacity container traffic between Europe and Asia

Within the subject “Organisation of high-capacity container traffic between Europe and Asia,” the question of drafting a document on the rules for organisation of container carriage on international container trains was addressed. To discuss the subject, two expert meetings of the OSJD Commission on Freight Traffic were conducted.

On 18-19 February 2020, an expert meeting was conducted at the OSJD Committee premises in Warsaw that was attended by the representatives of the following OSJD rail- ways: AZD CJSC, BC, “KTZ NC” JSC (KZH), UBZD JSC, RZD OJSC, Ukrzaliznytsia JSC (UZ), and EVR JSC, as well as by the representatives of the OSJD affiliated enterprises – UTLC ERA JSC and TransContainer PJSC, and the international organisations – CCTT and OSJD Committee (for a total of 24 attendees).

In line with the adopted agenda, the meeting discussed the following items:

• growth dynamics of carriage by international container trains;
• legal status of a document setting the rules for the organisation of carriage of containers by international container trains;
• draft document on the rules for the organisation of carriage of containers by international container

The delegations from AZD CJSC, BC, KZH, UBZD JSC, RZD OJSC, UZ, and EVR presented up-to-date information on freight carriage by container trains in 2019, and on their new transport service products.

As a result of discussions, the meeting participants arrived at the opinion that a document needed to be developed that would determine a procedure for organising the of carriage of containers by international container trains, and discussed the proper legal status of such a document.

The meeting participants discussed a range of suggestions and made comments on a draft document on the rules for organising the carriage of containers by international container trains. The draft had been developed by the leading duty holder RZD OJSC and incorporated the comments received from the OSJD railways AZD CJSC, BC, LG, UBZD JSC, PKP JSC, RZD OJSC, UTI, UZ, and EVR.

On 16-17 June 2020, the OSJD Commit- tee organised an expert meeting of the OSJD Commission on Freight Traffic in the format of a videoconference. The meeting was attended by representatives of the OSJD railways AZD CJSC, BC, KTZ NC JSC (KZH), CFM, UBZD

JSC, PKP JSC, RZD OJSC, Ukrzaliznytsia JSC (UZ), and EVR JSC, as well as by representatives of the OSJD affiliated enterprises UTLC ERA JSC and TransContainer PJSC, and representatives of the OSJD Committee (for a total of 51 attendees).

The meeting discussed comments and suggestions on the draft document on the rules for organising the carriage of containers by international container trains.

The next round of the discussion on the legal status of the document was conducted, with most meeting participants speaking in favor of a mandatory legal status of the document.

The meeting reviewed the draft “Agreement on the carriage of containers by international container trains” that had been preliminarily agreed by a majority of the meeting participants. Also reviewed was the draft structure of the “Rules for the carriage of containers by container trains” presented by the leading duty holder – RZD OJSC. The draft incorporated all the received comments and suggestions and was agreed.

Finalization of the draft document on the rules for organising the carriage of containers by international container trains was scheduled to take place at the 8-11 September 2020 expert meeting in the format of a videoconference of the OSJD Commission on Freight Traffic on the subject “Organisation of the carriage of high-capacity container traffic between Europe and Asia.

Coordination of international freight train timetables

In line with the 2020 Work Plan of the OSJD Commission on Freight Traffic, a meeting organised by the OSJD Committee was held in the format of a videoconference on 4-5 June 2020 on the subject of “Coordination of inter- national freight train timetables” to discuss the issues of coordination of the amounts of international freight train traffic, and tentative coordination of international freight train timetables for 2020/2021.

The meeting was attended by representatives of railway undertakings, carriers, and railway operators from the following countries: Republic of Belarus (BC), Hungary Cargo Polska JSC), Russian Federation (RZD OJSC), Romania (CFR JSC, CFR Marfa JSC), Republic of Slovakia (ZSR, ZSSK Cargo), Republic of Slovenia (SZ), Ukraine (UZ), Czech Republic (CD Cargo, SZDC), as well as “KTZ NC” JSC (as an observer), and the OSJD Committee (for a total of 36 participants).

The meeting participants addressed the following agenda items:

• proposals from the railways on the drafting and agreeing the amounts of freight train traffic, and tentatively agreeing international freight train timetables for 2020/2021;
• agreeing the dates, venue, and provisional agenda for the next meeting in

At the recommendation of the OSJD Committee, subgroup sessions had been organised prior to the meeting. The subgroup sessions brought together railway undertakings, carriers, and railway operators to draft and agree the amounts of freight train traffic on European railway and Group I of OSJD railways, as well as through border crossings for 2020/2021. The sessions tentatively coordinated the amounts of freight train traffic.

The outcomes of the Subgroups’ meetings were reported by representatives of BC, PKP PLK JSC, PKP Cargo JSC, DB Cargo Polska JSC, RZD OJSC, and UZ. Based on the suggestions from railway companies, carriers, and railway operators, the amounts of freight train traffic through border crossings were agreed for 2020/2021.

Based on the suggestions from railway companies, carriers, and railway operators, the meeting participants drafted and agreed the amounts of European freight train traffic, and the amounts of freight traffic by Group I railways of OSJD member countries through border crossings for 2020/2021.

Requests for coordinated freight train paths through border crossings for 2020/2021 were presented as the commonly accepted International Timetable Coordination forms.

The meeting participants noted that that issues involved in the development and coordination of international freight train timetables need to be addressed not only among the railways of OSJD member countries, but also among other European railways. In this context, the value of inviting representatives of the relevant European railway, operators, and companies from non- OSJD member countries was confirmed.

In the course of discussions, the meeting participants put a special emphasis on the importance and necessity of engaging representatives of KTZ NC (KZH), Chinese Railways State Corporation (KZD), and Ulan Bator Railway JSC (UBZD JSC) as participants in meetings addressing the issue of the development and coordination of the amounts of freight train traffic, and tentative coordination of international freight train timetables of European railways and Group I railways of OSJD member countries for 2021/2022, since their participation would result in more efficient planning and operation of international container trains.

The meeting approved supplementing the draft 2021 Work Plan of the OSJD Commission on Freight Traffic with work items on the development and coordination of the amounts of freight train traffic, and tentative coordination of freight train timetables of European railways and Group I railways of OSJD member countries passing through border crossings for 2021/2022.

The meeting agreed a provisional agenda for next meeting in 2021, suggesting that the next meeting on the topic be held in May 2021.

Improvement of the Agreement on the Use of Freight Wagons in International Traffic (the PGW Agreement)

Within the topical area “Improvement of the Agreement on the Use of Freight Wagons in International Traffic ; modifications and additions to the Rules for the Use of Freight Wagons in International Traffic (PGW),” two meetings were held in conformance with the approved 2020 Work Plan of the OSJD Commission on Freight Traffic. The meetings were organised by the OSJD Committee as online videoconferences.

On 12-13 May 2020, a meeting of the Working Group of the Parties to the PGW Agreement took place. The WG meeting was attended by the representatives of the Parties to the PGW Agreement from BC, “KTZ NC” JSC (KZH), LG, PKP Cargo JSC, RZD JSC, ZSSK Cargo, UTI JSC, Ukrzaliznytsia JSC (UZ), and EVR JSC. Also in attendance were representatives of MAV Zrt., Rail Cargo Hungaria CJSC (an OSJD affiliated enterprise), and the OSJD Committee (for a total of 53 participants).

The meeting discussed the following items:

• review of the data provided by the Parties to the PGW Agreement for the purposes of calculating draft rates for the use of freight wagons, bogies, and bogieless wagons in international traffic;
• review of the materials prepared by the leading duty holder, and developing proposals on updating Annex 12 to the

The RZD OJSC being a leading duty holder on the subject presented its preliminary analysis of the 2019 data provided by the Parties to the PGW Agreement for the purpose of calculating the rates of charges for the use of freight wagons in international traffic.

As an outcome of its preliminary analysis, the leading duty holder noted that the results of the calculations had been affected by significant deviations in the data provided by some railway companies in terms of wagon maintenance costs, depreciation rates, and wagon book values.

The leading duty holder presented the results of preliminary calculated rates of charges for the use of freight wagons, bogies, and bogieless wagons in international traffic. The calculations had been performed based on the 2019 data provided by the Parties to the PGW Agreement, incorporating the adjustments proposed both previously as part of the routine work and during the meeting.

The meeting acknowledged that the calculations had been duly performed as required by the effective PGW Annex 17 “Method of calculating the rates of charges for the use of wagons, bogies, and bogieless wagons.”

Preliminary results were obtained in the form of draft rates of charges for the use of freight wagons, bogies, and bogieless wagons in international traffic.

The results of adjusted calculations of the rates were scheduled to be reviewed at the September 2020 meeting of representatives of the Parties to the PGW Agreement, to be followed by a decision under paragraph 19.4 of the PGW.

At the September 2020 meeting of representatives of the Parties to the PGW Agreement, the participants suggested a detailed review of the received proposals on updating the PGW Agreement and PGW Annex 17 “Method…”.

On 1-3 June 2020, an expert meeting of the Parties to the PGW Agreement was held on the topics “Drafting a procedure for identifying the statuses of jointly used freight wagons for the purposes of their accounting,” and “Review of suggestions received from Parties to the PGW Agreement, and updating Annexes 9 and 17 to the PGW.” The meeting was attended by representatives of the Parties to the PGW Agreement from BC, KTZ NC JSC (KZH), LDZ Cargo LLC, LG, PKP Cargo JSC, RZD OJSC, ZSSK Cargo, UTI JSC, Ukrzaliznytsia JSC, and EVR, as well as MAV Zrt, Rail Cargo Hungaria CJSC (an OSJD affiliated enterprise), and the OSJD Committee (for a total of 52 participants).

The meeting’s agenda included the following items:

• drafting a document regulating the procedure for the identification of the statuses of jointly used freight wagons for the purposes of their accounting;
• review of suggestions received from Par- ties to the PGW Agreement on updating Annexes 9 and 17 to the

In the course of the discussions, the meeting participants noted that the current procedure required by the PGW to identify the jointly used fleet needs to be updated, and technical solutions based on IT technologies need to be implemented. In this context, it suggested that the 2021 Work Plan of the OSJD Commission on Freight Traffic be supplemented with the topic of creating an electronic database on the PGW wagons in joint use.

No suggestions had been received in writing from the Parties to the PGW Agreement with regard to updating PGW Annex 9.

In the course of the meeting, the representative of RZD noted that in order to ensure the correct calculation of wagon usage rates, the list of wagon types contained in PGW Annex 9 should be updated.

In order to update Annex 17 to the PGW “Method for calculating the rates charged for the use of wagons, bogies, and bogieless wagons,” the meeting participants reviewed the proposals submitted by RZD OJSC, and agreed, by a simple majority, modifications to sections 1.3.4 (BC, PKP Cargo, and ZSSK Cargo voting against), 1.3.6 and 3.7 (BC, UTI, and UZ voting against) of the Method. The deletion of section 3.7 of the Method necessitates making modifications to PGW Annex 12.

Under PGW Annex 17, depreciation charges are accrued based on the wagon’s replacement value that is derived from the service life of a particular wagon type. It was noted that OSJD had no documents regulating the service lives of particular types of wagon. Thus, RZD OJSC suggested supplementing the Method with a set of uniform standards for service lives applicable to wagons of each type and average depreciation rates.

In the course of discussions, the meeting participants deemed it possible to make a preliminary calculation of such average depreciation rates by wagon types, and requested RZD OJSC to prepare respective materials summarizing the application by the Parties to the PGW Agreement of depreciation rates based on the service lives of wagons.

The meeting participants reviewed RZD OJSC’s proposal on updating the PGW.

In addition, the meeting participants preliminarily agreed some amendments and additions to the PGW.

AWG meeting in the field of the Rules for the Transportation of Dangerous Goods

 This meeting was held in accordance with the Work Plan of the OSJD Commission on Transport Law from 19 till 22 May 2020 in a video-conference format.

The meeting was attended by members of the AWG from the following countries: Republic of Belarus, Hungary, Republic of Latvia, Republic of Lithuania, Republic of Poland, Russian Federation, Ukraine, Republic of Estonia, as well as the SMGS participants from the Republic of Kazakhstan, Slovak Republic and representatives of Rail Cargo Hungaria CJSC (OSJD affiliated enterprise), OTIF and OSJD Committee.

In his welcoming address to the meeting participants, Deputy Chairman of the OSJD Committee Mikhail Vsevolozhskiy noted the importance of the issues considered by the AWG for harmonizing the Rules for the transportation of dangerous goods in order to remove legal barriers and organise the uninterrupted transportation of dangerous goods in international traffic, especially during the period of restrictive measures imposed to prevent the spread of the coronavirus pandemic infection COVID-19.

During the meeting, preparations were made for:

- draft amendments and addenda to the Rules for the Transportation of Dangerous Goods (Annex 2 to SMGS) in accordance with the amendments and addenda that have taken place in relevant international and national regulations for the transport of dangerous goods, taking into account the operational specifics of the railways of the OSJD member countries;

- draft amendments and additions to Annex 2 to SMGS regarding requirements for the design of tank wagons.

Having considered the draft amendments to the Rules for the Transportation of Dangerous Goods (Annex 2 to SMGS) prepared by the member of the AWG from the Republic of Latvia, being a leading duty holder on the subject, and draft chapter 6.20 of Annex 2 to SMGS regarding the requirements for the design of tanks for tank wagons and for the design of tank wagons submitted by the AWG member from the Russian Federation, the meeting submitted them for consideration by the expert meeting of the OSJD Commission on Transport Law in the field of the Rules for the Transportation of Dangerous Goods, scheduled for 25-28 August 2020.

The meeting participants have delegated the SMGS participant from the Russian Federation to submit the previously reviewed material at the PWG meeting of the RID Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (25-28 November 2019, Austria) at the Joint RID/ADR/ADN meeting (10-18 September 2020, Switzerland).

Amendments to the Unified Transit Tariff Agreement (ETT) and updating the ETT Tariff

The subject “Amendment of the Unified Transit Tariff Agreement (ETT) and updating the ETT Tariff” was addressed at the meeting of representatives of the Parties to the ETT Agreement that was organised by the OSJD Committee and held as a videoconference on 19-20 May 2020.

The meeting was attended by the representatives of the Parties to the ETT Agreement from AZD CJSC (AZ), BC, VZD, GR, KTZ NC JSC (KZH), KZD, KTZ NC SE (KRG), LDZ, CFM, UBZD JSC, Ministry of Trans- port of the Russian Federation (Mintrans of Russia), Rohi Ohani Tochikiston SUE (TDZ), UTI JSC, Ministry of Infrastructure of Ukraine (Mininfrastructure of Ukraine), and EVR JSC; as well as by representatives of KORAIL and LG; OSJD affiliated enterprises UTLC ERA JSC, STM LLC, TransContainer PJSC, PLASKE JSC, and the international organisations - EAEC, CCTT, and OSJD Committee (for a total of 60 attendees).

The meeting was greeted by the Executive Secretary of the OSJD Commission Mr. Attila Kiss who noted the importance of holding the meeting in the challenging global environment to address such pressing issues as international freight carriage tariffs. He wished the participants success and a productive meeting.

The meeting’s agenda included the following items:

• On the implementation status of the decisions made at the 21-24 May 2019 meeting of the Parties to the ETT Agreement at the OSJD Committee offices in Warsaw;
• Review of proposals submitted by the Parties to the ETT Agreement on improving the ETT Agreement (making amendments and additions);
• Review of proposals submitted by the Parties to the ETT Agreement on improving the ETT (making amendments and additions);
• Review of proposals submitted by the Parties to the ETT Agreement on aligning the ETT classes with the updated GNG list of freight types; The meeting participants representing the Parties to the ETT Agreement reviewed the comments and suggestions from the Parties to the ETT regarding the following items:
• improvements to the ETT Agreement suggested by AZ, KZD, Ministry of infra- structure of Ukraine, EVR, and OSJD Committee as the depositary of the ETT Agreement;
• updates to the ETT suggested by AZ, BC, GR, KZH, KZD, UBZD, Mininfrastructure of Ukraine, EVR, and OSJD Committee as the depositary of the ETT Agreement;
• updates to the ETT received from AZ, BC, GR, KZH, KZD, UBZD, Mininfrastructure of Ukraine, EVR, and the OSJD Committee as the depositary of the ETT

As a result of the reviews by the Parties to the ETT Agreement, the modifications and additions to the ETT Agreements and the ETT itself were agreed.

As the depositary of the ETT Agreement, the OSJD Committee followed the due procedure to declare the following:

• agreed modifications to the ETT Agreement with effect as of 10 June and 8 September 2020;
• agreed modifications and additions to the ETT Tariff with effect as of 10 June and 8 September 2020, 1 January

The meeting participants agreed the method for calculating carriage charges in conformance with the requirements of Section III “Calculation and collection of carriage charges” under 1^st tariff class for freight with the new GNG 2020 codes.

The EAEC representatives provided information to the participants on the following items:

• the specifics of completing the customs documentation involved in the carriage of transit postal items by rail from PRC to Western Europe through EAEU countries, and EAEC plans for simplification;
• EAEU decisions to facilitate international freight carriage by rail in the context of restrictions instituted to contain the COVID-19 coronavirus

The representative of UTLC ERA, an OSJD affiliated enterprise, informed the meeting participants of the development work on the concept of the Eurasian Rail Alliance Index (ERAI) that would be analogous to maritime freight rate indices. In view of the growing interest to the index, an ERAI Index Web Portal was launched. The portal offers regularly updated, complete, and reliable information on the current status of the Eurasian Railway Corridor and competing routes, as well as on the prospects for the development of transport links between China and Europe.

The Commission’s support personnel had prepared the updated versions of the ETT Agreement and the ETT proper effective as of 10 June 2020, which versions had been forwarded to the Parties to the ETT Agreement, stakeholder OSJD railways, observers, and OSJD affiliated enterprises.

The updated versions of the ETT Agreement and the ETT Tariff have been posted onto the OSJD Freight Web Portal and onto the OSJD website (www.https://osjd.org).

The meeting participants agreed on adding to the 2021 Work Plan of the OSJD Commission on Freight Traffic of an item on further improvement of the ETT Agreement and updating of the ETT.

54^th OSJD-ERA Contact Group meeting

 The 54^th meeting of the OSJD-ERA Contact Group on the subject “Collaboration between ERA and OSJD on the analysis of the relationship between 1520-mm/1524-mm and 1435-mm rail systems of EU and non-EU states” was held from 12 till 14 May 2020 in a video-conference format with the participation of the representatives of the OSJD member countries, members of the OSJD/ERA Contact Group from Georgia, Republic of Latvia, Republic of Lithuania, Republic of Moldova, Republic of Poland, Russian Federation, Slovak Republic, Ukraine, Republic of Estonia, as well as representatives of the OSJD Committee, ERA, DG MOVE, UIC and Shift2Rail.

Deputy Chairman of the OSJD Committee Mikhail Vsevolozhskiy and ERA Executive Director Josef Doppelbauer thanked the meeting participants for their support in such a difficult situation for all countries caused by the coronavirus pandemic, noting the importance and relevance of serious and practical issues under consideration. to further improve the regulatory framework in the field of railway transport for its further unhindered functioning in the Eurasian space.

 The meeting participants considered the following agenda items:

1. Analysis of the subsystem “Telematic applications for freight traffic”.
2. Analysis of the subsystem “Noise”.
3. Updating the analysis of the subsystems “Locomotives and multiple-unit rolling stock” and “Passenger coaches”.
4. Updating the analysis of the subsystem “Power supply”.
5. Exchange of relevant information and practical experience in order to coordinate measures to maintain and improve existing technical and operational compatibility and unhindered international rail transport (including cross-border traffic and transport safety).
6. Miscellaneous.

 Work on updating GNG and harmonizing GNG and NHM

As part of continued work on updating the GNG, and under the 2020 Work Plan of the OSJD Commission on Freight Traffic, a virtual meeting in the format of a videoconference was held on 22-23 April 2020 to discuss the subjects “Updating the Harmonized Freight Nomenclature (GNG),” and “Updating the List of the OSJD Railways’ Freight Stations.”

It is worth mentioning that the meeting has been the first event of this kind that was held in the format of a videoconference. Consent to using such a format had been received from the railways of the OSJD member countries that use the GNG, in view of the extraordinary circumstances arising from the restrictions intended to prevent the spread of the coronavirus pandemic COVID-19.

Participants in the meeting included representatives of railways from Azerbaijan (AZD CJSC), Afghanistan (ARA), Belarus (BC), Vietnam (VZD), Georgia (GR), Iran (RAI), Kazakhstan (“KTZ NC” JSC) , China (KZD), Republic of Korea (KORAIL), Kyrgyzstan (KRG), Latvia (LDZ), Lithuania (LG^*), Moldova (CFM), Mongolia (UBZD JSC), Russia (RZD OJSC), Tajikistan (TDZ), Uzbekistan (UTI), Ukraine (UZ), Estonia (EVR); experts from the OSJD Permanent Working Group on Coding and Information Technologies (C&IT PWG), representatives of OSJD affiliated enterprises CTM LLC and Unikom Transit JSC; the OSJD Committee, and the president of the UIC NHM/DIUM Management Group (for a total of 53 participants).

Tadeusz Szozda, Chairman of the OSJD Committee, welcomed the participants to the meeting. In his address, he expressed his gratitude to the attendees for their support and solidarity displayed in such a complicated situation affecting all the countries and caused by the corona- virus pandemic. He underscored the importance and urgency of the meeting that had been called to discuss and decide on a range of serious practical issues involved in updating the GNG and the List of Freight Stations on the railways of OSJD member countries, which was critical for ensuring unhindered carriage of freight in international traffic. He wished the participants a successful and productive meeting.

In view of the global situation shaped by the restrictions aimed to prevent the spread of the coronavirus infection, and, as a consequence, the need to change the format of the meeting so that it support remote work, the meeting approved holding the meeting of the OSJD Commission in the format of a videoconference in order to adhere to the 2020 Work Plan of the OSJD Commission on Freight Traffic.

The meeting participants con- firmed that the videoconference format used for the meeting ensured compliance with safety standards and protecting the health of the participants, as well as supported keeping a record of the discussions and documenting the meeting’s outcomes, and therefore fully met the requirements of the OSJD foundational documents.

In conformance with the meeting agenda, the following items were addressed:

• implementation status of the decisions in the topical areas “Updating the Harmonized Nomenclature of Freight (GNG)” and “Updating the List of Freight Stations on OSJD Railways” taken by the yearend meeting of the OSJD Commission on Freight Traffic at the OSJD Committee Offices in Warsaw on 8-11 October 2019;
• information on the outcomes of the annual meeting of the UIC NHM/DIUM Management Group held in Paris, France, on 26-27 February 2020;
• proposals from OSJD railways on updating the GNG;
• proposals from railways on the harmonization of the GNG with the NHM of 2020;
• proposals from railways on the topic “Updating the List of Freight Stations on OSJD ”

The meeting participants were informed that the leading duty holder had prepared draft amendments and additions to the GNG based on a review of the following materials: the official electronic version of the EU Combined Nomenclature (CN 2020) effective as of 1 January 2020; the corresponding tables CN 2019/2020; and a comparative analysis of differences between NHM 2019/2020 NHM 2020 provided by the UIC NHM/DIUM Management Group to the leading duty holder and the OSJD Committee.

Experts from OSJD railways had updated OSJD Leaflet O 405 “Terms of reference on the Compilation and Maintenance of the List of Freight Stations on OSJD Railways,” Edition III (Leaflet O 405), and developed and agreed amendments and additions to Section 3 “Alphabetical list of freight stations,” Section 4 “Border crossings,” and Section 6 “Distance Tables” approved by the XXХIV Session of the Conference of General Directors of OSJD Railways (CGD).

By means of an official note, the OSJD Committee in its capacity of the GNG depositary announced the enactment of the approved modifications to Leaflet O 405 on 1 August 2019.

The Commission’s support personnel had prepared an updated version of Leaflet O 405 as of 1 August 2019 and posted it on the OSJD website.

The meeting participants were informed of the outcomes of the annual meeting of the UIC NHM/DIUM Management Group held in Paris on 26-27 February 2020. Attending the meeting were representatives of the OSJD railways and stakeholder affiliated enterprises LG, RZD OJSC, UZ, STM LLC, and the OSJD Committee.

The meeting reviewed such topics as the work of the UIC NHM/DIUM Management Group in 2019; aligning the 2020 NHM with the 2020 Combined Nomenclature of the EU Customs Union; cooperation with the OSJD and UIC, including the alignment of the 2020 NHM and GNG; and updating the DIUM.

In December 2019, the UIC provided data on the changes in the 2020 NHM that had been incorporated into the MS Access database. In addition, MS Excel spreadsheets were com- piled in the official languages – English, German, and French. A comparison chart was also created to elucidate the changes in 2019/2020. The new data was posted at the UIC Extranet site and forwarded to the OSJD committee and the leading duty holder in January 2020. Basing on the data provided by Eurostat, the final version of the 2020 NHM was compiled in January 2020.

After the changes to the NHM were approved by the UIC NHM/DIUM Management Group, the amendments and additions to the NHM went into effect on 1 May 2020. The 2020 NHM was posted on the UIC website in March 2020.

In the course of the meeting, the RZD OJSC – the leading duty holder on GNG issues at the OSJD – suggested discussing the issue of lining up the Combined Nomenclature of the EU Customs Union (CN) and the Foreign Economic Activity Commodity Nomenclature (FEACN).

To ensure the correct classification of goods for the purposes of international transport, the leading duty holder RZD OJSC had performed a correspondence analysis of the Combined Nomenclature of the EU Customs Union and the Foreign Economic Activity Commodity Nomenclature (FEACN). As a result, the two nomenclatures were found to mismatch by over 700 values (no codes in either nomenclature, different percent values of the components of commodities having the same code, etc.).

To address this problem, RZD OJSC submitted its proposals on aligning the FEACN and the CN to the Eurasian Economic Commission (EAEC).

The Commission meeting reviewed the proposals of OSJD railways on updating the GNG, and decided to incorporate the agreed amendments and additions into the set of draft 2020 GNG amendments and additions developed by the leading duty holder in view of the changes in 2020 NHM.

In compliance with the procedure set forth in paragraph 2, Article IV of the OSJD Committee’s Terms of Reference, the modifications and additions to the Harmonized Freight Nomenclature (GNG) were enacted on 1 June 2020.

The OSJD Committee published the updated version of the GNG effective as of 1 June 2020. The version had been prepared for publication by the leading duty holder. Certified copies of the updated version of the GNG were forwarded to all OSJD railways, stakeholder observers, and OSJD affiliated enterprises.

The GNG version with effect as of 1 June 2020 is available at the OSJD Freight Portal and at the OSJD website (www.https://osjd.org).

The meeting participants noted the importance of continued cooperation between the OSJD and the UIC NHM/DIUM Management Group for completing the harmonization of the GNG and NHM.

Working visit to the OSJD Committee of the First Secretary of the Embassy of the Republic of India in the Republic of Poland

(press-release)

First Secretary of the Embassy of the Republic of India in the Republic of Poland, Mr. Parikshat Kadan, paid a working visit to the OSJD Committee in Warsaw on 26 February 2020.

Welcoming the esteemed guest, Deputy Chairman of the OSJD Committee, Mikhail Vsevolozhskiy, informed him about the current OSJD activities and future challenges. In particular, he noted the importance of work on harmonizing the transport law, the spreading implementation of the unified CIM/SMGS consignment note, the expansion of the use of modern information technologies in the transportion of passengers and goods, the work for the creation of the Convention on Direct International Railway Traffic lasting for many years, the adoption of which will deepen the harmonization of transport law to provide higher technical compatibility in order to develop freight and passenger transportation on the railways of the OSJD member countries.

Mr. Parikshat Kadan informed about the interest of India in cooperation with the OSJD and provided a brief information on the country’s railway transport. In particular, he noted that railways are one of the most popular modes of transport in India. The total length of the road network is 63,140 kilometers, which provides the fourth ranking in the world in this parameter. About 6 billion people and 350 million tons of goods are transported by railways in India per year. The owner of almost the entire railway industry is the state-owned Indian Railways, under the management of the Indian Ministry of Railways. The Indian Railways employ more than 1.6 million people.

India has railway connections with Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh, provided by the common track gauge with a width of 1676 mm. In Sri Lanka, the tracks are of the same gauge, while the traffic is provided by ferry. There is also a connection with Iran and other countries by sea.

In conclusion, the parties noted that the entry of India into the OSJD could become a new serious impetus in the development of international railway transport both in the South-Asian region and throughout the whole OSJD area.

The outcomes of the AWG work on vocational education/training in the field of railway transport for the period of March 2019 - March 2020

(press-release)

The Ad hoc Working Group (AWG) on vocational education/training in the field of railway transport has been established in accordance with the decision of session XLIII of the OSJD Ministerial Conference (2-5 June 2015, Ulan Bator, Mongolia). The AWG is composed of the representatives from: Hungarian State Railways CJSC, Georgian Railway JSC, Ministry of Industry and Infrastructure Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan, “Kazakhstan Temir Zholy National Company” JSC, Korean Railroad Corporation KORAIL, “Railway of Moldova” State Enterprise, Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation, Russian Railways OJSC, Ukrainian Railway JSC, Uzbek Railways JSC (Ozbekiston temir yollari), as well as OSJD affiliated enterprises: Association of Transport High Schools, Beijing Jiaotong University, “PLASKE” JSC, CTM LLC, TransContainer PJSC, South-West Jiaotong University (city of Chengdu).

The representative of the Ukrainian side is the chairman/chairperson of the AWG on vocational education/training in the field of railway transport, the representative of the Association of Transport High Schools is the AWG deputy chairman.

Three meetings of the AWG were held during the year: meeting XIII (3-5 July 2019, OSJD Committee) and meeting IV of the AWG (12-14 November 2019, OSJD Committee) were chaired by the representative of PLASKE JSC, and meeting XV (3-5 March 2020, OSJD Committee) was chaired by the representative of Ukrzaliznytsia JSC. The confirmation of the Ukrainian side on the chairmanship in the AWG and the candidacy of the chairman of the AWG were presented by the Ministry of Infrastructure of Ukraine in accordance with paragraph 1 of Article IV of the Rules of Procedure of the AWG on vocational education/training in the field of railway transport.

Following the decision of session XLVI of the OSJD Ministerial Conference (paragraph 9 of the Protocol of session XLVI of the OSJD Ministerial Conference held on 4-6 June 2019 in the capital city of Tashkent, Republic of Uzbekistan) The AWG was instructed:

1) to continue working on:

- the development of draft standard programmes for education, advanced training and personnel training in the field of application of OSJD documents basing on the subjects proposed by the AWG and approved by the OSJD member countries;

- organisation of pilot training projects in the field of the OSJD documents’ application;

- development of the draft “OSJD Academy Regulations” and other draft documents related to its operation;

- development of the OSJD Internet information resource to popularize the issues of vocational education/training in the field of railway transport;

- organisation of conferences and seminars in the field of education/training;

2) use in their activities the Recommendations developed by the participants of the OSJD High Level Seminar “Challenges and new opportunities for training personnel in the field of international railway traffic in the 21^st century” (14-15 February 2017, Warsaw, Republic of Poland) and the OSJD Conference “Training in the field of railway traffic: new challenges and opportunities for the growth of professional competencies” (22-23 October 2018, Moscow, Russian Federation).

The AWG has completed its work for the preparation of draft Regulations on the OSJD Academy and the procedure for maintaining registers of OSJD documents in the field of vocational training and education, developed by the leading duty holders taking into account the proposals and comments received from the AWG members.

In accordance with the decisions of the OSJD governing bodies, the activities of the OSJD Academy are aimed at achieving the interests of OSJD members and are designed to ensure:

- implementation of the goals of sustainable development of railway transport and the objectives of the Organisation for Cooperation between Railways (OSJD);

- expansion of technical, legal, economic knowledge in the field of railway transport;

- increasing the professional level and quality of knowledge, qualifications, experience, skills of personnel in the field of organisation of railway traffic, including that with the participation of other modes of transport;

- development of cooperation with international organisations in the field of transport and relevant academic institutions;

- popularization and recognition of regulatory and other OSJD documents and their significance at the international level;

- strengthening the OSJD authority at the international level.

The activities of the OSJD Academy are aimed at organising and methodological support of common approaches to training and education on the application of regulatory and other OSJD documents governing the implementation of international railway transport, including with the participation of other modes of transport.

The functions of the OSJD Academy Secretariat have been assigned onto the OSJD Committee.

Approval of the procedure for maintaining OSJD documents’ registers in the field of vocational training and education will make it possible for OSJD to efficiently solve its problems by identifying a unified procedure, requirements and ways of keeping registers in the field of vocational training and education as a whole, involving the inclusion, in the short-term, into the OSJD documents’ registers the pilot training projects on the application of OSJD documents implemented within the framework of OSJD following the approval of the OSJD governing bodies, which were organised by the “Kazakhstan Temir Zholy National Company” JSC, Russian Railways OJSC, “Ukrainian Railways” JSC, OSJD Affiliated companies - Association of Transport High Schools and PLASKE JSC and issue OSJD certificates of an approved form.

Following the discussion of the draft documents being developed for the OSJD Academy, the AWG members noted the advisability of clarifying certain terms and adding new terms to the OSJD Glossary on vocational education/training in the field of railway transport. The interpretation of the clarified and new terms in English and Chinese has been performed by the OSJD Committee and the Association of Transport High Schools, and therefore the AWG prepared draft amendments and updates into the Glossary.

When developing the draft Regulations on the OSJD Academy and the Procedure for Maintaining the OSJD Documents Registers in the Field of Vocational Training and Education, the AWG members noted the advisability of making amendments into the following OSJD documents:

- “Statute of the Organisation for Cooperation between Railways”;

- “Regulations on the OSJD Committee”;

- “Regulations on the Ad hoc Working Group on vocational education/training in the field of railway transport”.

In this regard, draft amendments (addenda) to these documents was prepared to be considered by the OSJD governing bodies following standard procedure.

 The AWG will continue to develop the following documents related to the OSJD Academy activities to be submitted for consideration and approval by the OSJD Ministerial Conference taking into account the proposals of the Conference of General Directors (Authorised Representatives) of OSJD Railways:

- accreditation procedure at the OSJD Academy of educational organisations and institutions providing training (leading duty holder: PLASKE JSC);

- procedure for the development and implementation of standard OSJD training programmes (leading duty holder: RZD OJSC);

- procedure for approving training programmes introduced by OSJD accredited educational organisations and institutions providing training (leading duty holder: Association of Transport High Schools);

- quality control procedure for the implementation of standard OSJD programmes and OSJD approved programmes in training organisations (leading duty holder: Ukrainian Railway JSC).

Following the decision of the OSJD Ministerial Conference, the AWG member - “Kazakhstan Temir Zholy National Company” JSC implemented a pilot training project on the subject: “Organisation of freight transportation with reloading at the border stations”, held from 18 till 21 June 2019 in Almaty and at the border station of Altynkol.

The data obtained as a result of the analysis carried out in regard to the current situation in the organisation of goods transportation in transshipment services at the border stations of Dostyk and Altynkol formed the basis of the curriculum, which is aimed at achieving the following main objectives:

- updating knowledge and enhancing staff competencies;

- training of personnel to fulfill the production tasks and step up for further career growth.

The entire cycle of the process was examined, a survey was conducted among those employees of the “KTZ NC” JSC, who are directly involved in the technological process, meetings were also held with the representatives of forwarding, logistics companies and government agencies (customs, sanitary-epidemiological and quarantine services).

The purpose of the curriculum was to improve and develop the competencies necessary for professional activities and improve the professional level of employees within the framework of their qualifications.

As a result, the curriculum includes sections on the planning of export, import and transit traffic through the interstate joint points at border stations, the use of documents of intergovernmental organisations, regulatory acts of Kazakhstan and China, tariffs, document processing technology, the study of automated control systems, the cycle of transshipment works, the procedure for interaction with government bodies.

The main focus was on conducting practical exercises at the Altynkol border station, where students had the opportunity to see and familiarize themselves with the technological process of organising transshipment freight traffic at the border station, to visit the checkpoints for road vehicles, cargoes, etc.

The pilot training project on the subject: “Organisation of transshipment freight traffic at border stations” included theoretical and practical exercises.

Theoretical lessons at the station of Almaty included:

- an introductory course on OSJD activities in the field of international traffic organisation, on SMGS and SI to SMGS;

- an introductory course on the OTIF activities, the scope of CIM;

- regulatory legal acts regulating the activities of railways in international traffic;

- planning of export, import and transit traffic through the border stations of Dostyk and Altynkol;

- tariffs for freight transportation (MTT, ETT, Tariff policy for the freight year, national tariffs);

- automated control systems (ACS PS, ASUD KR);

- operation technology of Dostyk station.

The purpose of the theoretical training course for the students was to increase their knowledge of applying the requirements of local acts of “KTZ NC” JSC that regulate the transportation process of goods by rail; OSJD documents regarding the ongoing activities in the field of international railway freight traffic.

To increase the effectiveness of training, practical classes were organised during a technical visit of students to the border station of Altynkol.

Among other things, the technology of operation of siding tracks, terminals, the technological process of operation of the entire station were demonstrated to the students. They also studied the classification of goods according to the type of cargoes delivered for transshipment, learned the procedure for planning the goods transportation, gained skills in the use of automated systems, preparation of documents and financial accounting, visited the checkpoints of road vehicles and cargoes, witnessed the practical organisation of work of the checkpoints across the state border of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The purpose of the practical training was to consolidate the material covered and master the skills.

The audience of this pilot training course was represented by the employees (cashiers, office managers and engineers of the automated control system) who are directly involved in the process of organising the process of goods traffic with reloading/transshipment at border stations. Representatives of the Kazakhstan Association of Carriers and Wagon (Container) Operators and the Association of National Freight Forwarders of the Republic of Kazakhstan took also part in the training process as independent observers.

As a result of this pilot project, the transportation process participants (logistics and freight forwarding companies) demonstrated their interest in organising and conducting training on this subject and on the practical application of the OSJD documents, as well as of the documents of other intergovernmental organisations.

The AWG members from the Russian Railways OJSC, together with the Association of Transport High Schools organised and carried out a successful pilot project on the subject: “Organisation for Cooperation between Railways (OSJD): regulatory legal framework (an introductory course)” from 26 till 30 August 2019 (Moscow, Russian Federation).

The curriculum of the pilot project included the following subjects:

- common understanding of the system of legal regulation of all aspects of railway transport (UN system, WTO, OSJD, OTIF, Council for Railway Transport, EU and EAEU);

- OSJD: structure, working and governing bodies;

- OSJD fundamental documents.

The programme arose great interest among the managing personnel of the RZD OJSC: more than 100 employees of the company were declared for training.

Representatives of “KTZ NC” JSC, “Railway of Moldova” State Enterprise (CFM), “Ukrainian Railway” JSC (“Ukrzaliznytsya” JSC) and PLASKE JSC participating in the XIII-th meeting of the AWG, responded positively to the RZD OJSC’s invitation to take part in the training course, as well as representatives of the Korean Railroad Corporation KORAIL and the Rohi Ohani Tojikiston (TDZ/ROT) State Unitary Enterprise.

Upon the training course completion, the participants were issued the Certificates of the Russian University of Transport (MIIT) acknowledging that they had undergone the advanced training programme.

The Programme participants have given a very high appreciation and rating to the pilot training project. According to the results of the questionnaire, the satisfaction of the participants was at a level of 4.8 points out of the 5 maximum possible.

The RZD OJSC and the Association of Transport High Schools (MIIT) organised and held a pilot training project on the subject “Regulatory documents in international freight traffic on the basis of the OSJD agreements and other instruments and their digitalization” from 16 till 20 December 2019 in Moscow (Russian Federation), which was attended by employees of the RZD OJSC, as well as representatives of the “KTZ NC” JSC and the Korean Railroad Corporation KORAIL.

In order to introduce the approved training subjects into the training programmes for railway specialists in higher educational institutions, the Ukrainian Railway JSC launched a pilot project to develop educational requirements for railway educational institutions.

On 12 November 2019 in Kiev (Ukraine), the Ukrainian Railway JSC, being an AWG member , held a successful international conference on dual education with the aim of sharing experience in the implementation of dual training programme in educational institutions, disseminating best international practices, developing forms of joint cooperation to improve the level and quality of personnel training in specialized railway occupations, ensuring sustainable development of the transportation process of the “Ukrzaliznytsia” JSC.

This exchange of experience will make it possible for the specialists of the “Ukrzaliznytsia” JSC to effectively apply the knowledge and skills gained in practice during their every-day work.

Currently, the “Ukrzaliznytsia” JSC is carrying out work on the projects being implemented in the field of professional training and personnel development, namely: the implementation of the dual form of training in the field of professional (vocational) and higher education, career guidance on children's railways, the launch of pilot projects: vocational training "School of the conductor", implementation of elements of the lean manufacturing system and distance learning system in the “Ukrzaliznytsia” JSC, conducting modular training studies (HR school) for specialists in human resources departments.

The “Ukrzaliznytsia” JSC has proposed the development and subsequent implementation of joint pilot projects for the modular training of conductors working on the international trains in terms of unifying requirements, approaches to passenger services and studying the regulatory framework for international traffic.

After analyzing the results of the pilot programmes, it can be stated that the implementation of successful practices in the training and education of personnel as a whole significantly affects the sustainable development of the transportation process.

At the ХV-th meeting of the AWG held on 3-5 March 2020 in the OSJD Committee, Deputy Chairman of the OSJD Committee Mikhail Vsevolozhskiy introduced to the meeting participants an official notification from the Ministry of Infrastructure of Ukraine certifying that the representative of the Ukrainian Railway JSC, Lyudmila Vasilega, had been appointed Chairperson of the AWG.

 AWG prepared a draft OSJD Work Programme for 2021 and subsequent years in the area of the AWG work on vocational education/training in the field of railway traffic.

Expert meeting of the OSJD Commission on Transport Policy and Development Strategy on the subject “Strategic directions for further development of railway transport of OSJD member states”

The meeting was held on 18 - 20 February 2020 in the OSJD Committee (Warsaw). It was attend by the participants from 13 OSJD member states, as well as Eurasian Economic Commission (EAEC), CCTT and OSJD Committee.

The expert meeting dealt with following subjects:

• Assessment of the strategic directions for further development of railway transport in OSJD member states and drawing up proposals on general approach and tasks concerning the strategic development of railway transport;
• Discussing summarized data on strategic development of railway transport in OSJD member states;
• Examination of experiences acquired from railway reforming processes in OSJD member states and analyzing them in order to provide further information on the OSJD Website;
• Drawing up an action plan, agenda, final document and other organisational issues relating to the Round Table to be held on the results and plans on railway transport reforms in OSJD member states;
• Elaboration of informative manual on main strategic directions of development and reforming railway transport in OSJD member states;
• Discussing the work progress of OSJD/ERA Contact Group on interaction between 1520-mm/1435-mm railway systems;
• Elaboration and agreeing upon the draft Work Plan of the OSJD Commission on Transport Policy and Development Strategy for 2021 and on the draft Work Programme for 2022 and the years to come.

53^rd meeting of the OSJD-ERA Contact Group

The 53^rd meeting of the OSJD/ERA Contact Group on the subject: “Collaboration between ERA and OSJD on the analysis of the relationship between 1520-mm/1524-mm and 1435-mm railway systems of EU and non-EU states” was held on 21-23 January 2020 in the OSJD Committee in Warsaw, which was attended by the representatives of the OSJD member countries from Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Russia and Ukraine, as well as the OSJD Committee, ERA, CSZT and UIC.

The meeting analyzed such areas of railway transport as “Telematic Applications for Freight”, “Noise”, “Power Supply”, “Locomotives and Multiple-Unit Rolling Stock ” and “Passenger Coaches”.

An exchange of relevant information, practical experience and best practices was also conducted in order to coordinate measures aimed at maintaining and improving the existing technical and operational compatibility and unhindered international railway transport (including cross-border traffic and transport safety).

When analyzing the parameters of “Telematics Applications for Freight (TAF)”, the meeting participants listened to and discussed the ERA presentation “TAF and OSJD messages. Inverse comparison analysis.”

Following the discussion:

- draft conclusions on the main parameters of clauses 4.2.1.1 (consignment note), 4.2.3.2 (train composition) were supplemented;

- ERA shall analyze the use of the fields of the contractual and subsequent carriers in accordance with the OSJD Leaflet O+R 943 and recheck the conclusions;

- the Contact Group participants shall clarify and supplement the data in the document “Analysis of the subsystem parameters ща “Telematics Applications for Freight (TAF)” (version 09), on the basis of which ERA will provide an updated version of the working paper for discussion at the next 54^th meeting of the Contact Group.

When analyzing the parameters for the “Noise” subtopic, ERA representatives presented an updated 13^th version of the document “Analysis of the parameters of the “Noise” subsystem”, including draft conclusions on clause 4.2.4 (noise in the driver’s cab) and general conclusions on the document. The meeting participants generally supported the draft general conclusions.

The meeting participants supplemented and agreed on the 5^th version of the document “Analysis of the parameters of the subsystem “Energy Supply”” and invited all the OSJD-ERA Contact Group participants to continue their work towards amending and summing up the materials.

As part of the discussion on the subject “Updating the analysis of the subsystems “Locomotives and multiple-unit rolling stock” and “Passenger coaches”, the ERA representatives informed about the progress of the translation into Russian of the TSI “Locomotives, multiple-unit rolling stock and passenger coaches” (TSI LOC & PAS) and made an introductory presentation of this TSI.

The meeting participants invited all the OSJD-ERA Contact Group participants to analyze the information on the group of basic parameters “Design and mechanical equipment” in “Analysis of the subsystem parameters “Locomotives and multiple-unit rolling stock”” and “Passenger Coaches” (final version as of 18 February 2011) and “Analysis of the subsystem parameters “Passenger coaches” (final version as of 17 April 2013) (both available on the ERA website at https://www.era.europa.eu/agency/stakeholder-relations_en) and, when the working template from the ERA is received, the ERA will be provided with an updated information on the basic parameters of the group “Design and mechanical equipment.”

As regards the subject “Exchange of relevant information and practical experience in order to coordinate measures for preserving and improving the existing technical and operational compatibility and unhindered international railway traffic (including cross-border traffic and transportation safety)”, the meeting participants reviewed the OSJD-ERA Contact Group work procedure in this area for 2020 year.

In order to exchange information and experience at the next 54^th meeting of the OSJD-ERA Contact Group, the meeting participants have invited:

- the ERA representatives to prepare a presentation on the subject “Distribution of roles and responsibilities for ensuring safety in the railway sector in the European Union” and the sub-topic “Concept for ensuring security in the integration of subsystems of the railway transport system”;

- to prepare a presentation on the subject “Work progress of the Interstate Technical Committee for Standardization ITC (MTK) 524 ‘Railway Transport’ in 2018 and 2019”;

- the Russian Federation representatives to consider a possibility to prepare a presentation on the subject “Implementation of the project for the introduction of railway rolling stock control system in automatic mode (“unmanned rolling stock”)”;

- to all the OSJD/ERA Joint Contact Group participants to prepare, for regular exchange, relevant information on the main changes in the regulatory documents and innovative projects implemented in the countries participating in the OSJD-ERA Joint Contact Group, as was proposed at the 52^nd meeting of the OSJD-ERA Joint Contact Group (17-19 September 2019, Lille).

The meeting participants agreed on the preliminary agenda for the next meeting of the OSJD-ERA Contact Group, which, due to the restrictive measures in most countries as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic spread has been postponed from late March to mid-May 2020:

1. Analysis of the subsystem “Telematic applications for freight traffic”.
2. Completion of analysis of the subsystem “Noise”.
3. Updating the analysis of the subsystem “Energy”.
4. Updating the analysis of the subsystems “Locomotives and multiple-unit rolling stock” and “Passenger coaches”.
5. Exchange of relevant information, practical experience and best practices in order to coordinate measures aimed at maintaining and improving the existing technical and operational compatibility and unhindered international railway transport (including cross-border traffic and transport safety).
6. Miscellaneous.

Meeting of the AWG in the field of the Rules for the Transportation of Dangerous Goods

 According to the Work Plan of the OSJD Commission on Transport Law, a meeting of the Ad hoc Working Group (AWG) in the field of the Rules for the Transportation of Dangerous Goods was held from 25 till 28 February 2020 in the OSJD Committee in Warsaw, which was attended by the AWG members from the Republic of Belarus, Hungary, Republic of Lithuania, Republic of Poland, Russian Federation, Ukraine, Republic of Estonia; SMGS participants from the Republic of Kazakhstan, Slovak Republic, as well as representatives of Rail Cargo Hungaria CJSC (OSJD affiliated enterprise), Intergovernmental Organisation for the International Carriage by Rail (OTIF) and specialists of the OSJD Committee.

The following issues were considered under the agenda:

- Preparation of draft amendments and addenda to the Rules for the Transportation of Dangerous Goods (Annex 2 to SMGS) in accordance with amendments and addenda to the current international and national regulations for the transport of dangerous goods, taking into account the operational specifics of the railways of the OSJD member countries;

- Continuation of work on updating the Rules for the Transportation of Dangerous Goods (Annex 2 to SMGS) in relation to the requirements for the design of tank wagons.

The meeting participants reviewed the draft amendments to the Rules for the Transportation of Dangerous Goods (Annex 2 to SMGS) prepared by the leading duty holder from the Republic of Latvia taking into account the proposals and comments received.

At the same time, the meeting participants gratefully noted the fact that the SMGS participant from the Russian Federation provided materials for the meeting of the RID Standing Committee of the RID Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (25-28 November 2019, Vienna, Austria), as well as the materials for the joint RID/ADR/ADN meeting, scheduled for 2020.

Organisation of international container freight traffic as part of container trains

In accordance with the Work Plan of the OSJD Commission on Freight Traffic for 2020, an expert meeting was held in the OSJD Committee in Warsaw from 18 till 19 February 2020, aimed to develop a draft document on the rules for organising the transport of containers as part of container trains in international traffic, in which representatives from the following OSJD railways took part: AZD CJSC, BC, KZH, UBZD JSC, RZD JSC, Ukrzaliznytsia JSC and EVR JSC; OSJD affiliated enterprises – TransContainer PJSC and UTLC ERA JSC; as well as CCTT and the OSJD Committee.

During the meeting the following issues were considered:

- The dynamics of the development of container trains in international traffic;

- The issue of the status of the document on the rules for organising the transportation of containers as part of container trains in international traffic;

- A draft document on the rules for organizing the transport of containers in container trains in international traffic.

 Representatives of the railways participating in the meeting provided up-to-date information on containerized freight traffic in 2019 and some new transport products.

The Azerbaijani Railways CJSC (AZD CJSC) has been carrying active working to increase the volume of container traffic. During 2019, 139 container trains in international traffic were organised. The total number of containers transported in 2019 amounted to 40,625 units, of which 22,432 were carried in the North direction, 17,287 containers in the West direction, and 906 containers in the South direction. As part of the “One Belt - One Road” initiative between ADY Container LLC (a subsidiary of AZD CJSC) and the Chinese Xi'an Continental Bridge International Logistics Co. Ltd. an agreement on strategic partnership in the transport and transit sphere was signed. Basing on this agreement, a container train consisting of twenty-one 45-foot and fifteen 40-foot containers was sent from Xi'an, China. In particular, the Marketing and Economic Operations Department of the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) together with ADY Container organised the first shipment of Azerbaijani carbamide in containers via the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK) railway line to Turkey.

In 2019, in order to develop the transport and logistics container transportation routes, a Memorandum of Cooperation was signed between AZD CJSC, Turkish State Railways (TCDD) and Russian Railways OJSC. Within the framework of the Memorandum, a joint working group has been set up to develop technologies for organising transportation in communication between Azerbaijan, Turkey and Russia.

In 2019, the AZD CJSC became a full member of the CCTT, whereas negotiations were also held between the representatives of AZD CJSC and RZD OJSC to work out the issue of joining efforts in organising container trains from the countries of the Pacific to the Republic of Azerbaijan in transit through the territory of the Russian Federation by using the infrastructure of the Trans-Siberian Railway. In order to coordinate activities in this area, a joint working group was established to organise China-Azerbaijan container transit. Representatives of ADY Container and RZD Logistics JSC have been working with the representatives of exporters of the People’s Republic of China to organise container trains in this direction.

 In 2019, the total volume of freight traffic in containers on the Byelorussian Railway (BC) amounted to 733 thousand containers in TEUs, or 115% against 2018.

A significant share of container transit traffic, which is about 70%, is formed by the China-Europe-China link: in 2019, 339 thousand containers (TEUs) were transported via this route, or 102% against 2018.

In January 2020, about 28 thousand containers (TEUs) were transported via China-Europe-China transit route through the Republic of Belarus, or 108% as compared to the same period in 2019.

 In 2019, over 384 thousand TEUs were transported by the Railways of Ukraine, which is 14.64% more than the volume of container traffic for the same period in 2018. Of this amount, more than 163 thousand TEUs were transported in container trains, which is 71% more than the freight volumes transported in 2018 and account for 42.5% of the total volume of containers transported across the territory of Ukraine.

During 2019, international container trains and combined transport trains ran through the territory of Ukraine along the following routes:

- Lithuania – Belarus – Ukraine – Georgia/Azerbaijan/Bulgaria/Moldova/Romania - “Viking”;

- Estonia - Latvia – Belarus – Black Sea ports – Moldova – Ukraine (“Zubr”);

- Romania – Ukraine – Russia;

- China – Kazakhstan – Russia – Ukraine – Slovakia/Poland/Hungary;

- Lithuania – Belarus – Ukraine (Containerships Train);

- Belarus – Ukraine – Romania;

- Russia – Ukraine – Poland;

- Ukraine – Poland.

As part of container trains, 30,365 TEUs were transported in international traffic.

In order to increase the volume of traffic, accelerate the delivery and safety of goods, 4 new trains were organized in international traffic in 2019 in the following directions: Belarus – Ukraine – Romania, Ukraine – Poland, Russia – Ukraine – Poland and Lithuania – Ukraine.

The “Ukrzaliznytsia” JSC has been carrying out work to consolidate the freight flows.

In order to increase the volume of traffic, cargo safety, as well as accelerate the delivery time, those container trains ran through the territory of Ukraine, which routes connect the ports of the Black Sea with the terminal complexes. In 2018, 10 such trains were organised, while in 2019, 14 additional trains were added, and in January 2020, 5 new container trains along new routes have been already organised.

This work has doubled the volume of container traffic in container trains in January 2020 as compared with January 2019. At the same time, 62% of the total number of containers amount to container trains.

In January 2020, 3 trains were dispatched from China to the European countries along the route China – Kazakhstan – Russia – Ukraine – EU countries: 2 trains to Poland and 1 to Slovakia.

The trains Belarus – Ukraine – Romania (5 pairs of trains) and Russia – Ukraine – Poland (4 pairs of trains) have been running successfully in 2020.

In 2020, the Ukrzaliznytsia JSC plans to continue its work towards identifying new promising container train routes to be organised.

 The volume of goods transported in high-capacity containers on the Estonian Railway JSC (EVR) in 2019 increased by 46.4% and amounted to 76,456 TEUs. The growth in freight traffic was ensured by the transportation of goods in regional traffic and in own containers. Stable train runs have been ensured in the destination of Vorotynsk with spare parts from Japan.

 When considering the status of the document on the rules for organising the transportation of containers in container trains in international traffic, the meeting participants came to the conclusion that it was necessary to develop such a document and discussed its status.

Following the discussion, most of the meeting participants agreed that the document on the rules for organising the transportation of containers as part of container trains in international traffic will be of binding status only for those parties that have signed it. For other participants in the transportation process who have not signed this document, it may be of an recommendatory nature.

The meeting participants discussed and expressed their comments and suggestions regarding the draft document on the rules for organising the transportation of containers as part of container trains in international traffic, prepared by the leading duty holder from the RZD JSC taking into account the proposals received from the railways. The title of the draft document was agreed - “Agreement on the carriage of containers as part of container trains in international traffic by rail” with Annex A “List of the Parties”, Annex B “Rules for the organisation of container trains in international traffic” and informational annexes to the Rules.

Systems of seat reservation, reference and information services for passengers, provision of services and formation of financial statements

As required by the Work Plan of the OSJD Commission on Passenger Traffic, experts representing OSJD railways met at the OSJD Committee’s offices in Warsaw, Poland, on 3-5 March 2020 to address such impactful topics as seat reservation systems, reference and information services for passengers, service delivery, and generation of financial statements.

The meeting discussed the following agenda items:

- broadening the range of services offered at the time of booking to passengers buying electronic travel documents for international trips (BC, UBZD, PKP, RZD, UZ, CD);

- reaching agreement on a standard for the share of total seats to be reserved for return trips on international trains at a timetable change;

- prospects for the development of electronic booking systems;

- exchanging messages between booking systems to generate seat availability data, including coach and seat numbers, price, etc. (BC, PKP, RZD, UZ, CD).

An UZ representative informed the meeting that the electronic travel document service had been enjoying ever-rising demand and popularity with passengers. In 2019, 57% of the total number of travel documents were issued through electronic channels, with the share surging to 60% over the first two months of 2020.

The introduction of electronic sales of travel documents for all trains serving routes between Ukraine and Poland, and between Ukraine and Latvia had added 15% to the average number of passengers traveling on those routes. The year 2019 also saw a dedicated travel document issue system implemented that focuses on people with disabilities as follows:

- electronic travel documents are issued to passengers of 15 privileged categories, who no longer need vouchers to book their travels. The documents that certify the privileges are validated online through an interactive interface system that provides connection to information resources of Ukraine’s Ministry of Social Policy. The validation mechanism ensures the correct documentation of financial data needed to refund the railways for the carriage of passengers eligible for subsidized prices. Over 2019, a total of 16,700 subsidized electronic travel documents were issued; with the count for the first two months of 2020 standing at 7,700.

- request forms can be completed at the UZ official website for a specialized coach for wheelchair users and their escorts to be included in a train. 65 such requests have been made since this service was launched in September 2019.

In order to extend the range of services offered to passengers of international trains at the time of electronic travel document purchase, BC made a request to CD asking that CD step up its efforts to launch electronic sales of travel documents for trains Nos. 137/115 Brest – Prague – Brest. The existing booking system Express features the functionality needed to open sales of electronic tickets requiring electronic registration for coaches with seated accommodation.

In response, CD asked BC to provide clarifications as follows:

- whether the Express system documents only seat reservations supplementing the travel documents for trains Nos. 137/115 Brest – Prague – Brest;

- if BC has an option of selling electronic tickets online, then what is the mechanism for verifying the validity of travel documents (whether the travel document has or has not been returned for a refund).

This issue also needs to be agreed by PKP as a transit carrier.

The RZD OJSC made a presentation on its system of dynamic tariff management and demand stimulation used in train No. 13/14 Moscow – Berlin “Strizh,” and on the methods the company uses to inform the train crew of any passengers present on board who are skilled in delivering first aid.

The RZD OJSC suggested a number of specific topics for discussion, including standards for return seats in trains traveling between Russia and Mongolia, and in through night coaches Moscow – Prague – Moscow; agreed terms and conditions for the carriage of passengers, animals, and carry-on luggage in through FPC coaches Moscow – Prague – Moscow traveling on timetable since 15 December 2019; sales of seats in compartments with the attribute “mixed-gender” in the Prague – Moscow coaches through the CD booking system.

A CD representative informed the meeting that:

- the attribute “mixed-gender” was used in travel documents issued for traveling in CD sleeping coaches;

- carriage of animals in CD sleeping coaches is prohibited.

Basing on the company’s analysis of international passenger carriage practices, BC suggested a standard for the share of seats reserved for return tickets to be discussed by the other railways involved (PKP, CD).

UZ also relied on their analysis of international passenger traffic to make suggestions regarding a standard for the share of return tickets in regular trains included in the timetables for 2020/2021.

UZ plans to extend its range of passenger services by making the following steps:

- implement an e-Queue technology for online sales, which would minimize the duration and number of on-going queries in the automated system, including queries for information, seat searches, and passenger information completion procedures, especially during the busiest passenger travel periods;

- implement a technology for filing online applications for group travels, including groups of underage passengers;

- automate the generation of international passenger carriage reports based on Leaflet O 301.

Russian Railways suggested the following items for discussion at the next meeting:

- the possibility of using the XML format for interaction with international travel booking systems;

- the possibility of restoring the validity of travel documents issued under the MPT tariff for trips in FPC trains;

- communicating information to clients of the passenger complex on changes in the terms and conditions of travel.

The meeting agreed to review these issues and requested the participating Railways to prepare their proposals.

BC reiterated its request that PKP address the following issues:

- return of the unused seat quotas 48 hours prior to the train’s departure;

- communication via facsimile channels of information on travel documents returned to PKP booking offices so that the seats could be entered into the Express system to be resold (trains Nos. 125/126, 725/726, 127/G28, 727/728, 303/304);

- retesting the workability of making reservations from the PKP system of seats stored in the Express system for trains Nos. 127/128 Warsaw – Brest – Warsaw, 727/728 Brest – Minsk – Brest, 125/126 Warsaw – Brest – Warsaw, 725/726 Brest – Minsk – Brest, 303/304 Krakow – Grodno – Krakow, for the purpose of organizing sales of electronic travel documents involving electronic registration.

Russian Railways suggested that the next meeting discuss the possibility of exchanging, between the RZD and CD booking systems, of advanced queries for information on availability of specific seats in specific coaches.

CD made a presentation on displaying seat availability in the ARES-3 booking system. The presentation discussed the binary format of the message. Information was also provided on an XML message format developed by CD that is not currently in use.

CD is also working on a format for the seat availability message that will be part of the graphical user interface of the seat booking system (the asmx web service). The current graphical user interface does not support seat booking.

 The RZD OJSC suggested that the issue be addressed of sharing personal data (full name, date of birth, type and number of identification document that was used to buy the last travel document (ticket), gender, nationality) when travel documents are issued to passengers to travel from/to stations in the Russian Federation.

UZ informed the meeting that the Ukrainian national law prohibits storage or sharing with third parties of citizens’ personal data, due to which no passenger information (except information on entitlement to privileges) is stored in the UZ automated ticket sales system, and no information contained in travel documents issued through the interaction of booking systems is shared. UZ is in the process of studying its options in multimodal carriage and issuing a single travel document covering several modes of transport (air, rail, bus). In this context, UZ suggested that other railways provide information at the next meeting on corresponding trends in the development of automation in passenger carriage, with methods of their practical implementation in their respective countries. In addition, UZ had received from the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) information on the implementation of a new booking system for the 2020/2021 timetable that will be accessible through the booking code 89 and the translator HEROS 01. Given that all Austrian Railways trains will be accessible only through the HEROS 01 translator starting from October 2020, UZ suggests that the OSJD railways discuss this issue, including the outcomes of their systems’ interoperation tests, at the next meeting.

KORAIL made a presentation on the measures implemented by the Korea Railroad Corp. to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 epidemic at railway stations and in trains.

Meeting of the OSJD/UIC Joint Group on the IRS issues

The meeting of the OSJD/UIC Joint Working Group (JWG) on converting joint OSJD/UIC leaflets into draft International Railway Solutions (IRS) in the field of railway transport was held in the OSJD Committee from 14 till 16 January 2020 with the participation of the representatives of BC, “KTZ NC” JSC, CFM, PKP JSC, RZD OJSC, Ukrzaliznytsia JSC, EVR JSC - as observers on subject 6.3., UIC and OSJD Committee.

The meeting agenda included the following issues:

- revision of the Rules of Procedure of the joint OSJD and UIC group;

- consideration of draft IRS 1501 on the basis of the joint OSJD Leaflet О 500/UIC Leaflet 505-6 “General rules for interoperable rolling stock gauges”;

- discussion of the draft IRS “Transportation of exceptional consignments in international traffic by rail”;

- discussion of the list of priority documents to be further processed. Identification of work for subsequent JWG meetings for the years to follow;

- organisational matters.

 At the meeting, the participants reviewed the updated Rules of Procedure for the joint OSJD and UIC group in connection with the new UIC strategy (transition from International Railway Standards to International Railway Solutions).

The proposal of the Byelorussian Railway was also considered to include into the list priority documents the following leaflets to be further considered at the meetings of the JWG in 2020 and subsequent years:

- OSJD O+R 516 / UIC 430-4 “Freight wagons. Operation between 1435-mm gauge and 1520-mm gauge networks. Technical provisions and approval conditions for operation”;

- OSJD O+R 524 / UIC 508-3 “Passenger coaches – General requirements for running gear with dual-gauge wheelsets for railways with 1435-mm and 1520-mm gauges”;

- OSJD O+R 535 / UIC 535-2 “Standardisation and positioning on freight wagons of steps, end platforms, gangways, handrails, tow hooks, automatic couplers (AC), automatic draw-on coupling and brake valve controls on the UIC member RUs and OSJD member RUs”.

The working staff of the OSJD Commission on Infrastructure and Rolling Stock appealed to the participants of the AWG with a request to consider the list presented and forward their proposals to the OSJD Committee.

 The meeting participants agreed on the provisional agenda for the next meeting of the JWG:

1. Discussion of the draft IRS “Transportation of exceptional consignments in international traffic by rail.”
2. Consideration of the final version of draft IRS 1501 based on the joint OSJD Leaflet О 500 / UIC 505-6 “General rules for interoperable rolling stock gauges”.
3. Discussion of the list of priority documents to be further considered at the JWG meetings in 2020 and subsequent years.
4. Implementation of the UIC leaflets migration programme into IRS.
5. Provisional agenda for the next meeting on subject No. 6.
6. Miscellaneous.

 Due to restrictive measures in the OSJD member countries as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic spread, the next Group’s meeting is scheduled for June 2020.

Joint Meeting of Plenipotentiary Representatives of Members of the OSJD Ministerial Conference and the Conference of General Directors (Authorised Representatives) of OSJD Railways

(press-release)

 The joint meeting was attended by the authorized representatives of the members of the Ministerial Conference and the Conference of General Directors (Authorised Representatives) of OSJD Railways from the following OSJD member countries: Republic of Azerbaijan, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Republic of Belarus, Republic of Bulgaria, Hungary, Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Georgia, Islamic Republic of Iran, Republic of Kazakhstan, People's Republic of China, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Kyrgyz Republic, Republic of Latvia, Republic of Lithuania Republic of Moldova, Mongolia, Republic of Poland, Russian Federation, Romania, Slovak Republic, Republic of Tajikistan, Republic of Uzbekistan, Ukraine, Czech Republic, Republic of Estonia, as well as from the OSJD Observer – Finnish Railways (VR); OSJD affiliated enterprise – PLASKE JSC, invited guests from the following international organisations: Eurasian Economic Commission (EaEC), International Union of Railways (UIC), International Association “Coordinating Council for Trans-Siberian Transportation” (CCTT) and the OSJD Committee.

The meeting was opened and chaired by Tadeusz Szozda, Chairman of the OSJD Committee, who welcomed the participants of the meeting and summarized the results in the OSJD activities of the expiring year of 2018.

As part of the agenda, the Work Plans of the OSJD working bodies for 2019 and the “Work Schedule of OSJD Events for 2019” were reviewed and approved.

Meanwhile, as a result of the discussion held within the framework of the agenda, the following conclusions have been agreed:

- the countries participating in the OSJD Corridor No. 9, as well as Ukraine, should hold consultations on the extension of this corridor within the framework of an expert meeting of the OSJD Commission on Transport Policy and Development Strategy;

- the OSJD Committee has been instructed to carry out the modernization works of the OSJD Website in order to improve the Internet resource, representing OSJD as a leading international organisation in the field of railway transport in the Eurasian space, making it more modern and efficient.

The UIC representative confirmed the UIC’s readiness to develop 4 draft documents in the framework of the “Joint OSJD/UIC Working Group on the development of OSJD/UIC international technical solutions in the field of railway transport of voluntary accession” in 2019, as well as reconfirmed the planned cooperation in 2020.

Considering that, in accordance with the approved work plans of the OSJD working bodies for 2019, some final meetings on the results of work within the OSJD framework are scheduled to be held in October-November, the meeting gave the OSJD Committee its consent to sending materials concerning the work plans of the OSJD working bodies for 2020, within a week after the final meetings of the commissions and the PWGs.

OSJD activities in the field of freight traffic

“Updating of Harmonized Nomenclature of Goods (GNG)” and “Updating of the list of freight stations of the OSJD Railways”

The meeting of OSJD Commission on freight traffic for consideration of the topics “Updating of Harmonized Nomenclature of Goods (GNG)” and “Updating of the list of freight stations of the OSJD Railways” was held in Chisinau, the capital city of the Republic of Moldova, from 20^th till 23^rd March 2018. The meeting participants discussed as follows:

• progress of work on implementation of the decisions taken by the annual meeting of OSJD Commission on freight traffic on the topics “Updating of Harmonized Nomenclature of Goods (GNG)” and “Updating of the list of freight stations of OSJD Railways” (OSJD Committee, 10-13 October 2017);
• information on the results of the annual meeting of the UIC Steering Committee on the NHM/DIUM issues (Paris, France, 28 February - 1 March 2018);
• proposals of the OSJD Railways on the issue of updating of the GNG, harmonization of the GNG with the NHM of 2018 and on the topic “Updating of the list of freight stations of OSJD Railways”.

Mr. Yuriy Topala, the General Director of the State Enterprise “Railway of Moldova”, opened the meeting and delivered his welcome speech in which he underlined the leadership role of the OSJD in development of railway transport, in particular in organisation of international transportation of goods on the railways of the OSJD member countries.

The meeting participants were also welocmed by Mr. Grigoriy Kondurake, Deputy General Director on commercial activities of the State Enterprise “Railway of Moldova”, who noted the significance and relevance of the issues discussed at the meeting for the seamless organisation of goods transportation in international traffic.

At the invitation of the JSC “National Company “Kazakhstan temir zholy” (NC KTZ JSC), the next regular meeting of the OSJD Commission on freight traffic on the topics “Updating of Harmonized Nomenclature of Goods (GNG)” and “Updating of the list of freight stations of OSJD Railways” will be organized in the Republic of Kazakhstan in March 2019.

Meeting of the representatives of Parties to Agreement on ETT with regard to the issue of improving the ETT Agreement and updating the ETT Tariff

In the course of the meeting of representatives of the Parties to the Agreement on Unified Transit Tariff (ETT) with regard to the issue of improving the Agreement on ETT and updating of the ETT Tariff (22-25 May 2018, city of Minsk, Republic of Belarus), the representative of the Parties to the Agreement on ETT considered the progress of work on implementation of the decisions taken at the meeting of representatives of the Parties to the Agreement on ETT (16-19 May 2017, Yurmala town, Republic of Latvia) and proposals of the Par­ties to the Agreement on ETT on the improvement of the Agreement on ETT (making the amendments and additions), as well as proposals of the Parties to the Agreement on ETT for the alignment of the ETT classes with the updated list of GNG goods according to the version of 2018.

The meeting participants were informed about the notification made by the KTZ - Freight Transportation JSC with regard to the tariff rates for additional charges and other payments to be established on the railway of Kazakhstan with effect from the 1^st of January up to the 31^st of December 2018, which were calculated in accordance with the ETT Tariff; about the notification of the Railway of Uzbekistan (UTI) concerning the implementation of joint activities on the issue of a flexible tariff policy for the carriage of transit goods through the territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan in order to attract transit freight flows.

Information was also submitted to the meeting participants concerning the participation of Ms. Zubaida Aspayeva, Chairperson of the OSJD Commission on Freight Traffic, in the third meeting of the Task Force on transportation of postal items by rail (24 April 2018, city of Bern, Switzerland) at the invitation of the Universal Postal Union (UPU). The main objective of the Task Force established in March 2017 includes development of the guiding principles which will help the UPU member countries to organise the international services of transport postal consignments by rail within the framework of the project “Transportation of postal items by rail between China and Europe”.

At the present time the Task Force is engaged in activities on development of the forthcoming Guide on the transport of international mail by rail, in which the OSJD takes an active part.

The abovementioned initiative stipulates the development of the rules, procedures and common standards for this kind of services. These tools along with the operational standards for the transportation of postal items by rail are under development now and will be updated according results of pilot projects and even when international transportation of mail items by rail has been implemented on a regular basis.

Up to the present moment there have been 65 pilot projects implemented concerning the transportation of postal items by rail. The pilot projects were organized on several routes including various transit countries with different Customs regimes. The Gide will be based on the results of these pilot projects. The objective of these activities includes the harmonization and simplification of postal, Customs and railway transport rules, standards and formalities in order to render more energetic support of the efforts on facilitation of the world trade procedures.

All the interested countries were engaged in development of the Guide, being members of the Task Force on the transportation of postal items by rail, namely: UPU, WCO as well as authorized operators, national Customs administrations and international railway transport-related organisation, including the OSJD, which took an active part in implementation of the pilot projects. The adoption of the Guide by the governing body of the UPU was scheduled for October 2018.

The representative of the CTM LLC, an affiliated enterprise of the OSJD, made a presentation named as “News about CTM products” and also familiarized the meeting participants with activities carried out on updating of the OSJD Web-portal.

XXIX-th meeting of representatives of the Parties to the Agreement on MTT

The XXIX-th meeting of the representatives of the Parties to the Agreement on International Transit Tariff (MTT) on the issue of improving the Agreement on MTT and updating the MTT Tariff (26-29 June 2018, city of Tashkent, Republic of Uzbekistan) considered the progress of work on implementation of decisions taken by the ХХVПI meeting of the representatives of the Parties to the Agreement on MTT (27-30 June 2017, city of Vilnius, Republic of Lithuania), as well as proposals made by the Parties to the Agreement on MTT on improving the Agreement on MTT (making the amendments and additions) and updating the MTT Tariff (making the amendments and additions).

Mr. Akmal Kamalov, Deputy Chairman of Board of the Railway of Uzbekistan JSC underlined in his welcome speech to the meeting participants the relevance of activities carried out on improvement of the Agreement on MTT and updating of the MTT Tariff in order to provide competitiveness of freight transport services in international traffic. He also informed the meeting participants about activities of the Railway of Uzbekistan JSC and promising aspects of development of the Company.

At the invitation of the Russian side the regular meeting of representatives of the Parties to the Agreement on MTT will be organised in the Russian Federation in June 2019.

“Organisation of combined transportation in international traffic ”

The expert meeting of the OSJD Commission on freight traffic on the topic “Organisation of combined transportation in international traffic” took place in Poprad town (Slovak Republic) on 16-18 May 2018 with participation of representatives from 11 OSJD Railways, two OSJD affiliated enterprises (PJSC TransContainer and Association of Transport High Schools), OSJD Committee and invited UIC and LLC “Rus- Trail”.

Ms. Monika Smidtova, a manager for operation abroad of the Operation sector, greeted the meeting participants in her welcome speech on behalf of the Slovakian rail freight operator ZSSK Cargo and familiarized them with activities carried out by the ZSSK Cargo in the field of combined traffic.

The meeting considered the proposals made by the Parties to the “Agreement on organisational and operational aspects of combined transportation in the Europe - Asia traffic” on updating of the Agreement, proposals to make amendments in Annexes I, II, III and IV to the Agreement and examined as well the opportuni­ties of organisation piggyback transport on the main routes. Experience was shared in organisation of piggyback transport (carriage of goods by combined transport) and considered the issues of development of multimodal and intermodal transport.

The Meeting of the Working group of the Parties to the Agreement on PGW regarding the calculation of payment rates

The meeting of the Working group of the Parties to the Agreement on PGV regarding the calculation of tariff rates of payment, which was held in the OSJD Committee on 15-16 May 2018, with participation of the representatives from 9 Parties to the Agreement on PGW, conducted an analysis of data submitted by the Parties to the Agreement on PGW for the calculation of draft rates of payment for use of freight wagons, bogies and wagons without bogies in international traffic, considered the papers drafted by the leading performer and drew up proposals on updating of Annex 12 to the PGW, discussed the proposal made by the UZ on the improvement of the Methods for calculation of rates of payment for use of wagons, bogies and wagons without bogies.

The Meeting of representatives of the Parties to the Agreement on PGW on the topic “Improvement of the Agreement on the use of freight wagons in international traffic (PGW)”

The meeting (OSJD Committee, 26-29 June 2018) was attended by representatives from 13 Parties to the Agreement on PGW, as well as PJSC “RPC UWC” (an OSJD affiliated enterprise) and OSJD Committee.

According to the agenda, the meeting participants considered the proposals of the Parties to the Agreement on PGW on improvement of the Agreement on PGW and updating of the PGW rules, updating of Annex 12 to the PGW, proposals of the OSJD Railways on the topic “Use of freight wagons in international railway traffic” as well as draft work plan for 2019 on the topic “Agreement on use of freight wagons in international traffic”.

The expert meeting on the subject “Organisation of large-capacity container traffic in Europe-Asia traffic”

In the course of the expert meeting of the OSJD Commission on freight traffic on the topic “Organisation of large-capacity container traffic in Europe-Asia traffic” (OSJD Committee, 2-6 July 2018), the representatives from 15 OSJD Railways, two OSJD affiliated enterprises, as well as WCO and OSJD Commit­tee considered the issues on the progress of work on the following topics:

• organisation of transportation of large-tonnage containers and piggyback traffic in the communication between Europe - Asia - Europe, including organisa­tion of runs of container block trains on the OSJD railways;
• subtopic “Updating of database

for container trains and piggyback transport in international traffic”;

• the subtopic “Build-up and analysis of the database for volumetric index numbers regarding the transportation of large-tonnage containers on the OSJD railways”;
• updating of and support for the electronic version of the Reference book “Transportation of large-tonnage containers and piggyback transport in Europe - Asia traffic”;
• subtopic “Updating of OSJD Leaflet R 421 “Rules for use of all-purpose large-tonnage containers in international railway traffic”;
• organisation of transport of mail items in containers;
• organisation of transportation of goods with the CIM/SMGS consignment note applied in international traffic, including through railway-ferry traffic;
• joint UNESCAP-OSJD projects on development of container traffic of block trains.

The meeting participants prepared a draft Work plan on the topic “Organisation of transportation of large-tonnage containers in the communication between Europe and Asia for 2019.

The meeting chairman informed the participants that on 6 March 2018 Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the World Customs Organisation and the OSJD. The WCO representative made a presentation on the topic “Safety and facilitation of Customs procedures in international trade on railway transport”.

Final concord of the timetables for the movement of trains, formation diagrams of the passenger trains and provision of wagons in them in the international traffic of the 1^st Group of railways for 2018/2019

The meeting of the 1^st Group of railways on the development and finalization of the timetables for the movement of trains, formation diagrams of the passenger trains and provision of wagons in them in the international traffic for 2018/2019 was held from 13 till 17 August 2018 in Bucharest (Romania) with the participation of the represen­tatives of railways of the OSJD member countries and the companies of sleeping coaches, dining cars of the following countries: Republic of Belarus, Republic of Bulgaria, Hungary, Republic of Lithuania, Republic of Moldova, Republic of Poland, Russian Federation, Romania, Slovak Republic, Ukraine, Czech Republic, as well as the OSJD Committee.

The welcome address to the participants was made by Gian Nikolaos, Deputy Director of the Directorate for Strategy, Regulation and Foreign Relations of the National Railway Company “CFR” - S.A.

During the meeting the following issues were considered:

• Development and finalization of timetables for the movement of trains, formation diagrams of the passenger trains and provision of wagons in them in the international traffic for 2018/2019 (20 subgroups were established to consider this agenda item);
• Follow-up of the timetables for the movement of international passenger trains throughout the border crossing points for the period of 6 months of 2018 and measures taken in 2018 to be in line with the timetables (based on the information provided by BC, BDZ, MAV, LG, CFM, PKP, Russian Railways JSC, “Ukrzaliznytsia” PJSC);
• Consideration of proposals for the development and improvement of international passenger transport.

As a result of consideration, the timetables for the movement of trains, formation diagrams of the passenger trains and provision of wagons in them in the international traffic for 2018/2019 were agreed upon.

The meeting agreed on the agenda for the next meeting of the 1^st Group of railways on the preliminary coordination of the timetables for the movement of international passenger trains, formation diagrams of the passenger trains and provision of wagons in them in the international traffic for 2019-2020, to be held from 13 till 17 May 2019 in the Republic of Moldova.

The meeting also agreed to hold the meeting of Group I of railways for the finalization of the timetable for the international passenger trains for 2019/2020 in the period from 12 till 16 August 2019 in the Republic of Serbia.

Under the item “Consideration of proposals for the development and improvement of international passenger traffic” a number of issues were considered relating to the changes in the timetable and the formation of trains.

1. ZSSK addressed the “Ukrzaliznytsia” PJSC with a request to consider the possibility of changing the route for the facultative through coach No. 783 Kosice - Kiev for Kosice - Odessa, from 15.06.2019 to 15.09.2019. The “Ukrzaliznytsia” PJSC will consider this proposal and inform about the decision taken until 20.09.2018.
2. The “Ukrzaliznytsia” PJSC addressed the ZSSK with a request to consider the possibility of extending the routes of trains No. 8861/8862, No. 8863/8862 Chop - Cierna nad Tisoy to the Kosice station. The ZSSK will consider this proposal and will notify its decision by 28.09.2018.
3. According to the previously reached agreements, in order to dis­cuss the topical issues of passenger traffic development, including the traffic volume growth between Ukraine and Slovakia, the ZSSK addressed the “Ukrzaliznytsia” PJSC with a request to confirm the possibility of participating in a bilateral meeting of the heads of railways in Bratislava.
4. The PKP Intercity JSC informed the “Ukrzaliznytsia” PJSC that when trains run in the general turnover at thr Przemysl station, the time at the points of turnover should be at least 50 minutes, which should be taken into account when developing the traffic timetables for 2019/2020.
5. On the basis of the previously reached agreements at the meeting in Chernovtsy, the “CFR Kalatori” JSC asked the “Ukrzaliznytsia” PJSC to coordinate in the traffic schedule for 2018/2019 the running of new passenger trains in the service Suceava - Vadul-Siret with the organisation of the transshipment of passengers onto the trains of the “Ukrzaliznytsia” PJSC formation in the service Vadul-Siret - Chernovtsy.

If positive results are obtained in regard to the testing of the processing precedure of travel documents when making seat reservations for trains No. 705/706, 715/716 Kiev - Przemysl, No. 67/68 Kiev - Warsaw, No. 35/36 Odessa - Przemysl, No. 51/52 Lvov - Wroclaw (UZ) both in the direction ‘there’, and in the direction ‘back’ in the reservation system of “Ukrzaliznytsia” PJSC, for the PKP Intercity coach (running as part of the train No. 51/52) in the PKP reservation system - the allocation of the norms for the return seats for both parties shall be cancelled starting from the nearest possible date.

6. The participants of the train route No. 9/10 Moscow - Warsaw “Polonez”*: RZD JSC, FPC JSC, BC, “PKP Intercity” JSC expressed their common interest in keeping the operation of the train “Polonez” in the traffic schedule for 2018/2019 year. The “PKP Intercity” JSC informed the meeting participants about the available facts of of passengers - citizens of the European Union and other countries - at the station of Smolensk from the Warsaw - Moscow train No. 10, despite the fact that they all had all the necessary travel documents and visas, and addressed the Russian Railways JSC and the FPC JSC with a request to assist in the settlement of this issue with the state authorities of the Russian Federation involved^**.

The “PKP Intercity” JSC informed about the risk of cancellation of the operation of train No. 9/10 Moscow - Warsaw departing from Moscow since 7 December 2018, from Warsaw - since 8 December 2018 and suspension of the agreement on the sale of tickets for trains No. 13/14 Moscow - Berlin, No. 17/18 Moscow - Nice, No. 21/22 Moscow - Prague, No. 23/24 Moscow - Paris, if this issue has not been settled by the end of September 2018.

7. Due to the lack of passengers’ demand, the FPC JSC addressed the “PKP Intercity” JSC and the “PKP PLK” JSC with a request to cancel the commercial stop at the station of Częstochowa in the timetable of trains No. 17/18 Moscow - Nice, No. 21/22 Moscow - Prague in the traffic schedule for 2018/2019.
8. The ‘PKP Intercity’ JSC informed the MAV-Start company that the representative of the dining car of the train No.

131 must be in the car at least 90 minutes before the planned departure from the Warsaw-Grochov technical station.

9. The ‘PKP Intercity’ JSC informed LG that it was interested in establishing in the long term a direct connection between Warsaw and Kaunas, but the necessary condition is to provide the locomotive traction service for the train within the Lithuanian section (LG company).
10. The “PKP Intercity” JSC informed BC that due to the lack of sufficient direct passenger traffic from Grodno to Krakow and back (less than 7%), the preservation of the train route No. 303/304 to Krakow station is not practical. The ‘PKP Intercity’ JSC changes the route of the “Hancza” train from Suwałki - Białystok - Warsaw - Krakow to Suwałki - Białystok - Warsaw - Katowice - Gliwice, so the coaches of the Grodno - Białystok - Warsaw - Kraków intercity service will also run in the service of Grodno - Bialystok - Warsaw - Katowice -

In connection with the change in the route of train No. 303/304 Grodno - Krakow to Grodno - Gliwice, BC proposed to arrange the transplantation of passengers traveling from Grodno to the Krakow Station and back, via Warsaw or the Katowice Station. The “PKP Intercity” JSC informed the BC that the possibility fot transshipping the passengers will continue.

11. BC reiterated its request to PKP to organise possible running of the train Bialystok - Grodno - Bialystok in the schedule for 2018/2019 according to the following provisional timetable:

- №192 Bialystok 01.00, Kuznitsa 01.50-02.50 (CET***), Grodno 05.30 (EET****),

- №191 Grodno 07.00 (EET), Kuznitsa 05.38­06.38 (CET), Bialystok 07.25,

- №194 Bialystok16.20, Kuznitsa 17.00-18.00

(CET), Grodno 20.40 (EET),

- №193 Grodno 22.10 (EET), Kuznitsa 20.52­21.50, (CET), Bialystok 22.40.

The above timetable of trains has the possibility of transshipping passengers at the Grodno station to trains running in the direction of Minsk and back.

The “PKP Intercity”: JSC informed BC that in the train schedule for 2018/2019 there is no possibility of assigning additional trains on the Bialystok-Grodno section due to the lack of additional financing for these trains from the Ministry of Infrastructure of the Republic of Poland.

12. BC proposed to arrange the running of trains with RIC-gauge (of BC) coaches in the service Brest - Warsaw - Brest in the schedule for 2018/2019 using the timetable of train No. 9/10 Moscow - Warsaw in the days of its absence on the Brest-Warsaw section.
13. In connection with the Second European Games to be held in Minsk in 2019 in the period from 21 till 30 June, BC appealed to PKP with a request to work out the timetable for additional trains in the service Brest - Terespol - Brest from 09.12.2018 to 07.12.2019 as follows:

- Warsaw-Central 14.10, Terespol 16.41-17.24 (CET), Brest-C. (Bug post) 19.32-19.37 (EET), Brest-Central 19.45,

- Brest-Central 21.44, Brest-C. (Bug post) 21.52­21.57 (EET), Terespol 20.05-20.50 (CET), Warsaw-Central 23.25.

BC and PKP PLK JSC developed jointly a provisional timetable for the train “Starzynski” in the service Warsaw - Brest - Warsaw, instead of Warsaw - Terespol - Warsaw with a change in the arrival time in Warsaw to 23.25 (instead of 21.25).

14. According to the minutes of the meeting of the representatives of “PKP Intercity” JSC, “Przewozy Regionalne” LLC and BC, held in Brest on 23-24 July 2018, BC together with the PKP PLK JSC considered the technical possibility of adjusting the timetable for train No. 126 Terespol - Brest with the possibility of arranging the transfer of passengers from the train arriving from the Lukow station to the Terespol station at 21.03. BC and the PKP PLK JSC developed a timetable for train No. 126 Terespol - Brest with a later departure from the Terespol station at 21.38 (CET), instead of 21.03 on 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 days of the week.

Train No. 126 Terespol - Brest runs on the 5 ^th and 7^th days of the week with a modified timetable: Terespol 19:45 (CET), Brest-C. (Bug post) 21:53­21:58 (EET), Brest-Central 22:06.

BC informed that changing the arrival time of train No. 126 in Brest at 23.59 instead of 23.24 would result in a change in the departure time of train No. 96 Brest -Moscow from the Brest station.

This issue should be coordinated with the “Przewozy Regionalne” LLC and BC will be respectively informed of the results.

15. ZSR and ZSSK plan to run during the summer period on Saturdays and Sundays trains in the service Poprad - Muszyna and have proposed a draft timetable for them:

- No. 8361 Poprad 8:00, Muszyna 09:44,

- No. 8360 Muszyna 10:24, Poprad 12:02,

- No. 8363 Poprad 15:27, Muszyna 17;15

- No. 8362 Muszyna 18:48, Poprad 20:27.

16. At the request of the administration of the Silesian Province (Wojewódstwo Śląskie, Poland) and the Ministry of Transport and Construction of the Slovak Republic, the possibility of operating two pairs of trains in the service of Zilina to Katowice via the border crossing point of Zwardon - Skalite was considered. ZSR have proposed the following train numbers:

• 334 Zilina - Katowice,
• 333 Katowice - Zilina,
• 335 Katowice - Zilina,
• 336 Zilina - Katowice. 

Meeting of the representatives of railways and foreign trade organisations on the coordination of the volumes of transportation of export, import and transit goods by rail for 2018 and measures for their provision

From 26 February till 2 March 2018, a meeting of the representatives of railways and foreign trade organisations of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Republic of Kazakhstan, People’s Republic of China, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Mongolia and Russian Federation on the coordination of the volumes of transportation of export, import and transit goods by rail for 2018 and measures for their provision was held in Warsaw, Republic of Poland.

The Deputy Chairman of the OSJD Committee Victor Zhukov addressed the meeting with a welcoming speech on behalf of the OSJD Committee management. He noted that this meeting was one of the most large-scale among OSJD events in terms of the large number of participants and the range of issues discussed that play an important role for the international freight traffic on the Eurasian space.

Welcoming the meeting participants, the OSJD Committee Secretary, Mr. Attila Kiss, stressed the importance of the issues under consideration, particularly for the organisation of freight traffic not only between the countries represented at the meeting but between all the OSJD member countries and other states of the Eurasian space.

The meeting was chaired by the Chairperson of the OSJD Commission on Freight Traffic, Ms. Zubaida Aspayeva.

During the meeting the following issues were considered:

• Summing up the results of the freight traffic volumes for 2017.
• Coordination of transportation volumes for export, import and transit goods for 2018 and their distribution by quarters and cargo types for each border crossing point.
• Development of technical and organisational measures to follow the agreed volumes of freight traffic for 2018.
• Proposals from railways.
• Matching of maturities and venue of the next meeting in 2019 and others.

To consider the issues on the meeting agenda, 12 subgroups were set up.

The delegations participating in the meeting informed each other about the implementation of the traffic volumes for the foreign trade cargoes in the communication between the countries and about the organisational and technical measures taken to ensure their agreed amounts.

Progress in implementing the traffic volumes for the foreign trade cargoes in 2017 is characterized by the following data:

The parties have given the following estimates for the agreed traffic volumes of export, import and transit goods, implemented in 2017, by the following communications:

Russia - DPRK

In 2017, 1.9 million tons goods were transported from Russia to the DPRK, which is 9% or 156.4 thousand tons more as compared to the level of 2016. The main nomenclature of transported com­modities has been coal. From the DPRK to Russia 35 tons of goods were transported in 2017.

Russia - People’s Republic of China

In 2017, 28.2 million tons of goods were transported from Russia to the People’s Republic of China, which is 21% or 4.9 million tons more against 2016. The main nomenclature of transported commodities included: timber cargoes - 16.9 million tons (+11%), coal - 4.5 million tons (6.2 times more), ore - 3.1 million tons (-18%), cellulose - 1.3 million tons (+8%), chemical mineral fertilizers - 1 million tons (-34%).

From China, 3.4 million tons of goods were transported to Russia, which is 40.5% or 993 thousand tons more as compared to the level of 2016.

The main nomenclature of transported commodities included: chemical goods - 551.4 thousand tons (-10%), fabricated metal prod­ucts - 485.2 thousand tons (+63%), ferrous metals - 282 thousand tons (+16%), construction materials 285.2 thousand tons (-7.99%).

Russia - Mongolia

In 2017, 2.1 million tons of goods were transported from Russia to Mongolia, which is 34% or 535.1 thousand tons more than in the year of 2016. The main nomenclature of transported commodities included: oil cargo - 1.4 million tons (+26%), grain cargo - 213.5 thousand tons (+9%), chemical mineral fertilizers - 106.4 thousand tons (+67%).

From Mongolia, 225.3 thousand tons were transported to Russia, which is 14% or 28.1 thousand tons more as compared to the level of 2016. The main nomenclature of transported goods was represented by ore - 39.7 thousand tons (+73%).

People’s Republic of China - Mongolia

Transportation of foreign trade goods from China to Mongolia in 2017 was implemented at a level of 96%, and in the opposite direction - at a level of 113% against 2016.

Russia - Mongolia - People’s Republic of China

In 2017, from Russia to China, 2.6 million tons were transported via Mongolia, which is 28.4% or 564.6 thousand tons higher than in 2016. The main nomenclature of transported goods was: timber cargo - 1.5 million tons (+16%), cellulose - 670.8 thousand tons (+ 16%), oil cargo - 244 thousand tons (2.6 times).

From China to Russia, 575,000 tons were transported through Mongolia, that is 86% or 266,000 tons higher than in 2016.

The main nomenclature of transported goods consisted of chemical cargoes - 224.5 thousand tons (-10%), including 207.6 thousand tons of containerised cargo.

Socialist Republic of Vietnam - People’s Republic of China

In 2017, the volume of freight traffic from China to Vietnam amounted to 453.5 thousand tons, which is 85.4% as compared to 2016. The volumes of cargo transportation from Vietnam to China in 2017 amounted to 378.6 thousand tons, which is 237.4% as compared to 2016.

The volume of cargo traffic from Vietnam via China to third countries amounted to 825 tons in 2017.

Kazakhstan - People’s Republic of China

The volume of cargo transportation from China to Kazakhstan in 2017 amounted to 4622 thousand tons having increased by 28% in comparison with 2016.

In 2017 the volume of freight traffic from Kazakhstan to China amounted to 5529 thousand tons having increased by 18% in comparison with 2016.

Russia - Kazakhstan - People’s Republic of China

In 2017, 871 thousand tons were transported from Russia and transit through Russia and Kazakhstan, which is 28% or 189,800 tons more than in 2016. The main nomenclature of transported goods included: containerised cargoes - 366.2 thousand tons (2.5-time growth), timber cargoes - 236.1 thousand tons (+18%), fertilizers - 49.6 thousand tons (5.6-time growth).

From China to Russia and transit through the territory of Kazakhstan and Russia 995.5 thousand tons were transported, which is 51% or 334.6 thousand tons more than the level of 2016. The main nomenclature of transported commodities was: containerised cargoes – 805 thousand tons, including 726 thousand tons in transit in Kazakhstan and Russia (2.5-time growth), ferrous metals - 64.8 thousand tons (4.3-time growth), chemical goods - 84.3 thousand tons (-45%).

The parties agreed on the transportation volumes of export, import and transit cargoes for 2018 with their distribution by quarters, border crossing points and by types of cargo.

In order to identify the exact titles of goods when agreeing on monthly cargo transportation plans, the Parties agreed on the nomenclature of export, import and transit goods.

It has been agreed as follows:

- when signing contracts for the supply of goods exceeding the agreed volumes for the year of 2018, the possibility of performing these transportations will be considered and resolved when the monthly operational plans are coordinated, taking into account the throughput of border crossing points;

• starting from 2019, “Cargo transportation in containers” in the reporting and planned years will be measured also in the Twenty Equivalent Units (TEU);
• consider changes in the nomenclature of goods and communicate opinions to each other and to the OSJD Committee by 1 August 2018.

The parties agreed on the Organisational and Technical Measures to Ensure the Imple­mentation of the Transportation Volumes of Exports, Import and Transit Goods for 2018, including, inter alia, the following:

- to continue working towards reducing the idling time of wagons and locomotives at border stations by means of:

• compliance with SMGS and SI to SMGS;
• increasing the transportation steadiness of foreign trade goods (except seasonal) during the year, quarters and months;
• timely formation of trains and their strict departure in accordance with the agreed timetables;
• accelerated turnover of locomotives and wagons;
• transportation channeling of bulk cargoes through identified routes (coal, coke, oil, oil products, metal and iron ore, fertilizers, timber, etc.);
• timely cleaning of empty wagons after unloading and their faster return to the railways - owners;
• improving the technological processes for the transmission of trains in international traffic in strict accordance with the requirements of SMGS, SI to SMGS and PGW;
• improving the mutual information systems between the border railways in regard to the availability, approaching of goods and wagons to the border stations;
• taking necessary measures to improve the technical conditions of freight wagons, avoiding the departure of goods in wagons that do not meet the technical requirements of the PGW Rules;
• in order to avoid the long idle time of wagons at the border stations when carrying good through transit railways, the payer tittle for each of the carriers shall be indicated in box 23 of the SMGS consignment note;
• for the purpose of making unimpeded transfer of trains, loaded with foreign trade goods, through border crossing points, the Parties carry out monthly planning of cargo transportation; the volumes of foreign trade freight traffic are to be transferred monthly for coordination by telegrams, fax, telex or by e-mail between

the central authorities of the railways participating in the transportation according to the established nomenclature of goods no later than 10 days prior to the beginning of the planned month, whereas the responses on the accepted volumes of transportations must be notified within three working days after the request was received;

- the following information should be indicated in the telegrams for the coordination of transportation volumes of foreign trade goods: the country of departure, the country of destination, the names of the border stations, the name of the cargo, the number of tons, wagons or containers (indicating the dimensions in feet and type); for the coordination of transportations to third countries the following information is indicated: the names of carriers through the European railways in accordance with Annex 5 to SMGS, destination stations, forwarding organisations that ensure payment through transit railways;

• the goods that were not foreseen for transportation through the border stations by the plan, as well as goods presented for transportation as a result of additional contracts, can be accepted for carriage only after obtaining consent for their reception from the railways participating in the transportation; when coordinating the reception of additional amounts of goods the border railways and stations are to be informed simultaneously about the corresponding increase in an average daily rate of the goods to be transferred by their nomenclature and weight in tons, and the carrier who accepted the application for freight transportation, is obliged to coordinate it in an established order; carriers must respond within three working days after receiving the request for transportation;
• in accordance with the agreed monthly volumes of freight traffic and additional applications for the carriage of certain goods, border stations should ensure unimpeded reception and exclude cases of unreasonable refusal to accept the agreed volumes of cargoes; goods loaded in accordance with the plan of the previous month, but arriving at border stations next month, should be received without hindrance;
• the Parties will take measures to transport frozen and regelating cargoes which transportation period falls on the 2^nd and 3^rd quarters, and will inform their consignors about the need to take preventive measures against their frostbite in winter; oil and viscous oil products should be transported in tanks with bottom drainage devices;
• the Parties will take all necessary measures to comply with the requirements of the SMGS Agreement in regard to the qualitative processing of carriage documents, preparation of tare, packaging, marking, implementation of the rules for loading and fastening of goods, sealing of wagons and containers, etc., as well as reliable indication and conformity in the carriage documents of the quantity and signs of seals and the number of seals available actually on the wagon or container; for the carriage of dangerous goods, the Parties shall take all necessary measures to unconditionally implement the SMGS provisions regarding the entry of information in the carriage documents provided for in the Rules for the Transporta­tion of Dangerous Goods (Annex 2 to SMGS) and the qualitative marking of danger warning signs on the wagons, containers and goods;
• the parties will address the foreign trade organisations of Vietnam, Kazakhstan, China, DPRK, Mongolia, Russia, sending cargo with reloading, with a request to provide tare and packaging when concluding the contracts, which will ensure the safety of goods during their transportation and transshipment, as well as the formation of packages for the goods which do not require an examination in case of transshipment.

In order to speed up the transshipment and ensure the safety of goods, the parties will take all necessary measures to use the containers in the transport of goods at maximum extent. In case wagons with export goods are accumulated on the border railways, the central railway authorities, border railways and border stations should take joint measures to improve the interaction and increase the daily reception and transshipment of trains in excess of the established transfer volume.

With a view to timely and qualitatively meeting the transportation needs of consignors, improving the use of rolling stock and optimising the operation of border crossing points, the Parties deemed it necessary to implement a number of the following activities in 2018 in order to:

• organise smooth freight traffic in accordance with the agreed plans;
• activate the work in the field of contractual base;
• ensure the timely return of wagons in accordance with the established requirement crite

ria;

• ensure the reception of trains according to the established schedules of train traffic;
• observe accurately the order of trains’ formation at stations;
• take necessary measures to increase the transport of goods in large-capacity containers;
• in order to rationally use the capacity of the railway infrastructure and to reduce the accumula­tion time of container trains, it is envisaged to increase, where possible, the composition of container trains;
• ensure the safety of train traffic, active measures are planned to be taken to improve the quality of stowing and fastening of goods in containers;
• if necessary, organise
• additional meetings of railway administrative staff and specialists; strengthen the work in order to eliminate inconsistencies in the transport of goods;
• improve the efficiency in the transportation organisation, to continue improving the electronic information exchange procedure between the border stations, including the delivery of preliminary information when the goods approach the adjacent stations;
• when agreeing the transportation of dangerous goods, the UN number and the exact nomen­clature of the goods should be indicate;
• in order to implement the annual volumes, effective measures should be taken to organise and attract additional volumes of goods for the transportation;
• in order to prevent congestions at the border stations of the receiving railway, in the event of any change in the control procedures for the import of goods by the customs, quarantine, phytosanitary and sanitary-epidemiological authorities, the parties should notify each other in advance in order to inform the consignors;
• organise whenever possible the transportation by routes or groups;
• take necessary measures to reduce the time of goods delivery on the own railways;
• continue the work for the traffic organisation by container routes from China in transit through Kazakhstan and Russia to Europe and in the opposite direction.

Within the framework of the meeting, the Chines (KZD), Kazakh (KZH) and Vietnamese (VZD) railways held a tripartite meeting and exchanged views on the perspectives in the development of freight traffic between Kazakhstan, China and Vietnam, in particular, the organisation of international container trains.

During a pentalateral meeting held at the suggestion of VZD the representatives of Vietnam, Kazakhstan, China, Mongolia and Russia discussed the prospects in organising container traffic from Vietnam via China, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Russia to third countries.

The RZD JSC proposed to hold preliminary consultations with the purpose of considering this issue at CGD meeting XXXIII in April 2018 in Vietnam. The Chinese Railways also expressed their readiness to hold a pentalateral meeting in China in the second quarter of 2018.

The parties addressed the Vietnamese Railway with a proposal to provide the Parties with information on the expected volumes of container freight traffic, indicating the nomenclature of goods and routes.

It was noted in the proposals of the Vietnamese Railway, that VZD was ready, together with KZD, KZH, RZD and other railways, to study the possibility of arranging container traffic from Vietnam to China and transit through China to Kazakhstan, Russia and other countries, including the possibility of container trains traffic. Basing on the demonstration runs of container trains, the possibility of regular container train traffic in accordance with the market requirements will be considered. In this regard, VZD addressed the meeting with an invitation to assist in attracting the freight volumes from their countries to Vietnam and vice versa.

Within the framework of the meeting, expert consultations were held between the representatives from VZD, KZH, KZD, UBZD JSC and RZD JSC with a view to finalizing the costs, routes and responsible operators for the organisation of container traffic on the relevant sections of the routes:

Vietnam (Hanoi) - Germany (Duisburg);

Vietnam (Hanoi) - Russia (Moscow, Yekaterinburg, Novosibirsk);

Vietnam (Hanoi) - Kazakhstan (Astana, Almaty);

Vietnam (Hanoi) - Uzbekistan (Tashkent).

When discussing the issue of work organisation for the next year, the head of the VZD delegation confirmed the readiness to host, in the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in March 2019, the meeting on the coordination of the volumes of freight railway traffic for 2019 and on the development of technical and organisational measures for their provision.

Railway Freight Transportation Performance in OSJD Area in 2016

The results of activities in the field of the railway freight transportation in the OSJD area for 2016 were considered during the annual meeting of the OSJD Commission on Freight Traffic held during the period from 11 till 14 October 2016 in the OSJD Committee (furtheron referred to as final meeting), which was attended by the representatives from: Azerbaijani Railways CJSC, Afghanistan Railway Authority (ARA) at the Ministry of Public Work of the IsIslamic Republic of Afghanistan, Byelorussian Railway (BC), CJSC “Hungarian State Railways” (CJSC MAV), Vietnamese Railway State Company (VZD), JSC Georgian Railway (GR), Railway of the Islamic Republic of Iran (RAI), JSC “Kazakhstan Temir Zholy National Company” (KZH), Chinese Railways (KZD), Railways of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (ZC), “Kyrgyz Temir Zholu National Enterprise” State Company (KRG), State JSC Latvian Railway (LDZ), JSC Lithuanian Railways (LG), State Enterprise “Railway of Moldova” (CFM), JSC “Ulan-Bator Railway” (JSC UBZD), Polish State Railways (PKP JSC), “Russian Railways” JSC (RZD JSC), railway freight transportation in the OSJD area for 2016 were considered during the annual meeting of the OSJD Commission on Freight Traffic held during the period from 11 till 14 October 2016 in the OSJD Committee (furtheron referred to as final meeting), which was attended by the representatives from: Azer­baijani Railways CJSC, Afghanistan Railway Authority (ARA) at the Ministry of Public Work of the IsIslamic Republic of Afghanistan, Byelorussian Railway (BC), CJSC “Hungarian State Railways” (CJSC MAV), Vietnamese Railway State Company (VZD), JSC Georgian Railway (GR), Railway of the Islamic Republic of Iran (RAI), JSC “Kazakhstan Temir Zholy National Company” (KZH), Chinese Railways (KZD), Railways of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (ZC), “Kyrgyz Temir Zholu National Enterprise” State Company (KRG), State JSC Latvian Railway (LDZ), JSC Lithu­anian Railways (LG), State Enterprise “Railway of Moldova” (CFM), JSC “Ulan-Bator Railway” (JSC UBZD), Polish State Railways (PKP JSC), “Russian Railways” JSC (RZD JSC), Railway Society of Cargo Slovakia JSC (ZSSK Cargo), State Unitary Enterprise “Rohi Ohani Tojikiston” (TDZ), PJSC Ukrainian Railway - Ukrzaliznytsia (UZ), “Czech Railways Cargo” JSC (CD Cargo), JSC Estonian Railway (EVR), as well as an OSJD observer -“German Railway” JSC (DB AG); OSJD affiliated enterprises - Freightliner Group LLC, CTL Logistics LLC, CTM LLC, Freight One JSC, Association of Transport High Schools, PLASKE JSC, OLTIS Group JSC; the international organisations -Euroasian Economic Commission (EAEC), UIC and OSJD Committee.

Addressing the meeting participants with a welcome speech Attila Kiss, Secretary of the OSJD Committee, emphasized the relevance of the issues being discussed by the specialists and experts of the Commission of OSJD Commission on Freight Traffic and noted their importance which was achieved within 60 years of OSJD’s activities.

In addition to organisational, the meeting agenda included the following issues for considered:

• work results of the OSJD Commission on Freight Traffic in 2016 on the following subjects:
• “Improvement of the Agreement on the Uniform Transit Tariff (ETT) and updating of ETT”;
• “Improvement of the Agreement on the International Railway Transit Tariff (MTT) and updating of MTT”;
• “Updating of the Agreement on PGW, changes and amendments into the Rules for the Use of Freight Wagons in International Traffic (PGW), works to revise the PGW Rules”;
• “Improvement and updating of the Harmonised Commodity Code (GNG)”;
• “Creation of the List of Freight Stations of OSJD Railways”;
• “Organisation of large-container traffic in communication between Europe and Asia”;
• “Extending the practical application of the uniform CIM/SMGS consignment note”;
• “Works under the joint UNESCAP-OSJD projects”;
• “Coordination of freight trains timetables of the OSJD railways in international traffic”;
• “Coordination of goods transportation volumes in the international traffic”;
• “Organisation of heavy-haul traffic”.

The final meeting has coordinated the drafts of the Report on “Activity results of the OSJD Commission on Freight Traffic for 2016" and the Work Plan of the Commission for 2017.

Improvement of the Agreement on the Uniform Transit Tariff (ETT) and updating of ETT

During the period from 17 till 20 May 2016 the city of Almaty (Republic of Kazakhstan) hosted the meeting of the representatives of the Parties to the Agreement on ETT.

The representatives of the following Parties to the Agreement on ETT took part in the meeting: AZ, VZD, GR, KZH, KZD, KRG, LDZ, CFM, UBZD JSC, Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation, TDZ and UZ, as well as a representative of the OSJD Committee.

The meeting discussed the proposals and amendments by the Parties of the Agreement regarding the improvement of the Agreement on ETT and updating of the ETT Tariff which were received from KZH, KZD, the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation, UTI and UZ. The Agreement and the ETT Tariff have been updated following the change in the UTI title. These changes have come into effect since 10 June 2016.

The parties to the Agreement approved changes and amendments into the ETT Tariff which took effect from 1 October 2016.

During 2016 the OSJD Committee being the depositary of the Agreement has declared effective the changes and amendments into the tables of transit distances in accordance with the provisions of the Agreement on ETT and basing on the formal notices of the Parties to the Agreement.

The working staff of the OSJD Commission prepared and posted on the OSJD website the actual texts of the Agreement on ETT and the ETT Tariff taking into account the announced changes and amendments.

The meeting approved to include the work on this subject into the draft Work Plan of the Commission for 2017.

Improvement of the Agreement on the International Railway Transit Tariff (MTT) and updating of MTT

Within this subject the XXVII meeting of the representatives of the parties to the Agreement on MTT was held from 28 June till 1 July 2016 in the city of Karlovy Vary (Czech Republic). Detailed information about this meeting has been published in the OSJD Bulletin journal No. 4-5/2016 (pages 37-40) and placed on the OSJD website (https://osjd.org).

Updating of the Agreement on PGW, changes and amendments into the Rules for the Use of Freight Wagons in International Traffic (PGW)

Following the results of the meetings of the representatives of the Parties to the Agreement on PGW, held within this subject, the following annexes to the actual PGW Rules have been updated:

• Annex 7 “List of addresses and phone/fax numbers by which spare parts for the repair of goods wagons can be requested and returned”;
• Annex 7a “List of addresses, phone numbers, telefaxes and telexes of the railways central bodies, central bodies of wagon management services and central accounting bureaux”.

The proposals into the new edition of the Agreement on PGW and ita annexes were considered and approved which were received from BC, KZH, LG and ZSSK Cargo.

The Commission meeting participants were informed that CGD meeting XXXI (25-29 April 2016, city of Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyz Republic) approved the “Report on the performance of AWG on PGW revision” and took a decision to deem the AWG work on PGW revision completed.

At CGD meeting XXXI the parties to the Agreement on PGW approved the complex changes and amendments into the Agreement on PGW and determined the date of their entrance into effect - 1 July 2017, as well as established the Procedure of the preparatory period for entry into force of the complex changes and amendments into the Agreement on PGW.

Following the decision of CGD meeting XXXI a meeting of the representatives of the parties to the Agreement on PGW was held (15-17 November 2016, OSJD Committee).

The working staff of the Commission prepared an actual text of the current Agreement on PGW as of 1 July 2016, as well as a text of the Agreement on PGW taking into account complex changes and amendments coming into force since 1 July 2017 which texts have been posted on the OSJD website (https://osjd.org).

The final meeting has approved to include into the draft Work Plan of the Commission for 2017 the following works:

• improvement of the Agreement on PGW with its annexes;
• consideration of the OSJD Leaflet O+R 401 “General terms for registration and operation of private wagons in the international traffic” taking into account the revised PGW Rules;
• updating of the joint OSJD/UIC Leaflet O 402 “Rules of exchange and operation of freight wagons of new generation in the traffic between the railways with track gauges of 1435 mm and 1520 mm” taking into account the revised PGW Rules.

Improvement and updating of the Harmonised Commodity Code (GNG)

This subject was considered at the Commission meeting (22-25 March 2016, Zamosc, Republic of Poland) attended by the represen­tatives of the OSJD railways applying GNG, as well as the CTM LLC - an OSJD affiliated enterprise - and President of the UIC Steering Committee concerning NHM/DIUM issues.

The meeting considered the proposals and remark of the OSJD railways applying GNG in regard to the improvement and updating of the Harmonised Commodity Code (GNG) for the purpose of ensuring its harmonisation with the UIC Harmonized Commodity Code (NHM) - version of 2016.

The amendments and changes into the GNG Code approved at the meeting which draft was prepared by the GNG leading developer in OSJD - the Russian Railways JSC - taking into account the proposals and remarks of the OSJD railways applying GNG were approved by CGD meeting XXXI with their effect since 1 June 2016.

The OSJD Committee as the GNG depositary declared these amendments and changes effective since 1 June 2016.

The GNG actual text as of 1 June 2016 has been posted onto the OSJD website.

Within the framework of the OSJD and UIC cooperation, the representatives of the following OSJD railways: LG, RZD JSC (leading developer), CFR Marfa, CD Cargo and the OSJD Committee took part in the annual UIC meeting of the Steering committee concerning NHM/ DIUM issues (1-2 March 2016, Paris, France) at which amendments and changes into the NHM Code were approved with their entry into force since 1 May 2016. During the meeting the President of the UIC Steering Committee concerning NHM/DIUM issues noted that both organisations cooperate between each other on a very high level thus promoting the harmonisation of both OSJD and UIC documents.

The final meeting participants noted that participation of the leading developer, representatives of the concerned OSJD railways and OSJD Committee in the annual meetings of the UIC Steering Committee concerning NHM/DIUM issues is desirable for the purpose of further harmonization of the GNG and NHM Codes.

The final meeting agreed to enclose into the draft Work Plan for 2017 the activities for updating and improving the GNG Code, taking into account and including those amendments and changes, adopted into the NHM Code of 2017 version by the UIC Steering Committee con­cerning NHM/DIUM issues and changes in the Combined Nomenclature (CN) of the European Union Customs Union (EUCU).

The final meeting participants considered it feasible to continue the activities on this subject in cooperation with UIC and with participation of the OSJD affiliated enterprise - CTM LLC.

Creation of the List of Freight Stations of OSJD Railways

This subject was discussed at the Commission meeting (22-25 March 2016, Zamosc, Republic of Poland) attended by the experts of the OSJD Permanent Working Group on Coding and IT and the UIC.

To complete the List of Freight Stations of OSJD Railways in accordance with the provisions of Leaflet O 405 “Regulations for creation and administration of the List of Freight Stations of OSJD Railways” (II-nd edition) new data was provided by KZD and ZC. The following railways have updated their data: GR, KZH, LG, PKP JSC, RZD JSC, CFR Marfa, ZSSK Cargo, TDZ, and UZ.

Updated information as regards the List of Freight Stations of OSJD Railways has been posted on the OSJD website in the PDF format.

Organisation of large-container traffic in communication between Europe and Asia

The work results on this subject were considered at an expert meeting of the Commission (28 June - 1 July 2016, Hanoi, Vietnam).

Within this subject the leading duty holder - KZH updated the database on container trains and piggyback service in the international traffic on the basis of the data provided by the following OSJD railways: BC, MAV CJSC, KZH, KZD, LDZ, LG, CFM, UBZD JSC, RZD JSC, ZSSK Cargo, UZ, CD Cargo and EVR. The data has not been provided by AZ, BDZ, VZD, GR, RAI, ZC, KRG, PKP, CFR Marfa, TDZ, TRK, and UTI.

It should be noted that 200 container block trains and contrailer trains have been organised and run on the OSJD railways on a regular basis, whereas 278 trains set off on request.

The updated information on the container trains and contrailer traffic as of 14 October 2016 prepared by the leading duty holder on this sub-topic on the basis of the data received from the railways is published in the OSJD Bulletin journal No. 6/2016 and on the OSJD Website.

The leading duty holder suggested that when forming the database it is advisable to show the dynamics of work organisation in the field of container block trains and contrailer traffic, which includes information on the containers volumes carried as part of container trains and combined transport.

The final meeting participants supported the proposal of the leading duty holder.

UZ, being a leading duty holder on the subtopic “Database build-up for the volume indicators of container traffic” performed work on to build up the database of the large-container traffic volumes on the OSJD railways for 2014­2015 on the basis of the data provided by the following railways: AZ, BC, BDZ, KZH, KZD, KRG, LDZ, LG, CFM, UBZD JSC, RZD JSC, ZSSK Cargo, UTI, UZ, CD Cargo and EVR.

The analysis has shown that in 2015 the OSJD railways admitted 1759.0 thousand TEUs and 1960.0 thousand DFE were handed over that is 17% and 14% less against 2014, respectively.

The data has not been provided by MAV CJSC, VZD, GR, RAI, ZC, PKP, CFR Marfa, TDZ and TRK.

KZH, being a leading duty holder on the subtopic “Updating and follow-up of the electronic version of the Reference Book “Transportation of Large Containers and Contrailer Traffic between Europe and Asia” has updated the Reference Book taking into account the provided data.

The representatives of the OSJD railways delivered reports to the final meeting in regard to the activities performed in the field of the organisation of goods traffic in large containers in communication Europe - Asia - Europe, including the traffic of container block trains.

The information submitted by the railways concerning the performed activities in the field of the organisation of large container traffic in communication Europe - Asia - Europe, including container block trains, is in full shown in the draft Report “Work results of the OSJD Commission on Freight Traffic for 2016”.

The representative of PLASKE JSC (OSJD affiliated enterprise) informed the meeting participants about the transit traffic in Ukraine, the main projects for the development of intermodal transport in the region and the initiative of the railways of Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Ukraine for the organisation of large-container traffic in communication China - Europe - China along the route crossing the Caspian and Black Seas by using the direct railway ferry service and integration of container trains at this direction.

The representative of the Association of Transport High Schools (OSJD affiliated member) delivered a presentation to the final meeting participants on the subject “Management and administration of the Foreign Trade Traffic in the Transport Corridors of Europe and Asia”.

Extending the practical application of the uniform CIM/SMGS consignment note

This subject was discussed at an expert meeting of the Commission (28 June - 1 July 2016, Hanoi, Vietnam).

The railways have performed a large amount of work for the reporting period aimed at the organisation of freight traffic in wagons and containers under the use of the uniform CIM/SMGS consignment note from China to the countries of Europe and in the opposite direction.

The chairperson of the meeting emphasised that by expanding the geographical coverage of the uniform CIM/SMGS consignment note for the whole transit route of goods through the railways applying various legal systems makes it possible to organise transportation without re-wrighting carriage documents on the borders, to reduce the delivery time of goods, to better the organisational issues of freight traffic and, thereby, to provide conditions for attracting additional goods volumes onto the railways.

The summarised information for 2014-2015 concerning the goods transportation volumes carried under the use of the uniform CIM/SMGS consignment note in the international traffic has been prepared by the RZD JSC, which is a leading duty holder on the subject.

The meeting participants were informed about the project of “Rail transport of mail and parcels between China and Europe", implemented by the Universal Postal Union (UPU), CIT and CCTT. Besides, it was noted that pilot projects within this subject have been carried out for the time being with the participation of the following railways: KZD, “KTZ NC” JSC, RZD JSC, BC, PKP, DB AG.

Taking into account this experience it was suggested that the OSJD member countries speed up the activities in this perspective area.

Works under the joint UNESCAP-OSJD projects

Taking into account the growing interest in mutual trade between the countries of South-East Asia, Central Asia, the Caucasus and Europe in order to attract additional amounts of goods flows onto the railway transport and to ensure free carriage of goods, the OSJD Commission experts continued their activities in cooperation with UNES- CAP with the purpose of increasing the efficiency of railway freight transport between those regions.

For the purpose of cooperation development in the field of joint UNESCAP-OSJD projects implementation, the JSC “Kazakhstan Temir Zholy National Company” (KZH) being a leading duty holder on this subject repeatedly invited the UNESCAP Secretariat to provide their proposals for working out the actions of joint projects further implementation. At this stage the reply is expected from the UNESCAP Secretariat.

Meanwhile the UNESCAP Secretariat has been implementing the following projects for the time being: “Development of barrier-free intermodal transport services in North-East and Central Asia with the railways participation for the purpose of expanding the Euroasian transport connections” and "Facilitation of cross-border transportation in the international railway traffic”.

Within the framework of these projects implementation the experts of the Commission have been carrying out their activities towards:

- determining the list of the current requirements to the railway intermodal transport documentation with automobile and sea transport segments, as well as facilitating the border-crossing procedures by rail;

- analyzing the available international best practices;

- offering possible ways of simplification and streamlining of documentation flows and formalities regarding railway intermodal transportation (including in seaports and at border crossing points) between member countries of the project in the North-East and in Central Asia.

In April 2016 the UNESCAP representatives held a number of meetings in Kazakhstan with the personnel of the governmental bodies, national railway companies and transport-forwarding companies aimed at the implementation of these projects.

Coordination of freight trains timetables of the OSJD railways in international traffic

During the period from 1 till 4 February 2016 the city of Sinae (Romania) hosted the Commission meeting devoted to the issues of development and coordination of freight trains timetables by the border crossing points for the European railways and group I of the OSJD railways for the period of 2016-2017.

The remarks of the railways were considered within the subgroups; timetables for the freight trains by the border crossing points were worked out and approved for the period of 2016-2017.

Coordination of goods transportation volumes in international traffic

This subject was considered at a meeting of the representatives of railways and foreign- trade organisations (29.02.-04.03.2016, Sochi, Russian Federation) which was attended by the representatives of the following OSJD railways: VZD, KZH, KZD, ZC, UBZD JSC and RZD JSC, as well as the representatives of the foreign trade organisations of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Republic of Kazakhstan, People’s Republic of China, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Mongolia, Russian Federation and OSJD Committee.

The meeting participants summarised the results of following up the foreign-trade goods volumes planned for the year 2015 and coordinated the transportation volumes for export, import and transit

cargo flows for the year 2016 with their distribution by quarters and by types of goods by each border crossing point, as well as worked out technical and organisational measures to ensure the agreed level of freight traffic volumes.

Organisation of heavy-haul traffic

Within this subject, an OSJD International Seminar was held in the city of Warsaw on 7-8 April 2016 under the title “Organisation of heavy- haul / long-train traffic” (further on referred to as Seminar) which was attended by more than 50 representatives of transport administrations, railway carriers, wagon-building enterprises, transport high schools and transport scientific- research institutions of Azerbaijan, Hungary, Vietnam, Germany, Kazakhstan, DPRK, Latvia, Moldova, Mongolia, Poland, Russia, Slovakia, Uzbekistan, Ukraine, Czech Republic, Sweden, UIC and OSJD Committee.

The seminar was devoted to discuss the following thematic blocks:

• development of heavy-haul traffic in the Euroasian area (international experience, technologies, operation);
• infrastructure and railway rolling stock of increased load-carrying capacity;
• ensuring the border crossing for heavy-haul and long trains;
• efficiency of heavy-haul and long-train operation.

The Seminar participants listened to the presentations and reports of the speakers. Following the results of the discussions and experience exchange the participants worked out Recommendations for the heavy-haul and long-train traffic organisation.

The results of the Seminar have shown that the heavy-haul and long-train traffic organisation on the Euroasian continent are largely effected by the level of infrastructure maintenance and of rolling stock production of increased load-carrying capacity (wagons, locomotives), which in turn is connected with the benefits and economic effects of the heavy-haul and long-train operation, feasibility of further revision by the experts of track, wagon and locomotive services, as well as of the structural divisions of automatic interlocking, signalling, communications and power-supply services.

OSJD Freight Web-portal

Creation of the OSJD Freight Web-portal has been completed which development has been performed by the CTM LLC - an OSJD affili­ated enterprise.

The Freight Web-portal began its work in December 2015. It is an OSJD product providing quick-search opportunities for the necessary data throughout the OSJD documents in the field of freight transportation. The OSJD website is provided with a link for a fast access to the Freight Web-portal.

The CTM LLC together with the working staff of the OSJD Commission on Freight Traffic carried out work to update and fill in the OSJD Freight Web-portal during 2016.

The CTM LLC representative informed the final meeting participants about the creation process of the modern interactive OSJD Freight Web-portal which is an electronic program reference system and enables the functions to search the data on the basis of any detail including by the name of the railway, station, station code, cargo operations performed at stations, with a possibility to place data on the interactive map, to perform search, to determine possible railway routes between them, as well as other necessary additional information. The databases of any kind provide a possibility to search and export into various formats the OSJD regulating documents, first of all, SMGS with its annexes in a structured order, with a search capability; ETT and MTT Tariffs, PGW Rules, List of Freight Stations and other documents which are within the competency of the OSJD Commission on Freight Traffic (the list can be expanded).

The meeting participants noted with gratitude the relevance and usefulness of the work carried out by the CTM LLC to create the OSJD Freight Web-portal and other company’s software products which are of practical interest for the railway carriers and are of great demand for the purpose of their everyday application at work.

The OSJD Freight Web-portal is updated and filled in in a prompt and regular manner.

The OSJD Website has been filled in with up-to-date texts of all OSJD agreements, contracts, leaflets and other documents, including those being within the competence of the Commission, as well as provides a possibility to exchange rapidly the information by using the restricted log-in platform of the OSJD Website (https://osjd.org).

Work Results of PWG CI in 2016

The activity performance of the OSJD Permanent Working Group on Coding and Information Technology (PWG CI) for the past year was considered during the final meeting of PWG CI which took place from 22 till 24 November 2016 in the OSJD Committee with the participation of the representatives of the following railways of the OSJD member countries: BC, “KTZ NC” JSC, LG, UBZD JSC, PKP JSC, RZD JSC, ZSSK, Ukrzaliznytsia PJSC (UZ) and EVR, as well as the Associations of Transport High Schools - the OSJD affiliated enterprise and OSJD Committee.

The meeting agenda included the following issues:

• consideration of cooperation opportunities between the OSJD Permanent Working Group on Coding and IT and the Institute of Transport Technology and Control Systems within the Moscow State University for Railway Engineering named after the Emperor Nicholas II (MGUPS/MIIT);
• PWG CI Work Plan performance for 2016 and coordination of the draft Report by individual subjects:
• Coding and information technology;
• Paperless technology for the transportation of goods in the international railway traffic;
• Safety of information resources and information and telecommunication infrastructure;
• Information support for freight and passenger traffic - Technical Specifications for Interoperability (TAF TSI and TAP TSI);
• OSJD Website.

- consideration and coordination of the draft Work Plan for 2017 and draft Work Programme of PWG CI for 2018 and the years to follow, as well as other matters of the agenda.

The possibilities of cooperation with the Institute of Transport Technology and Control Systems of MIIT were discussed with the representative of the “Management and Information Security” Department of that Institute who was invited to take part in the final meeting.

In his presentation the institute representative informed about the programme and intentions of the University.

The PWG CI final meeting of took into consideration the information presented by the MGUPS/MIIT representative and invited the institute representatives to take part in the expert meeting on the subject “Safety of Information Resources and Information and Telecommunications Infrastructure”, scheduled for 2017.

Coding and information technology

Within the framework of this subject the following joint OSJD/UIC Leaflets were updated:

• O 920-1 “Uniform digital coding of railway undertakings, infrastructure managers and other companies participating in the transportation by railway”;
• O 920-6 “Uniform digital coding of additional, customs and other charges” (a decision was taken to cancel this joint Leaflet and to develop a similar OSJD Leaflet without UIC participation applying to it a status of O+R - “obligatory and recommendatory”);
• O 920-7 “Uniform digital coding for marking the payment methods” (in the progress of the Leaflet consideration it was proposed to cancel it);
• O 920-11 “Uniform digital coding of information on the defects and damages of different parts of wagons arising abroad” (due to the lack of practical application of this Leaflet in information exchange on the OSJD railway, the leading duty holder proposed to terminate its development and to cancel it);
• O 920-13 “Uniform digital coding and data structure required in the international freight traffic” (it was proposed to continue updating Leaflet O 920-13 according to the Work Plan of PWG CI for 2017).

Analysis of the Leaflets being updated which are within the PWG CI responsibility

Due to the current situation in collaboration with UIC, the PWG CI final meeting considered it expedient to update the “Regulations of the OSJD/UIC Joint Group “Coding and Information Technology”

(issued in November, 1999), having included it as an independent sub-topic into the draft PWG CI Work Plan for 2017.

Creation of the “List of carriers working on the basis of SMGS conditions” and Regulations for a prompt updating on the basis of Annex 5 to SMGS

The final meeting came to a conclusion that the work on this subject had been completed, and the publication of the “List of carriers working under SMGS conditions” was not required.

Collaboration with UIC

According to the PWG CI Work Plan for 2016 the ZSSK Cargo and the working staff of PWG CI organised the 70^th meeting of the OSJD/UIC Joint Group “Coding and Information Technology” (25 May 2016, city of Poprad, Slovak Republic).

The Joint Group meeting was attended by 18 specialists representing the interests of 14 subjects.

Apart from formal points the following issues were on the meeting agenda:

• consideration of the progress of work, the decisions taken or readiness of both parties - OSJD and UIC for updating the joint Leaflets O 920-1, O 920-6, O 920-7, O 920-11, O 920-13, O 920-15 and UIC Leaflet 428-1;
• the Joint Group agreed to except Leaflets O 920-11, O 920-15 and 428-1 from the Coordination List of the OSJD/UIC joint leaflets;
• updating of the Coordination List on joint leaflets is continued until the end of September 2016, and after it had been coordinated by the relevant bodies of OSJD and UIC the lists were published on the Websites;
• publication of joint OSJD/UIC leaflets and other documents on the Websites of OSJD and UIC and access to them - an online presentation;
• date and venue of the next 71^st meeting of the Joint Group was determined partially: 19 May 2017, organiser - UIC.

The following documents introduced in the UIC in cooperation with the OSJD have been posted and updated promptly on the OSJD Website since mid-2015:

o the List of Railway Codes of the Countries according to Leaflet O 920-14; o Codes of the railway enterprises (RICS) according to Leaflet O 920-1; o Codes of border crossing points according to Leaflet O 920-2;

o Uniform tables of distances for the international freight traffic (DIUM) - totally 25 countries of Europe.

Paperless technology for the transportation of goods in the international railway traffic

Updating of Leaflet R 942 “Technology of information support for freight traffic under SMGS conditions in case of electronic data exchange in the UN/EDIFACTstandard” During the PWG CI expert meeting (6-8 April 2016, city of Gomel) the Russian Railways JSC as a leading duty holder presented the draft updated Leaflet R 942 which was added with a new section “Information exchange to ensure preliminary information for the customs authorities about the goods imported into the country’s territory” and other completions described in the explanatory note to the draft Leaflet.

During the discussion of the Leaflet amendments the meeting participants took a decision to address the OSJD Commission on Transport Law with a request to provide explanations concerning a possibility to carry out shipments and filling out the carriage documents for a group of wagons after cargo reception, implementation of wagon uncoupling with filling out a sheet for the delivery to destination, as well as readdressing of goods at the station of origin.

The PWG CI final meeting has approved to continue updating Leaflet R 942, having included it into the draft PWG CI Work Plan for 2017.

Transformation of the reference materials “Recommendations for working with the SMGS carriage documents” posted in the independent navigation section of the OSJD Website with their corresponding reprocessing into an OSJD leaflet and updating of reference materials

The PWG CI final meeting considered the materials for the draft new leaflet provided by the Ukrzaliznytsia PJSC and took a decision to apply the provisions worked out by the Ukrzaliznytsia PJSC for preparing in 2017 the draft Leaflet PJSC “Information technology for carriers interaction in case of electronic documents application” which development has been included into the draft Work Plan for 2017.

Implementation of the projects for the information support for the international railway freight traffic by the SMGS consignment note data, CIM/SMGS consignment note data, train data, data of other documents applied in SMGS, data of accompanying documents (invoice, packing sheet)

The final meeting approved to include the information, provided by 10 railways in regard to the electronic documents, into the “Report on PWG CI activities for 2016”.

It was noted that, apart from the active railways, contribution into the development of paperless technology for the transportation of goods in the international railway service is made by the OSJD affiliated enterprises and other organisations as well.

The representative of the Euro-Asian Economic Commission informed the expert meeting participants (27-28 October 2016) about the work progress in regard to the draft Customs Code of the Euro-Asian Economic Union and about the work plans regarding the draft decisions on the preliminary information for the customs authorities when carrying the goods by rail.

The representative of the AED Rail Service LLC (Latvia), which is an OSJD affiliated enterprise, informed the expert meeting participants about the works carried out within the framework of the project “Electronic Container Transportation”, the results achieved under it and the directions of further actions.

Progress in updating OSJD leaflets O+R 943 (Library of standard electronic massages for the freight transportation in the international traffic under the SMGS conditions in UN/ EDIFACT standard) and O+R 944 (List of classifiers and codes of data elements. Library of code lists for the freight traffic under the SMGS conditions)

OSJD leaflets O+R 943 and O+R 944 were added with some segments and qualifiers for the purpose of implementing the formatting and logical control and interaction with the customs authorities in the field of preliminary information transformation about the train.

The PWG CI expert meeting participants approved the proposed version of the APERAK message specification taking into account the remarks received from the Ukrzaliznytsia PJSC.

The final meeting took notice of the information delivered be the RZD JSC being the leading duty holder on this subject about the need to continue in 2017 the work in regard to data element 7065 of Leaflet O+R 944 taking into account the remarks received from LG. It also reached concord in regard to the approved drafts of updated OSJD Leaflets O+R 943 and O+R 944.

Collaboration with CIT

Following the agreement between OSJD and CIT (International Rail Transport Committee) in 2016 within the PWG CI expert meetings (6-8 April 2016 and 27-28 October 2016) two meetings took place of the “Joint technical group for updating the Technical Specifications of the electronic CIM/SMGS consignment note”.

Security of information resources and information and telecommunications infrastructure (SIRITI)

Development and summarising the operational experience of organisational and technical solutions during the exchange of electronic transport documents by using the ES/EDS signatures when carrying goods in border­crossing traffic on the basis of dual technologies of the Confidential Third Parties (CTP), as well as other bilateral mutually agreed solutions

Experts of the following OSJD railways: BC, RZD JSC and Ukrzaliznytsia PJSC summarised the results of the two-sided freight traffic after it had been transferred onto the use of electronic carriage documents.

The expert meeting participants (27-29 September 2016) held a discussion about the condition and the prospects of further development in the information exchange collaboration between the OSJD member countries.

The BC representative provided summarised information on the operational results of the organisational and technical solutions in case of electronic transport documents exchange by using the ES/EDS signatures when carrying goods in border-crossing traffic on the basis of dual technologies of the Confidential Third Parties.

Basing on the discussion results of the provided information the main areas of work for the application of technical solutions on the basis of CTP technology were agreed. It was noted that the development in application of electronic carriage documents in the international traffic, including CTP technologies, goes in the direction of the implementation organisation of interaction multilateral patterns.

In this regard the meeting participants considered it expedient to update Leaflet R 941-3 taking into account the available practices of Russian Railways JSC, BC, LG, with consideration of the changes introduced at the PWG CI expert meeting on the SIRITI subject in 2017.

The Ukrzaliznytsia PJSC and Rail Cargo Hungaria CJSC carried out works to implement the transportation of private and leased empty wagons under the use of electronic carriage documents. Technical issues, in particular, the format of the electronic consignment note are agreed. The draft relevant agreement has been prepared and undergoes the approval procedures.

Interaction development of BC and Ukrzaliznytsia PJSC regarding application of legally significant electronic carriage documents is going on. The parties consider applying the technology of the dual Confidential Third Parties to ensure the legal importance of carriage documents.

Updating of OSJD Leaflet R 941-4 “Description of standard technical specifications of cross-border interaction of ‘open keys infrastructures’ of railways in OSJD member countries”

Representatives of the RZD JSC which is a leading duty holder leading on this subject informed the expert meeting participants (27-29 September 2016) that updating of this Leaflet due to the lack within the accounting period of the new approved schemes of cross-border interaction of information systems using the digital signature had not been carried out. The RZD JSC prepared an English-language version of this Leaflet and provided it to the meeting participants who assessed the carried-out work positively. The English-language version of the Leaflet is posted on the external portal of the OSJD Website in the section “Documents and Leaflets”.

The meeting participants recommended that updating of OSJD Leaflet R 941-4 should be continued in part of including into it new schemes of cross-border information exchange in case of their approval by the railway administrations of the OSJD member countries.

The RZD JSC expressed their readiness to update OSJD Leaflet R 941-4 taking into account practical transition in 2017 onto the transportation systems by using electronic documents for empty wagons in the transit service (RZD-LG- BC-RZD), as well as the transition of KTZ- Freight Transportation JSC onto the scheme of recognition of electronic documents with digital signature through CTP.

Works on these subjects will be continued in 2017.

Use of the scheme of recognition of legally significant electronic cross-border documents by applying the technology of the Dual Confidential Third Party during tripartite international traffic

The PWG CI expert meeting (27-29 September 2016) listened to the information about the decisions made by the meeting of the representatives of railways of Belarus, Lithuania and Russia concerning the implementation of empty private wagons transportation of by using the paperless technology in the international railway service. The involved railways developed the scheme of the information systems cross-border interaction in case of electronic documents exchange signed by the ES / EDS by using the CTP technology between the Russian Railways JSC, LG and BC (for the route Russia (Kaliningrad) - Lithuania - Belarus - Russia and in the opposite direction).

It was recommended that after the specified scheme is updated, approbated and approved, the information about it should be included into Leaflet P 941-4, as well as placed onto the “Portal of specifications bank according to the cross-border interaction schemes” developed and operated by the Russian Railways JSC.

The Byelorussian side informed about the positive results of joint operation of BC and DB Cargo Rail Polska in coordination of the scheme of recognition of the legal importance of carriage documents within the framework carried out for the development of transportation basing on the paperless technology for the transport corridor Poland - Belarus – Russia

Development of regulatory, technological and technical basis for implementing and developing of various recognition schemes for the cross-border electronic legally significant documents on the basis of the “Portal of specifications bank according to the cross-border interaction schemes”

During the PWG CI expert meeting (27-29 September 2016) the representative of the Russian Railways JSC informed about the creation and support of the English-language version of the “Portal of specifications bank according to the cross-border interaction schemes”. The Portal is posted with the following address: http://bos. pkitrans.ru/Home/SetCulture?culture=en/

This Portal was practically used when adjusting the procedures of mutual recognition of electronic documents with the ES/EDS between the CTPs of the Russian Railways JSC and the “KTZ NC” JSC.

In view of the lack of the new approved schemes of the cross-border interaction by using the ES/EDS signatures, the Portal had not been added with corresponding schemes and organisational technical documentation for the accounting period. It is planned to post onto the Portal the recognition scheme for the crossborder legally significant electronic documents by using the technology of the Dual Confidential Third Party during tripartite international traffic between the RZD JSC, LG and BC after its coordination and approval. BC provided information about the functionality testing of the specifications bank Portal. In general, the conclusions made by the testing results show that the Portal has accomplished its declared functions.

The expert meeting participants addressed the RZD JSC with a request to continue operation and support of the Specifications Bank Portal in part of the schemes of cross-border interaction, organisational and technical documenta­tion, as well as to provide support of the English version.

Monitoring and analysis of the projects in the field of crossborder interaction of the Open Keys Infrastructures which are implemented in the European Union and the Asian-Pacific countries (including the analysis

of changes in the regulatory basis of the Russian Federation and EAEU)

The Russian Railways JSC as a leading duty holder has submitted a monitoring report of the projects in the field of cross-border interaction of Open Keys Infrastructures which are implemented in the European Union and Asian-Pacific countries, having focused attention of the PWG CI experts on the increase of the projects number in the sphere of electronic trade with the use of the ES/EDS signatures, including in the Asian- Pacific countries. There have appeared new regulating documents of the Euroasian Economic Commission (EEC) and the ETSI standards in the field of ES/EDS signatures which could find application in the activities of railway administrations of the OSJD member countries regarding the use of legally significant cross-border electronic document flow and creation of cross-border space of trust.

In particular, the Recommendation of the ECE Collegium as of 3 February 2015 No. 2 “About the list of standards and recommendations in the field of the information and telecommunications technologies and information security applied during the creation, operation and development of the integrated information system of foreign and mutual trade” contain standards recommended for the use in hardware and software systems of the Confidential Third Party.

The following sections from the “Regulations for the electronic documents exchange in case of cross-border interaction” approved by the decision of the ECE Collegium as of 28 September 2015 No. 125 can be used in the regulatory and organisational technical documents providing legally significant cross-border electronic document flow of the railways of OSJD member countries:

• Procedures for the solution of emergency situations arising from the electronic document exchange.
• Requirements for forming and processing procedures for handling the CTP receipts.
• Format of messages used in the interaction with CTP.
• The list of the logical trans­actions and events arising from handling the electronic messages and electronic documents by the Confidential Third Party and reflected in the auditing register.

The PWG CI expert meeting has recommended that the OSJD members - participants of cross-border information exchange should carry out the analysis of the specified ECE Collegium document for the purpose of taking into account its provisions in the existing and developed regulatory principles of cross-border information exchange.

The PWG CI expert meeting has approved the activities carried out by the Russian Railways JSC and addressed the leading railway with a request to continue the monitoring and analysis of the projects in the field of cross-border interaction which are implemented in the European Union and the Asian-Pacific countries as well as to prepare recommendations regarding the feasibility of the new regulating documents and standards being into account on the Specifica­tions Bank Portal in regard to the schemes of cross-border interaction.

Information support for freight and passenger traffic. Technical Specifications for Interoperability (TAF TSI and TAP TSI)

Preparation and conduct of the Seminar on the implementation of technical specifications for interoperability in freight and passenger international railway traffic (TAF TSI and TAP TSI)

On 24 May 2016 the city of Poprad (Slovak Republic) hosted a joint OSJD/UIC workshop on the following subject “Information support for freight and passenger traffic. Technical specifications for interoperability (TAF TSI and TAP TSI)” which was attended by 28 experts from 20 entities.

The workshop participants listened to 14 reports and discussed 15 issues with the contributors, having considered it expedient to organise a similar joint workshop on the subject “TAP TSI and TAF TSI” in 2017.

The workshop documents have been sent to all the OSJD railways and placed on the internal portal of the OSJD Website.

Further improvement of OSJD Website

The PWG CI final meeting took into consideration the information concerning progress of the OSJD Website development and decided to continue this work in 2017 for the purpose of further improvement of the OSJD Website, having approved the structure and the contents of the draft Report “Activity performance of the PWG CI OSJD for 2016” with its posting onto restricted (logged) section of the OSJD Website after its completion for a possible updating of the information regarding electronic data exchange.

Due to the received request from the HITRAIL IT-company for updating joint OSJD/UIC Leaflet O 917-5 “HERMES System” the final meeting discussed and decided to include the work on updating this Leaflet into the draft PWG CI Work Plan for 2017. ■

Improving and Updating the International Railway Transit Tariff

In accordance with the current provisions of the SMGS, the calculation of carriage charges for the transport of goods along the transit railways is performed by means of transit tariffs applied by railways. International Railway Transit Tariff (MTT) is one of such tariffs at the present time. Ms. Zubaida ASPAYEVA, Chairperson of the OSJD Commission on Freight Traffic narrates in her article about the progress of work within the OSJD with regard to the improvement of the Agreement on MTT and updates of the MTT Tariff.

The MTT Tariff is an integral part of the Agreement on international railway transit tariff. At present the Parties to the Agreement on MTT are as follows:

• Closed Joint Stock Company "Azerbaijani Railways" (AZ),
• Belarus Railway (BC),
• Joint Stock Company "Georgian Railway" (GR),
• Joint Stock Company "Kazakhstan Temir Zholy National Company" (KZH),
• State Enterprise "Kyrgyz Temir Zholy" National Company (KRG),
• State Joint Stock Company "Latvian Railway" (LDZ),
• Joint Stock Company "Lithuanian Railways" (LG),
• State Enterprise "Railway of Moldova" (CFM),
• Joint Stock Company "Ulan-Bator Railway" (UBZD),
• Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation,
• State Unitary Enterprise "Tajik Railway" (TDZ),
• Joint Stock Company "Uzbek Railways" (UTI),
• Public Joint Stock Company "Ukrainian Railway" (UZ),
• Joint Stock Company "Czech Railways" (CD Cargo),
• Joint Stock Company "Estonian Railway" (EVR).

Based on the MTT Tariff, the railways of the OSJD Member States are Parties to the Agreement on MTT and they mould the tariff policy of their railways with regard to transportation of goods in international traffic.

Within the OSJD and within the framework of the OSJD Commission on Freight Traffic, ongoing purposeful activities are carried out on the improvement of the Agreement on MTT and updating of the MTT Tariff. It is these issues that were the subject of consideration at the XXVII Meeting of representatives from the Parties to the Agreement on international railway transit tariff (MTT) that took place in the city of Karlovy Vary (Czech Republic) from the 28^th of June till the 1^st of July 2016.

The meeting was attended by representatives from the Parties to the Agreement on MTT as follows: AZ, BC, GR, KZH, KRG, LDZ, LG, CFM, UBZD, Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation, TDZ, UTI, UZ, CD Cargo and EVR as well as representatives from "CTM" LLC which is an Affiliated enterprise of the OSJD and OSJD Committee.

Mr. Michal Roh, Adviser to the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Joint Stock Company "Czech Railways" (CD Cargo), addressed the meeting participants with a welcome speech stressing the relevance of activities carried out with regard to the improvement of the Agreement on MTT and updating of the MTT Tariff for the purpose of providing higher competitiveness of transportation of goods by transit railway transport in traffic of Europe - Asia - Europe and informed the meeting participants on activities of the JSC "CD Cargo" as well as promising aspects of the development of the company and international railway transportation.

In accordance with the agenda adopted for the meeting, the participants considered proposals made by the Parties to the Agreement on MTT with regard to the improvement of the Agreement on MTT and updating of the MTT Tariff (making alterations and supplements), including a number of other issues.

It was pointed out that following the results of work of the preceding meeting (from 30^th of June till the 3d of July 2015, city of Yurmala, Republic of Latvia), the OSJD Committee as the Administration of the MTT Tariff declared the entry into force of the agreed alterations and supplements in the Agreement on MTT and MTT Tariff from the 1^st of September 2015. The OSJD Committee published the updated texts of the Agreement on MTT and MTT Tariff as of the 1^st of January 2016 making them available on the OSJD Web-site.

In accordance with the proposal submitted by the UTI, the Parties to the Agreement on MTT adopted the agreed alteration in the Agreement on MTT with regard to the change of the name of the railway administration. This alteration in the Agreement on MTT entered into force from the 25^th of July 2016.

In accordance with the provisions of the Agreement on MTT and based on the official notifications of the KZH and UZ, certain alterations were made in the Table of transit distances of railways of Kazakhstan and Ukraine in the MTT Tariff with their entering into force at the established time. The OSJD Committee, as the Administration of the MTT Tariff, has declared these alterations.

The meeting participants that are Parties to the Agreement on MTT considered the proposals on updating the MTT Tariff and adopted the agreed alterations and supplements in the MTT Tariff as follows:

- In paragraph 24 "Charges for the carriage of train attendants" of Section II "Special Tariff Rules" of Part II of the MTT Tariff;

- In paragraph 28 "Charges for the carriage with a reduced time of delivery" of Section II "Special Tariff Rules" of Part II of the MTT Tariff;

- In paragraph 29 "Charges for the carriage of goods in containers and carriage of empty containers" of Part III "Calculation of carriage charges for transportation of goods in containers and carriage of empty containers" of the MTT Tariff;

- In the lists of contents of Section I of Part V of the MTT Tariff.

The following supplements and alterations were as well entered:

- In paragraph 2 "Remarks to the Table of transit distances" of Chapter I of Part V of the MTT Tariff;

- Remarks were added to border crossing points in the Tables of transit distances of the railways of Ukraine;

- Alterations were made in tariff rates for the carriage of multi-purpose high-capacity containers that are larger than FEU containers;

- Alterations were entered in Section III "Additional charges and other charges" of Part V of the MTT Tariff:

• In paragraph 5 "Charges relating to the customs control of transported goods";
• In paragraph 8 "Charges relating to the delay of a wagon or a container on the transit railway".

These alterations made in the MTT Tariff will enter into force from the 25^th of July 2016 and 15^th August 2016, respectively.

The meeting participants considered the proposals made by KZH and Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation with regard to the extension of the scope of application of International railway transit tariff (MTT) for the transit transportation of goods implemented by means of different modes of transport from the stations of reconsignment not indicated in the Tables of transit distances, having stressed the relevance of the issue under discussion.

The purpose of those proposals is to provide the achievement of a sound and justified level of tariff burden for different logistics schemes for organising the transportation of goods by transit via territories of the States that are Parties to the Agreement on MTT.

In the course of discussion, it was suggested that a supplement should be made in paragraph 1 of Section I "Scope of Application of the Tariff' of Part I of the MTT Tariff in the wording that was drafted by the meeting participants.

It was also pointed out that it was necessary to make alterations as well in other contracts and agreements that are in effect within the framework of the OSJD in order to provide a justified calculation of carriage charges for transit transportation of goods. In the first instance, it is required to make alterations and supplements in the SMGS with regard to as follows:

- Determination of the definition of "Transit Carriage";

- An obligation to register the subsequent reconsignment of goods by another mode of transport in the SMGS consignment note.

In the course of discussion, it was also pointed out that it was necessary to additionally agree the issue in conjunction with customs and taxation authorities.

The meeting participants agreed to include into the draft Work Plan of the OSJD Commission on Freight Traffic for 2017 the activities to be carried out on further improvement of the Agreement on MTT and updating the MTT Tariff.

The head of delegation of the Lithuanian Railways (LG) informed that the regular meeting of the representatives of the Parties to the Agreement on MTT would be organised in the Republic of Lithuania in June 2017.

The meeting participants took note of the piece of information concerning the notification of the JSC "Kazakhstan Temir Zholy National Company" with regard to the fact that tariff rates for additional charges calculated in accordance with the MTT and ETT Tariffs should within the KZH be established from the 1^st of January to the 31^st of December 2016.

The representative from LLC "CTM", an Affiliated Enterprise of the OSJD delivered to the meeting participants a piece of information concerning the creation of an interactive freight Web-portal of the OSJD, which is an electronic software system with reference information services and which makes it possible to search for data by means of any attribute, including the name of railway, code of station, freight operations handled at the stations with arrangement on the interactive map and with searching for and determination of possible railway routes between them as well as with required additional information; databases with a variety of search­ing and exporting tools that transform into different formats; regulatory documents of OSJD, first of all, SMGS Agreement with its Annexes in a structured form with a searching tool; ETT, MTT, PGW and other documents managed by the OSJD Commission on Freight Traffic (the list can be extended).

The Web-link to the freight Web-portal is made available on the OSJD Web-site. The meeting participants gratefully noted the relevance and usefulness of work carried out by the "CTM" LLC on the creation of OSJD freight Web-portal, as well as the fact that software products developed by the "CTM" company are of practical interest to railway companies and of great demand for the purposes of using them constantly at work.

The meeting participants considered necessary to obtain and gathher up-to-date information on the subject of "Improvement of the Agreement on MTT and updating of the MTT Tariff' that would contain historic reference information concerning the management of the Agreement on MTT, papers on the main aspects of application of the given tariff, issues of Harmonisation of the MTT and ETT as well as the relevance of making alterations with regard to modern conditions of operation of railway transport and structural reforms taking place on the railways of the OSJD member states.

The meeting participants noted the high level of organisation of the meeting that was hosted by the JSC "Czech Railways" (CD Cargo) that managed to set to it a specific jubilee tone on the occasion of the 60^th Anniversary of the Organisation for Cooperation between Railways.

Expert meeting on the subject "Signalling, interlocking and communications networks" in Paris

According to the Plan of Work of the OSJD Commission on Infrastructure and Rolling Stock for 2016 and by the invitation of Marc Antoni, UIC Director of the UIC Rail System Department, an expert meeting was held from 22 till 24 June 2016 in the UIC headquarters (France, Paris) during which the subject of "Signalling, interlocking and communications networks" was considered. It was attended by the representatives of OSJD railways from the following countries: Azerbaijan (AZD CJSC), Belarus (BC), Kazakhstan (KTZ NC JSC), Lithuania (LG), Poland (PKP), Russia (RZD JSC), OSJD affiliated enterprise - Association of Transport High Schools, as well as UIC and OSJD Committee.

The meeting agenda included the discussion of the progress of work in the development of a number of draft leaflets, as well as coordination of the draft Plan of Work of the experts for 2017 in the subject "Signalling, interlocking and com­munications networks".

The draft Leaflet R 818 "Operational and technical requirements for automated train movement control systems at stations (EI, MPEI, RPI)* taking into account the requirements for the interlocking, information compatibility, information display on monitors, building of internal and external interfaces, power supply devices, controlled and diagnosed parameters".

This Leaflet covers the train movement control systems, in particular the hardware and hardware-software complexes of relay, relay-processing and micro-processing control systems (interlocking of switches and signals) at railway stations developed and/or delivered for application in railway transport of the OSJD member countries.

After detailed consideration and discussion of the draft Leaflet, as well as the notes and proposals introduced in regard to it from BC, KZH and LG, the expert meeting agreed on edition I of the draft Leaflet R 818 as recommendatory and proposed to approve this Leaflet at the meeting of the OSJD Commission on Infrastructure and Rolling Stock in October 2016.

This Leaflet was developed on the basis of actual OSJD Leaflets: R 803 "Recommendation as to the designing of signalling and interlocking station devices" (II edition as of 30.10.2003); R 844 "Operational and technical requirements for micro-processing and relay-processing systems of interlocking" (I edition as of 05.11.2004); R 859 "Basic application principles of intrasystem and external interfaces in micro-processing systems of railway automatic equipment and telemechanics" (I edition as of 26.10.2007); R 808 "Conventional symbols on display units for the signalling and interlocking computer systems" (II edition as of 23.10.2009) and R 845 "Recommendations in regard to the progressive maintenance technology for the electrical interlocking equipment" (II edition as of 09.11.2006) which were proposed to be cancelled in accordance with the established procedure. The draft Leaflet R 817 "Operational and technical requirements for train movement interval control systems at station-to-station runs (automatic and semiautomatic locking, radio locking, locomotive signaling) with the centralised and decentralised location of equipment and application of rail circuits, axle counters and other elements".

The experts came to a conclusion to shorten the title of this Leaflet which is as follows in the new edition: "Operational and technical requirements for train movement interval control systems at station-to-station runs (automatic and semi-automatic locking, radio locking, locomotive signaling).

This Leaflet covers all types of the devices of train movement interval control systems being in operation on the OSJD member railways. The main operational and technical requirements for the equipment outlined in the Leaflet shall be applied in case of upgrading the existing systems, as well as when developing new systems. The signalling and interlocking systems existing now are mentioned in the Leaflet, however in case of producing new ones the preference shall be given to relay-processing and micro-processing systems.

The expert meeting has coordinated and proposed for the approval the I-st edition of Leaflet R 817 of recommendatory nature, as well as proposed to cancel the following Leaflets: R 847/1 "Recommendations in regard to the progressive technology of interlocking equipment maintenance" (II-nd edition as of 10.11.2005) and P 847/2 of "Recommendations in regard to the progressive technology of semiautomatic inter­locking equipment maintenance" (II-nd edition as of 09.11.2006).

Draft Leaflet R 878 "Means of signalling, interlocking and communications at border stations. Requirements as for equipment, operation and maintenance".

Experts came to a conclusion to change the tittle of this Leaflet, having reworded it as follows: "Means of signalling, interlocking and communications at border stations and sections in between. Requirements as for equipment, operation and maintenance".

The Leaflet contains requirements as for the signalling, interlocking and communications networks being in operation at the border stations and sections in between on the railways of the OSJD member countries.

After a thorough consideration of proposals and remarks the I-st edition of the draft Leaflet was agreed and proposed for the approval as a recommendatory one.

Marc Antoni, UIC Director of the UIC Rail System Department, made a presentation on the "Use of rail chains on the SNCF networks", which caused considerable interest among the meeting participants as SNCF (OSJD observer) possesses considerable experience in the use of one of best practices in the field of rail chains. Meeting has also addressed the OSJD affiliated enterprise - Association of Transport High Schools to share experience in best practices in the field of the subject "Signalling, in interlocking and communications networks" at the next meeting.

On 23 June a technical visit was organised for the meeting participants to the "Training Center of Specialists for SNCF Infra in the field of control, administration, signalling and telecommunications subsystems (Centre Formation Infra SNCF Moulin Neuf) at Chambly station.

Rolling Stock Gauges in International Traffic in View of Interoperability

The expert meeting of the OSJD Commission on Infrastructure and Rolling Stock on this subject took place at the OSJD Committee from 28 till 30 June 2016 with the participation of representatives from the following OSJD railways: State Enterprise "National Company "Railway Infrastructure" (NC "ZI", Republic of Bulgaria), CJSC "Hungarian State Railways" (CJSC "MAV"), JSC "Kazakhstan Temir Zoly" National Company" (KZH), State Enterprise "Railway of Moldova" (CFM), JSC "Polish State Railways" (PKP), JSC "Russian Railways" (RZD JSC), Railways of Slovak Republic (ZSR), PJSC "Ukrainian Railway" (UZ), as well as OSJD Committee.

The experts considered the following items of the agenda:

- final redaction of draft Leaflet R 500/2 "Methodological guidelines for the application of static and kinematic gauges of rolling stock";

- progress in practical application of Leaflet R 500/1 "Development of Album 1 in regard to the negotiability of gauges for the main railway routes";

- approval of the draft Work Plan on the subject "Rolling stock gauges in international rail traffic in view of interoperability" for 2017 and other.

The expert meeting considered and agreed upon the final edition of draft Leaflet R 502/2 "Methodological guidelines for the application of static and kinematic gauges of rolling stock" presented by the leading duty holder - RZD JSC, which contains guidelines as to the application of rolling stock gauges operating in international traffic on the railways of 1435-mm and 1520-mm rail systems.

The experts considered the remarks made by ZSR, having included them into the new edition of Leaflet R 500/2 and suggested that the draft final edition of the Leaflet should be submitted for the consideration and approval by the annual meeting of the OSJD Commission on Infrastructure and Rolling Stock (18-21 October 2016, OSJD Committee).

The meeting participants approved the materials on the practical application of Leaflet R 500/1 "Development of Album 1 in regard to the negotiability of gauges for the main railway routes" that was delivered by the leading duty holder -ZSR, and took a decision to consider the sum-merised information at the next regular meeting.

The meeting participants discussed the information provided by the MAV CJSC and agreed to include into the draft Work Plan of the OSJD Commission on Infrastructure and Rolling Stock for 2017 the development of draft new Leaflet "Determination of clearing conditions for wagons manufactured according to the 1-BM rolling stock gauge on the tracks of 1435-mm gauge with the available perrons of over 300 mm high that do not meet the requirements of 1-CM minimum track-side gauges". The PKP JSC representatives put forward a proposal that was agreed upon by the meeting participants, stating that it was necessary to develop further draft leaflets which would take into account the clearing conditions for freight wagons of 0-ВМ and 1-ВМ gauges in order to enable their free passage through the infrastructure objects.

The meeting participants were informed that the materials would be made available on the OSJD Web-site https://osjd.org on the closed portal of the OSJD Commission on Infrastructure and Rolling Stock, The section "Ready Documents" («Готовые документы»), entry by link "files", document search Identifier ID-1050. The experts carried out a practical training, during which new users were registered.

Transport Policy and Development Strategy of Railways at the turn

of the 60^th Anniversary of OSJD

On the eve of the 60^h anniversary of the Organization for Co-Operation between Railways, the OSJD Commission on Transport Policy and Development Strategy carried out its work to form the railway transport policy by means of development and implementation of the compre­hensive measures aimed at the improvement of b transportation and development of the OSJD transport corridors, facilitation of border crossing for international railway passenger and freight traffic as well as higher competitiveness of railways to attract additional volumes of international transit traffic and increase the share of railway traffic in the transport market.

Development and implementation of the comprehensive measures on the improvement of traffic and development of OSJD railway transport corridors

Last year experts from OSJD member states worked to update the "Comprehensive plans on the improvement of transportation and development of OSJD railway transport corridors No. 9, 12 and 13 till 2020", which were approved at the annual meeting of the Commission.

Development of the plan of measures on the implementation of provisions of Memorandums for Cooperation in the field of technical, operational and commercial development of OSJD railway transport corridors No.1-13 was underway.

On 4 March 2015, the Russian Federation (city of Moscow) hosted the first meeting on the implementation of provisions of the Memorandum between the countries being members of OSJD railway transport corridor No. 1 At the meeting, special attention was paid to the matters related to the establishment of Coordination Body (hereinafter, CB). Consideration of advisability issue to establish such a body, its form, functions and financing mechanisms was underway during the OSJD/CCTT round table in Vienna on 10 November 2015 and in the course of the consultative meeting in Moscow on 15 March 2016.

Within the framework of the expert meeting (7-10 April, Republic of Moldova, Chisinau), a meeting took place between the countries that are members of OSJD railway transport corridors No. 12 and 13 on the implementation of Memoranda's provisions. At the meetings, special attention was also paid to the CB establishment. It was suggested that the Coordination Body should focus on the analysis of parameters of railway infrastructure for border crossing and preparation of a general plan for the development and improvement of infrastructure. Whereby, based on the analysis of main components of the "Comprehensive plan for the development of corridors", it is necessary to provide the balanced development of joint sections of corridors.

A two-stage approach to the process of CB establishment was proposed At the first stage, it is envisaged to establish, for each corridor, three expert commissions composed of the representatives from the railway companies of the countries, being members of the corridor, on passenger and freight traffic as well as infrastructure. Upon the completion of work of the expert groups that will study the conditions and prospects of passenger and freight flows as well as the needs for infrastructure improvement, proposals on the development of the said corridor will be drafted. Whenever possible, this work must be carried out with the participation of financial institutions concerned and other participants in the market. Upon agreement on the proposals, at the second stage, it is necessary to make the decision on advisability of the CB creation. This proposal was suggested for consideration with the purpose of possible use of the specified approach to all OSJD corridors.

For higher efficiency of OSJD corridors, the experts studied the new lines to be possibly connected to the OSJD railway transport corridors, in particular:

- upon proposal of the Republic of Moldova, the countries being members of OSJD corridor No. 12 and Ukraine have agreed to extend OSJD railway corridor No. 12 on territory of the Republic of Moldova from the Ocnita station to the Vălcineţ station and further on the territory of Ukraine to the Zhmerinka station provided that the existing carrying capacity on territory of Ukraine is preserved at this stage.

Respective alterations on OSJD corridor No. 12 were approved at the annual meeting of OSJD Commission on the transport policy and development strategy (6-9 October 2015, OSJD Committee).

Moreover, the countries that are members of corridors No. 2, 5, 8 and 10 have agreed with the proposal of the Republic of Kazakhstan on the connection of lines as follows:

- Iletsk - Kandyagash - Nikeltau - Tobol, as a branch of OSJD railway transport corridor No. 2;

- Zhetygen - Altynkol as a branch of OSJD railway transport corridor No. 5;

- Beineu - Uzen - Bolashak of OSJD corridor No. 8;

- Dostyk - Mointy - Zhezkazgan - Saksaulskaya - Beineu - Aktau-Port of OSJD corridor No. 10.

Therefore, it was decided to update the Comprehensive plans for the transportation improvement and development of OSJD railway transport corridors No. 2, 5, 8, 10 and 12 till 2020 as well as technical-operational certificates of these corridors with making respective alterations in the "'Memoranda on Cooperation in the field of technical, operational and commercial development of OSJD railway transport corridors" in regard to the specified corridors.

The Ukrainian party provided information that their initiative on the connection of the ports of Odessa, Iljichovsk (Ukraine) through the ter­ritory of Belarus with Klaipeda port Lithuania; was supported by the Belarus Railway and Lithuanian Railways JSC, in respect of which it put forward a proposal to extend the OSJD railway transport corridor No.9.

Last year the monitoring was carried out for technical-operational certificates of OSJD railway transport corridors No. 1-4. The updated technical-operational certificates of corridors No. 1-4 were approved at the annual meeting of OSJD Commission on Transport Policy and Development Strategy.

In execution of the decision of the OSJD Ministers Conference, the second joint seminar took place on 18-19 June 2015 in Brussels to consider interaction of OSJD railway transport corridors and EU Rail Freight Corridors. During the seminar in which representatives from OSJD Member States, EU rail freight corridors, OSJD Committee, DG MOVE and international organizations concerned participated, quite a number of agreements were reached on the continuation of cooperation between OSJD and DG MOVE regarding the development of OSJD corridors and EU rail freight corridors as well as exchange of experience for higher competitiveness of rail transport. In addition to it, a round table was held at the VIII International Inter-Agency meeting in Gdansk to consider the interaction of OSJD railway corridors and EU rail freight corridor No.8.

Development of measures aimed at facilitation of border crossing for international railway traffic in the Eurasian area

Consideration of the presented analytical data regarding to the border crossing points summarized by every railway administration basically reflect the execution of the established specifications of the technological process of handling freight and passenger trains at border crossing points in view of specifications of each point and specific features of conducting the customs and border control formalities and other types of state control during the movement of passengers and goods across border.

In the past year, measures continued to be taken on practical implementation of Annex 9 to International Convention on the Harmonization of Frontier Controls of Goods of 1982 (Annex 9).

Progress of implementation of Annex 9 was also considered at the VIII International Inter-Agency meeting of OSJD member states "Best practices in facilitating border crossing procedures by rail" that took place in Gdansk (Republic of Poland) on 22-23 September 2015, with the invitation of the representatives from ministries of transport, border-guard and customs authorities, railway administrations and other bodies concerned, as well as with the participation of international organisations.

The meeting participants agreed to exchange the best practices concerning facilitation of border crossing procedures in international rail traffic as well as to deepen cooperation with other international organisations in the given sphere and to promote implementation of the existing agreements, contracts, conventions and recommendations of the UN ECE, UN ESCAP, OSJD, OTIF and CIT in the field of facilitation of procedures for crossing borders by rail transport.

The meeting participants called to pay much more attention at the governmental level of all OSJD member states to the support of railway transport, in particular passenger traffic. To this end, Declaration was adopted to address the governmental bodies of OSJD member states.

It was noted that in international railway traffic, it is necessary to implement and apply more actively high technologies in the field of control (inspection-examination scanner systems) and promote the creation of uniform information space of transport systems of OSJD member states, including the customs and border control structures by means of incorporation of communication networks of telecommunications companies of these countries in order to allocate along the international transport corridors necessary information and telecommunications resources to speed up movements across borders and reduce and optimize the time for conducting inspection procedures.

At the meeting, the participants also considered issues of movement of passengers and goods across borders. In particular, it was noted that in some OSJD member states, the basic obstacle to the of cross-border piggyback traffic is the lack of provisions in national law regulating the movement of cross-border piggyback trains, including transit traffic, with infrastructure being not adapted.

On 27-28 April 2015, the meeting of Informal group of experts took place at OSJD Committee under the aegis of UNECE to draft the "Convention on facilitation of conditions for the carriage of passengers, luggage and luggage in international railway traffic", at which draft Convention was presented on the facilitation of conditions for the carriage of passengers, luggage and goods-luggage in international railway traffic. The Convention must be a frame convention without going into details but it must create conditions for full-fledged bilateral and multilateral cooperation.

Development of issues of OSJD railway transport policy

Work was going on concerning railway transport policy, the strategic task of which is the coordinated development of OSJD railway system and higher competitiveness of railways to attract additional volumes of international transit traffic.

Within the framework of the OSJD/ERA Contact Group on the interaction of 1520-mm and 1435-mm railway systems, the long-term OSJD/ERA Memorandum of Understanding for 2015-2019 was developed and approved.

In execution of the provisions of the Memorandum, the OSJD/ERA Contact group held four meetings at which the following themes were considered and the analysis of parameters for preservation of technical and operational compatibility in various fields of railway transport.

The results of the analysis conducted on technical parameters were used by ERA in the revision of EU TSI for the inclusion of parameters of 1520/1524-mm rail system, which were reflected in the current TSI of the EU.

To improve the existing technical and operational compatibility on the CIS - EU border, draft "Glossary of terms that are relevant for interoperability in CIS - EU cross-border traffic" was developed.

Statistics issues of railway transport

The meeting participants considered the combined information material "Basic statistical data on railway transport for 2014", based on the primary data presented by the countries.

The combined statistical data for 2014 were agreed and published in 2015 in the "Bulletin of OSJD Statistical Data on Railway Transport for 2014".

It was noted that in 2014 in comparison with 2013, the operational length of railway lines increased as a whole by 407 km and amounted to 281216 km, and the total length of electrified lines increased by 878 km and made 126298 km. In 2014, the volume of freight traffic decreased to the level of the year by 4.69% and made 5473 million tons, the turnover of goods decreased by 1.44% and mounted to 5276 billion ton-km. In

2014, 3915 million passengers were carried that is by 0.01% less than it was in 2013, the passenger turnover decreased by 0.45% and made 1192 billion passenger-km.

Creation of OSJD International Distributed Databank of Scientific, Technical and Economic Information regarding transport (OSJD ADB STEI) on the basis of modern information technologies

In 2015 the STEI centers of OSJD member states continued to carry out formation and development of national databases on scientific, technical and economic information, which make, in the aggregate, the International Distributed Databank - OSJD ADB.

As of 30 December 2014, according to STEI centers, the general information resource of the international distributed databank of scientific and technical information includes 2005539 documents. The annual augmenter of the international distributed databank for 2014 included 68539 documents. In the course of 2014:

- the total number of references to OSJD ADB was equal to 528167 (+18% as compared to 2013);

- the total number of documents released from OSJD ADB (the number of documents found in the DB by inquiries of users) in 2014 was 3908361 (+3% as compared to 2013). Thus, the analysis of use of OSJD ADB shows as a whole the growth of parameters of acquisition and use of national databanks.

Whereby, considering the growth of the parameter "Number of references made in the OSJD ADB", it is necessary to note an increase in information needs of railways experts and, accordingly, an intensification of work of STEI centers and higher value of information activities.

OSJD Member States showed their keen interest in making available information on STEI units on the Website.

Participants in the annual meeting of the Commission considered and approved the implementation of proposals submitted during the expert meeting on technical and software information issues of OSJD scientific, technical and economic information (16-18 September 2014), including as follows:

- Creation of references for the Websites of the railway companies on the generic page to simplify the access to information;

- Making available the trademarks of railway companies before the name of the STEI Center to simplify the identification and speed up the information search.

The meeting participants decided to update the information of STEI Centers in Russian and English.

The Commission meeting participants noted that there was a necessity for the revision of OSJD Leaflet O+R 905-4 because the website status of the STEI Centers of OSJD member states had been changed.

The electronic version of the 12^th edition of the Address Directory is made available on the OSJD Website in the "Documents and develop­ments" section in the format that is accessible to upload and subsequently copy independently.

Meeting of representatives of railways and foreign trade organisations of Vietnam, Kazakhstan, China, DPRK, Mongolia and Russia on coordination of railway transportation volumes of export, import and transit goods for 2016 and actions to be taken to ensure those volumes

During the period from 29 February till 4 March 2016 the city of Sochi (Russian Federation) hosted a meeting of the representatives of railways and foreign trade organisations of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Republic of Kazakhstan, Chinese People's Republic, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Mongolia and Russian Federation on coordination of railway transportation volumes of export, import and transit goods for 2016 and actions to be taken to ensure those volumes. The delegates of railways and the representatives of foreign trade organisations of the following countries have taken part in the meeting: Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Republic of Kazakhstan, Chinese People's Republic, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Mongolia, Russian Federation, as well as the OSJD Committee.

Welcoming the meeting participants, Alexey Chernayev, First Deputy Head of the North-Caucasus Railway noted the importance of the issues resolved within the framework of the meeting for further increase in goods transportation volumes by rail between the participating countries.

Chairman of the meeting and Specialist of the OSJD Commission on Freight Traffic congratulated all the participants on the occasion of the 60^th anniversary of the Organization for Cooperation between Railways and informed about the main stages in the OSJD's history and the tasks being tackled by the Organisation at present.

The following issues were on the meeting's agenda:

- summing up of the performance of the foreign trade goods' transportation volumes for 2015;

- coordination of transportation volumes of export, import and transit goods for 2016 and distribution by quarters and types of goods by each border-crossing point;

- development of technical and organisational actions for the performance of agreed goods transportation volumes for 2016;

- coordination of date and venue of the next meeting to be held in 2017 and some other matters.

12 subgroups were set up to consider the meeting agenda items.

Delegations of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Republic of Kazakhstan, Chinese People's Republic of China, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Mongolia and Russian Federation have mutually informed each other about the performance of transportation volumes of the foreign trade goods in the traffic between the countries and agreed on the organisational and technical actions to ensure them.

The parties gave predictions and estimates regarding the agreed transportation volumes for the export, import and transit goods between various groups of countries.

The parties have reached concord in regard to the transportation volumes of export, import and transit goods for 2016 with their by quarters, border-crossing points and by the types of goods.

In order to identity the terminology of the goods' titles when coordinating the monthly transportation plans the parties have agreed on the nomenclature of export, import and transit goods and have gained concord that when signing contracts for the delivery of goods exceeding the transportation volumes coordinated for 2016, the possibility of implementing these transportation volumes will be considered and solved by the railways at coordination of monthly operating plans taking into account the capacity of border crossing points and border stations.

The parties have coordinated organisational and technical measures to be taken to ensure the agreed transportation volumes of export, import and transit goods for 2016.

A proposal of Kazakhstan's party to hold the next meeting on this subject in the Republic of Kazakhstan was accepted with gratitude by the meeting participants.

During the meeting the parties exchanged the addresses, remarks and proposals aimed at increasing the transportation volumes of goods in the international traffic and improving the work quality at the border transition points and commercial works for the implementation of the plan for the goods' transportation volumes which will further better the work of all participating railways and increase their efficiency.

Annual Meeting of OSJD Permanent Working Group on Coding and Information Technology (PWGCI)

The PWGCI annual meeting for 2015, held in Warsaw (Poland) on 17-19 November 2015, was attended by the representatives from OSJD Railways as follows: BC, MAV CJSC, LG JSC, PKP JSC, RZD JSC, ZSSK, ZSR, UZ and EVR; OSJD affiliated enterprise - Rail Cargo Hungaria CJSC, as well as OSJD Committee.

Secretary of OSJD Committee Kiss Attila addressed the meeting participants with a welcoming speech. He underlined the great significance of the PWGCI activities towards promotion of higher competitiveness and efficiency of railway transport.

The meeting participants were also addressed by the Chairman of OSJD Commission on Transport Law Mykola Nosenko who informed about the proposal of OSJD Commission on Transport Law to establish an ad hoc working group to develop electronic documents applied for services implemented under the SMGS. He stressed that the implementation of paperless technology for freight traffic (paperless document circulation) on UZ and other railways in 2011 had increased their efficiency and, as a consequence, their ability to compete with other modes of transport.

The meeting adopted the agenda as follows:

- Outputs by the Work Plan of the OSJD PWGCI for 2015 and coordination of the draft Report on the "Working Results of the OSJD PWGCI for 2015" on individual topics as follows:

• Coding and information technology,
• Paperless technology for international freight railway traffic,
• Security of information resources and information and telecommunication infrastructure,
• Information support for freight and passenger traffic - Technical Specifications for Interoperability (TAP TSI and TAF TSI),
• OSJD Website;

- Consideration and coordination of draft decision for meeting XXXI of the Con­ference of General Directors (CGD), Work plan of OSJD PWGCI for 2016, draft Work Programme of OSJD PWGCI for 2017 and the years to come. The annual meeting of the PWGCI agreed as follows:

- to include the work on updating Leaflet O 920-6 "Standard numerical coding of additional charges, customs duties and other charges" in the Work Plan of the PWGCI for 2016;

- to consider whether it is appropriate to exclude Leaflet O 920-7 "Standard numerical coding for instructions concerning methods of payment" from the list of common OSJD/ UIC Leaflets by decision of the 70^th meeting of the joint group on C&IT in may 2016;

- to discard Leaflet O 920-11 "Standard numerical coding of information concerning damage occurring abroad to the various parts of wagons" from the list of common OSJD/UIC Leaflets by decision of the 70^th meeting of the joint OSJD/UIC group;

- to include in draft Work Plan of the PWGCI for 2016 the analysis on the use of coding of defects and damages to freight wagons in the new version of the PGW (comprehensive modifications and supplements);

- if necessary, to draft a new OSJD Leaflet numbered 945 and designated as O+R, based on the existing draft leaflet;

- to submit updated draft Leaflet O 920-13 "Standard coding and data structures of general information required for international freight traffic" for the approval by the XXXI meeting of the CGD;

- to discard Leaflet O 920-15 "Standard numerical coding of unit loads and transport packaging" by decision of the XXXI meeting of the CGD; - to exclude Leaflet O 920-15 from the list of joint OSJD/UIC leaflets by decision of the 70^th meeting of the joint group on C&IT in May 2016;

- to submit updated OSJD Leaflet O+R 941 "Security of Common Information Resources and Information and Telecommunications Infrastructure" for approval by the CGD. To publish adopted Leaflets R 941-1 "Principles for organisation of information security at the interface of digital telecommunications networks" and R 941-2 "Organizational and legal measures to provide information security on railway transport".

Based on the decision taken by the PWGCI expert meeting (20-21 October 2015), a request for UIC to designate as a responsible person a specialist being on top of issues concerning the topic "Coding and information technology" was made in draft Programme for co-operation between OSJD and UIC for the years 2016-2020.

Under the topic of "Paperless technology for international freight railway traffic" and due to drafting of the document "Electronic SMGS Consignment Note", work continued on documents managed by experts engaged in as follows:

- analysis of the data structure of the consignment note in the current agreements on EDI to determine the readiness to go over to comprehensive modifications and supplements in the SMGS and Service Manual to SMGS from 01.07.2015;

- updating of the IFTM1N message (SMGS consignment note description) in view of the SMGS revision;

- updating of Leaflet R 942 "Technology of Information Support for Freight Traffic under SMGS by Electronic Data Exchange in UN/EDIFACT Format" (version III as of 20.10.2006).

The PWGCI annual meeting approved the work as to the development of IFTMIN and IFCSUM messages performed in time that makes it possible to put the new SMGS Agreement into operation by national information systems, and concorded draft OSJD Leaflets O+R 943 "Library of standard electronic messages for international freight railway traffic under SMGS in UN/EDIFACT format" and O+R 944 "List of classifiers and data item codes. Library of standard electronic messages for international freight railway traffic under the SMGS".

It was decided to include into the Work Plan-2016 of the PWGCI the activities towards adding necessary segments to the APERAK message (Leaflet O+R 943) and respective data elements (Leaflet O+R 944) for the implementation of format-logic control and interface with customs authorities in part of advance notification.

Basing on the concords between OSJD and CIT, mad during the PWGCI expert meetings (29-30 April 2015, 22-23 October 2015), there were two meetings of the joint "Technical group for updating the Technical specifications of the electronic CIM/SMGS consignment note".

Within the framework of collaboration with CCTT, the PWGCI expert meeting (29-30 April 2015) listened to the report delivered by the CCTT representative on "Improvement of information support for Eurasian freight railway traffic under the 'Electronic train' project on which an unindifferent discussion was held.

Electronic interchange of transport documents with ES/EDS

Within the framework of technical solution development at the interchange of transport documents with ES/EDS* in cross-border traffic between railways of OSJD member states, observers and affiliated enterprises, the PWGCI expert meeting (15-17 September 2015) took note of information from OSJD railways - BC, LG, RZD JSC and UZ - on the development of technical solutions at the interchange of transport documents with ES/EDS in cross-border traffic between railways of OSJD Member States, Observers and Affiliated Enterprises. Technology of Trusted Third Party (TTP)** is at the stage of practical use on BC, RZD JSC, LG and AED Rail Service LLC to provide ES/EDS legitimacy of electronic documents in international traffic. Technological mechanisms to provide ES/EDS legitimacy were implemented by bilateral principle mutually agreed between BC and UZ, RZD JSC and UZ.

Interface of TTP between BC and RZD JSC has been successfully implemented since December 2012. Thus far, updates were brought into effect as to hardware and software complexes of the parties, which provide an increase in interface universalism of paired TTP. Since the end of 2014, interface has been launched between TTPs of LG and RZD JSC, TTPs of LG and BC. Since May 2015, interface has been practically used between TTPs of LG and BC. Since September 2015 it has been applied between LG and RZD JSC for the transport of empty private wagons by means of electronic transport documents. Since October 2015, BC and LG have extended the application scope of electronic SMGS consignment notes signed by EDS of BC and LG for the carriage of empty containers not owned by the carrier in bilateral traffic.

Since November 2015, the BC and RZD JSC have transferred the traffic of empty private rolling stock to the use of electronic SMGS consignment notes signed by ES/EDS, which has been applied in the whole traffic between BC and RZD JSC, avoiding the use of hard copies of transport documents.

TTP interface issues have been tackled in the final stage between BC, RZD JSC and LLC "AED Rail Service" under the "Electronic container transportation" project of "TransContainer" Public Company on the route Poland -Belarus - Russia.

UZ representatives informed that organisation of empty private wagon traffic between UZ and CJSC "Rail Cargo Hungaria" under electronic transport documents with ES/EDS was to continue. The information system interface of the UZ with PKP Cargo and ZSSK Cargo remains at the attained level.

Development of various schemes for admission of electronic cross-border documents

It has been noted that work continued for the development of regulatory-technological and technical basis in order to introduce various schemes for admission of electronic cross-border legal documents of the Specifications Databank Portal by means of schemes of cross-border interface. Within this work, the RZD JSC representative demonstrated a finalised version of the Specifications Databank Portal by means of schemes of cross-border interface, in view of remarks and proposals received at the PWG CI expert meeting (Trnava, Slovakia, on 9-11 September 2014). The Portal is made available in the Internet (http://bos.pkitrans.ru/bos) and contains information on organisational-technical issues relating to the organisation of mutual admission of electronic signatures in the electronic legal documents for cross-border interface. It also contains implementation examples of cross-border interface schemes as well as technical specifications and tools for the development and testing of services for Trusted Third Parties of newly connected partakers.

The Specifications Databank Portal for cross-border interface is designed for aggregating the existing technological and software solutions and regulatory and administrative documents to use them for the development, testing and operation of the systems of mutual admission of electronic signature to provide the legal rel­evance of electronic cross-border document workflow between the administrations of OSJD railways when international freight railway traffic is organised.

Monitoring and analysis in the field of cross-border interface of infrastructures of public keys

The monitoring that is conducted in the European Union and countries of Asia and the Pacific region is of significant interest for the railways of the OSJD Member States. Under this work, the meeting agreed on the report "Development of recommendations on the creation and modification of technologies for electronic cross-border interface of legal relevance in view of modern international experience (including experience of the countries of Asia and the Pacific region) on the establishment of cross-border trust area" that is made available on the OSJD Website.

Information support for freight and pas­senger traffic. Technical Specifications for Interoperability

On 19 May 2015, the UIC HQ (Paris, France) hosted the joint OSJD/UIC seminar "Information support for freight and passenger traffic. Technical specifications for interoperability (TAP TSI and TAF TSI)". It was attended by 17 experts from 12 entities. The seminar participants heard 6 reports and conducted discussions with speakers on 20 issues.

When other business was discussed, the annual meeting of the PWGCI gave a task to create a "List of carriers working under SMGS conditions" instead of "Perecen kodov ZDK" (List of ZDK codes) containing information as follows: RICS code, carrier's abbreviated designation (abbreviation) and full name in Cyrillic. It will be operationally updated on the basis of Annex 5 to SMGS.

Proposals were discussed on the conversion of the existing document "Recommendations as to the work with SMGS transport documents" into OSJD Leaflet of "R" nature.

The annual meeting took a decision to archive the final documents of the PWGCI meetings without any time limitations.

New Edition of PGW Agreement on the Final Stage

On 24-26 November 2015, OSJD Committee hosted the scheduled meeting of representatives from the railways being parties to the Agreement on the Rules for the Use of Freight Wagons in international traffic (PGW Agreement). Repre­sentatives from 19 railways attended the meeting; out of all the parties to the PGW Agreement, the Railways of the Islamic Republic of Iran only were not represented.

The meeting's conclusion was that its participants overwhelmingly agreed on the new version of the PGW Agreement with all its annexes, including the Rules for the Use of Freight Wagons in international traffic (PGW). The purposeful work was as good as completed. It has been carried out for the last six years, with its objective being to bring the content of the Agreement into proximity with the situation developed today as a result of structural reforms in the field of rail transport in the OSJD Member States.

Historical background

The Agreement on the Rules for the Use of Freight Wagons in international traffic is currently one of the nine independent agreements concluded within the framework of OSJD.

For a long time - from 1 November 1951 until the end of 1991 - the Rules for the Use of Wagons had been part of the Agreement on International Goods Transport by Rail (SMGS).

From 1 January 1992 until 31 December 2008, the Agreement on the Use of Wagons and Coaches (PPW) was in force, both for passenger coaches and freight wagons.

Based on it, two independent agreements were established by means of technical severing, which came into force on 1 January 2009:

• Agreement on the Rules for the Use of Passenger Coaches in international traffic (PPW Agreement) and
• Agreement on the Rules for the Use of Freight Wagons in international traffic (PGW Agreement).

For the last two decades, serious structural reforms have been taken place in many OSJD Member States: new partakes have appeared in the market, including rail transport. The reforms also required similar serious modifications in the regulatory and legal framework governing international freight traffic.

Above all, there was an urgent necessity to envisage the possibility of participation of several partakers from one country in the agreements concluded within the framework of OSJD.

For the first time amongst the OSJD freight wagon users, the definition of "multiple parties to the Agreement" was officially voiced and respective wording was put down in the minutes of the meeting attended by representatives from the Parties to the Agreement, which took place in Riga in June 2008. It was also there where it was decided to hold a meeting of the editing group to check out the text of the current Agreement and Rules.

The Editing group met at OSJD Committee on 9-10 February 2009 and came to the conclusion that it was necessary to conduct a full-scale revision of the Rules, and to this end an Ad hoc working group was to be established.

Parties to the Agreement supported the Editing group's proposal at the meeting that took place on 11-13 February 2009, and by decision of the Conference of General Directors (Authorized Representatives) of OSJD Railways in April 2009, Ad hoc Working Group (AWG) on the revision of PGW was established with due commission of its work in 2010.

The first meeting the AWG on the revision of PGW was held at OSJD Committee on 10-12 February 2010. In the same year the AWG came to the conclusion that a thorough preparation of materials was required to increase performance efficiency, to this end a Joint Working Group (JWG) was created being composed of leading specialists on the issues related to the use of freight wagons, from three Railways, namely Holding BDZ, LDZ and RZD JSC. Afterwards, PKP JSC joined the JWG.

It was the JWG meetings that drafted modifications being afterwards the subject of discussions for the AWG, and on which the new version of the Rules and subse­quently the Agreement were based.

Within six years, 33 meetings were held: 18 JWG meetings and 15 AWG meetings that were attended in total by 142 experts from 15 countries.

Despite disagreements, sharply contrary opinions now and then, owning to competence of the railway experts, their constructive approach and their being ready for discussions and compromises, the desired result was achieved.

In the course of work on the Rules, the necessity was becoming more apparent to update the Agreement itself as well, and the Ad hoc Working Group did it. The work results of the AWG were annually considered and approved at the meetings of representatives from the parties to the Agreements.

Differences between new and current versions of the Agreement

The main point, in essence, is that despite the significant structural and textual modification, the new version of the Agreement has preserved the subject matter and principles for interrelations laid down in it initially.

In principle, the system of interrelations between the Parties to the Agreement has not changed in terms of its fulfillment, liabilities of the Parties to the Agreement etc.

The main novelties are as follows:

1. The name of the document was changed: now it is not "The Agreement on the Rules for the Use of Freight Wagons" but "The Agreement on the Use of Freight Wagons...".
2. To put in order the terminology applied both in the Agreement and the Rules, chapters were made containing definitions and their clarification.

Thus, the definition of "railway" traditionally meant legal body i.e. railway undertaking or organisation as an economic aggregate of railway transport or as an administrative agency. This meaning is applied in many cases today as well. However, due to the said circumstances, this definition in the new version of the Agreement means railway infrastructure located in the territory of one concrete OSJD Member State. Due to the same circumstances, new definitions came into being, such as "railway undertaking", "wagon keeper" etc. Relations between railway undertakings (carriers) and wagon keepers are distinctly differentiated.

3. The structure of the Agreement was changed, with four new annexes being added.
4. The range of potential parties to the Agreement changed: railway undertakings, freight carriers and wagon keepers may be and may become parties to the Agreement, moreover, with no limit to their number from one OSJD Member State. The procedure for accession to the Agreement became more democratic: it is sufficient to submit to OSJD Committee an accession application with attached documents verifying the right to do respective business in their country and statistics on freight turnover in international traffic - for carriers and the number of freight wagons -for their keepers.
5. The general principle has been preserved and it is effective now: the equal number of votes for all the OSJD Member States the railway undertakings and wagon keepers of which are represented in the Agreement. However, due to possible participation of several railway undertakings from one OSJD Member State, which fall under the definition of "carrier" or "wagon keeper", the approach to voting procedure was drastically changed. Such a notion appeared as "a share of the vote" with which every party to the Agreement is vested, depending on its "share" in freight turnover for carriers and in keeping freight wagons for wagon keepers, being parties to the Agreement from its country. In this regard, it is assumed that a different procedure for specifying shares of the vote may be established or adopted in any OSJD Member state (for instance, by administrative decision, agreement, industry association's decision etc.). The procedure for specifying shares of the vote is described in a separate annex to the Agreement.
6. In view of possible multiple parties to the Agreement from one OSJD Member State, the procedure for and way of conducting meetings and adopting decisions were itemized, detailed and summarized in a separate annex to the Agreement.

The Rules for the Use of Freight Wagons (PGW) were considerably modified as well. They are oriented to put in order relations between wagon keepers and railway undertakings as well as between railway undertakings and wagon keepers, and they are summoned to bring the regulating provisions into proximity with the existing practice for higher effectiveness.

The main differences from the current Rules:

1) Like the new version of SMGS, the Rules do not apply the definition of "private wagon". The Rules stipulate equal requirements for all the wagons regardless of who owns them;

2) The customary term "wagon of inventory fleet" was replaced with the term "wagon of common use". It is a wagon which is owned by a railway undertaking and used by railway undertakings which are parties to the Agreement on special, agreed by them conditions in order to simplify procedures for agreeing the issues on the use of wagons after unloading at the consignee's and to increase the efficiency of use of the wagon fleet;

3) An equal approach was established to determination of a charge for the use of a wagon and determine the rates for maintenance work regardless of the geographical position of the State of registry of the Party to the Agreement;

4) Provisions were systematized as to parties' liability and a procedure was envisaged for settling disputes between the parties to the Agreement by means of laying claims and bringing suits;

5) The total number of annexes to PGW was reduced, with images of loading gauges of wagons abolished because this issue is beyond the competence of the parties to the Agreement;

6) Moreover, it should be noted that there is a new approach to the procedure for information exchange between the parties to the Agreement.

The current version of the Rules stipulates prescriptions and technical standards concerning the railway infrastructure of some countries, such as permissible wagon axle load on rails, loading gauges, abbreviated names of railways etc. These standards are of technical or informative nature and do not fall into the system and level of standards of an economic agreement. The current procedure for their adop­tion and modification may not be considered as justified, since according to the procedure provided for in the Agreement, all the issues of alteration and modification of the Rules shall be tackled by voting of the parties to the Agree­ment. It means that the technical or informative provisions which entirely fall into regulation of sovereign States shall be put to vote. This disadvantage has been avoided in the new version of the Agreement.

To exclude gaps in information exchange between the parties, the new version of the Agreement envisages annexes having informative status. Providing reliability and relevance of the provisions is a task vested in the parties to the Agreement as well as in OSJD Committee as the Agreement depository. Proposals on modification or addition of information reflected in these annexes must be submitted by the Parties to the Agreement on a regular basis to the OSJD Committee that shall, in its turn, make available the updated version of the respective annex on the OSJD Website;

7) The new version of the Rules reflects also changes that occurred in technologies of the transportation process.

Whereby, summarizing the six-year work on the new version of the Agreement on PGW and the PGW Rules, it can be said with confidence that railway undertakings and wagon keepers will receive a new improved legal instrument for higher competitiveness under conditions of globalization of economy and liberalization of railway transport.

The parties to the PGW Agreement, at their November meeting in 2015, considered work of the Ad hoc Working Group on the revision of PGW as completed, and they approved the procedure for the Agreement's entry into force. The proposed date is 1 January 2017. The final decision will be adopted by the parties to the Agreement at the XXXI Conference of General Directors (Authorized Representatives) of OSJD Railways in Kyrgyz Republic in April 2016.

Common approaches to vocational training of staff/personnel in the field of freight railway traffic

(information report)

The first meeting of the Ad Hoc Working Group on drafting recommendations as to common approaches to vocational training of staff/personnel in the field of freight railway traffic took place at OSJD Committee on 3-4 November 2015 with the participation of the representatives from Hungary, Georgia, Republic of Moldova, Russian Federation, OSJD Affiliated Enterprises: “PLASKE” JSC, “TransContainer” JSC, Association of transport-related institutions for higher education and OSJD Committee as well.

 In the course of the meeting, the following matters were considered:

-   Mr. Artem Khachaturian, General Director of “PLASKE” JSC (OSJD affiliated enterprise) was elected as Chairman of the Ad Hoc Working Group, and Mr. Yevgeny Zarechkin representing  the Association of Transport High Schools (OSJD Affiliated Enterprise) was elected Deputy Chairman;

-   at the moment the following railways made their wishes to participate in the work of the Ad Hoc Working Group: “MAV” CJSC (Hungary), “Georgian Railway” JSC (Georgia), NC “KTZ” JSC (Kazakhstan), “Railway of Moldova” State Enterprise (Moldova), “RZD” JSC (Russia), State Railway JSC “Uzbek Railways” (Uzbekistan), UZ (Ukraine), Eurosib CJSC SP-TS (Russia), “RAIDO” LLC (Ukraine), “TransContainer” JSC (Russia), “Association of Transport High Schools”, “PLASKE” JSC (Ukraine). The list of participants is open foe adhesions by the parties concerned;

-   a decision was made to study the experience and mechanism as to organisation of vocational training in international organisations;

-   tasks and objectives were defined together with the Rules of Procedure for work of the Ad Hoc Working Group;

- draft Work Plan for 2016 was discussed.

 The meeting participants underlined the relevance of and the need for using the existing experience in practical implementation of such training within the international organisations in the transport-logistics field (ICAO, FIATA, IRU, IATA, EU, UIC, IMO) in view of the OSJD’s specific character for drafting recommendations as to common approaches to vocational training staff/personnel in the field of freight railway traffic. Carrying out this work will provide an increase in the skilled level of participants in the market of freight railway traffic and higher competitiveness and attractiveness of the railway transport in general.

 In the course of discussions, the meeting participants ear-marked the advisability of a uniform approach to terminology in the field of vocational training, to the definition of staff/personnel categories falling under the scope of activities of the Ad Hoc Group, to the content, methodology, forms and methods of the vocational training (education) and to the elaboration of criteria for knowledge/competence assessment and certification.

The main objectives of the Ad Hoc Group on drafting recommendations as to common approaches to vocational training of staff/personnel in the field of freight railway traffic were defined as follows:

- to analyze and combine the experience of international organisations and OSJD member countries;

- to elaborate common approaches in the field of vocational training of staff/personnel;

- to develop proposals on the implementation of the abovementioned approaches, including the example of the pilot project for practical training of application and usage of SMGS edition as of 1 July 2015;

- to submit recommendations in the final edition to the OSJD Ministers Conference for approval.

The attendees made a proposal on the need to develop a special procedure for participation in and termination of the Ad Hoc Working Group activities, as well as to determine the quorum (individual Rules of Procedure based on Leaflet A6) in view of the Ad Hoc Working Group’s concern to attract as many participants as possible.

14^th UIC Terminology Group Meeting

(press-release)

The 14^th UIC Terminology Group Meeting was held from 22 till 23 October 2015 in the UIC Headquarters in Paris under the chairpersonship of Rosalinde Taucher – Terminologist, UIC Secretariat.

The meeting was attended by the representatives of railways and railway agencies and institutions of: Germany (DB AG), Norway (JBV), Poland (PKP PLK), Repulic Srpska (Republika Srpska) (ZRS), Finnland (FTA), Czech Republic (SZDC), Switzerland (SBB), Sweden (STA), Japan (RTRI), as well as European Commission, UIC Secretariat and OSJD Committee.

In the beginning of the meeting Mr. Marc Antoni, Director of UIC Rail System Department, presented the main directions of UIC activities starting from its foundation in 1921 at the Intergovernmental Conference in Italy and finishing up with the activities at present. Special attention was paid by him to the development of International Railway Standards (IRS), underlying an important role of cooperation with OSJD in this field. In this context, he stressed, the unification of railway terminology is of great importance, which facilitates more precise, detailed and fast development and translation of joint documents in various languages.

The purposes which faced and are facing the railways nowadays and, respectively, are laid down for the development of standards, include first of all safety, then punctuality and availability, and only then marketing and profitability. Unfortunately, he noted, nowadays the accents are put often in other sequence that leads to a decrease in safety level, and finally, affects the attractiveness of railway transport in general.

In the following presentation Timothy Cooper, Senior English Terminologist, English Department, General Directorate for Translation (DG Translation) of the European Commission told about the procedures of translation work organisation in the European Commissions, having noted that harmonisation of terminology is in the center of attention of 4 EC General Directorates for Translation (as a whole about 1650 translators are employed by the European Commission who are based in Luxembourg and Brussels). In each translation department there are at least 2 terminologists who are responsible for the development and improvement of terminological resources – both electronic, and paper. In total there are 24 languages and, respectively, departments (English plus 23).

He also pointed out the problem of the variety of languages and their options that causes difficulties in spelling. Sometimes such words like professionalisms and neologisms are used which do not exist in dictionaries, and sometimes in view of considerable mistakes in spelling maid by the experts in the documents, it is impossible to define the word meaning precisely.

The meeting chairperson Rosalinde Taucher demonstrated the access procedure and possibilities of the UIC Extranet system

Sergey Kabenkov, Editor-in-Chief of the OSJD Bulletin informed participants about the organisation of editorial and translation work in the OSJD Committee on in various languages for the publication of the journal and other documentation and for posting information on the OSJD website in three languages.

Representative of the Finnish Transport Agency (FTA) Juha-Heikki Pasanen Yukha-Heikki Pasanen made a presentation of the Illustrated Turnout Glossary and showed a trial paper version which was amended and complimented during the meeting and workshop. He also discussed some terminological features and extractions on the subject “Rail Defects” in UIC Leaflet 712 and OSJD Leaflet O+R 736.

Representative of the Swedish Transport Agency (STA) Maria Gustafsson pointed put some useful tips for translating ERTMS glossary.

The workshop, which was included into the programme of the second day of the meeting was aimed at practical work with a new version of the terminology web-based input tool UIC TermEdit (webclient).

Opening the workshop, the meeting chairperson informed participants on the main changes in the interface and functions of the UIC web-based input tool, having noted that the new version is faster and more convenient for users. When inserting changes by one of the users others can see them immediately in the system. Still there were some difficulties connected with changing the interface languages (long time).

The search engine for terms was added a new function allowing to look for a word or a term by using the first several letters. In the process of letters input the whole line of the words with the entered initial letters appears, i.e. there is no need to print the whole word or term that considerably saves time during the search.

During the workshop the following issues were practiced:

- how to log in (login and password),

- database functions:

1. display of four languages, language changing function,
2. display and editing mode,
3. show quick info and help function,
4. different screens: from available to specific fields,
5. how to search for terms,
6. normal search vs. full text search,
7. how to display existing terms and their additional information: synonyms, definitions, usage, note field etc.,
8. advanced search,
9. how to find missing translations,
10. how to modify existing terms,
11. how to add equivalents/translations,
12. how to export glossaries in Excel or PDF format,
13. How to print a glossary with missing translations,

Concluding the meeting results, the delegates pointed out that participation in the work of the Terminology Group for the development of electronic dictionaries and standardisation of railway terminology is very important for the improvement of quality of documents and printed matters published in several languages. Terminology makes up a basis in the work of translators, editors and proofreaders of multilingual editions and websites of various companies and organisations therefore regular purposeful work on its unification and improvement is a basis for strengthening of the positions of railways both in information space, and in the international transport market as a whole.

Work Results of OSJD Commission on Freight Traffic

The work results of the OSJD Commission on Freight Traffic were discussed at the Commission meeting that took place at OSJD Committee on 13-16 October 2015, which was attended by representatives from railways of the OSJD member countries as follows: Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Hungary, Vietnam, Georgia, Iran, Kazakhstan, China, DPRK, Kyrgyz Republic, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Mongolia, Poland, Russia, Slovakia, Tajikistan, Ukraine, Czech Republic and Estonia; OSJD Observer- “German Railway” JSC; OSJD Affiliated Enterprises: Rail Cargo Hungaria CJSC, KORAIL, Freightliner Group LLC, CTM LLC, TransContainer JSC, PLASKE JSC and OLTIS Group JSC as well as UIC and OSJD Committee.

The agenda of the meeting included consideration of the Commission work results in 2015 on the following subjects:

• Improvement of the Agreement on Uniform Transit Tariff (ETT) and ETT Tariff;
• Improvement of the Agreement on International Transit Tariff (MTT) and MTT Tariff;
• Improvement of the Agreement on PGW, modifications and amendments to the Rules for the Use of Freight Wagons in International Traffic (PGW), activities aimed at PGW revision;
• Improvement and updating of Harmonised Commodity Code (GNG);
• Creation of the List of freight stations of the OSJD railways;
• Organisation of large-tonnage container traffic between Europe and Asia;
• Activities aimed at organising freight traffic under the Unified CIM/SMGS consignment note;
• Activities carried out for implementation of the joint UNESCAP/OSJD projects;
• Coordination of timetables for freight trains of OSJD railways in international traffic;
• Coordination of the freight transportation volumes in international traffic by the OSJD railways concerned;
• Issues relating to competitiveness and marketing.

The meeting participants heard the presentation made by the PLASKE JSC, an OSJD Affiliated Enterprise, on the subject of “Common Approaches to Vocational Staff Training in the field of freight railway traffic”, within the framework of which the objectives and mandate were specified for the established ad hoc working group, the first meeting of which was scheduled to take place at OSJD Committee (Warsaw) on 3-4 November 2015, and they expressed once again their interest in its work on training highly professional staff in the field of international railway freight traffic.

The meeting participants heard information on work carried out by the Parties to the Agreement on Unified Transit Tariff (ETT) as to improvement of the ETT Agreement and update of ETT Tariff, in particular the meeting of representatives of the Parties to the ETT Agreement (OSJD Committee, Warsaw, 5-8 May 2015) considered comments and proposals made by the Parties to the ETT Agreement with regard to improvement of the Agreement and update of the ETT Tariff, including those relating to entry into force, with effect from 1 July 2015, of the comprehensive modifications and supplements in the SMGS, as well as modifications and supplements were agreed for the Agreement and ETT Tariff.

In the course of the above-mentioned meeting, the procedure for calculation of carriage charges was agreed for a new type of goods “Railway wagons in the capacity of a transport means for transiting staff (trainmen) accompanying the goods” (GNG Code 99200000), and a respective modification was made in the GNG text, with regard to application of the ETT provisions for the carriage of goods in a container and empty container, and for the carriage of goods in wagons belonging to the carrier.

OSJD Committee, as the depositary of the Agreement, declared the agreed modifications and supplements in the Agreement and ETT Tariff with effect from 1 October 2015. Besides, supplements to the ETT Tariff came into force on 5 October 2015, with regard to transit distance tables of the Chinese Railways (KZD).

The updated texts of the Agreement as of 1 October 2015 and ETT Tariff as of 5 October 2015 were made available on the OSJD Web-site.

In accordance with the provisions of the Agreement, OSJD Committee, as the depositary of the Agreement, will prepare the updated texts of the Agreement and ETT Tariff as of 1 January 2016 in order to transmit them to the parties of the Agreement, OSJD Observers and Affiliated Enterprises concerned.

Within the scope of activities carried out by the Parties to the Agreement on International Railway Transit Tariff (MTT) with regard to improvement of the MTT Agreement and update of MTT Tariff, the XXVI Meeting of representatives of the Parties to the MTT Agreement took place in the city of Jurmala (Latvian Republic) on 30 June - 3 July 2015 (see more detailed information in the OSJD Bulletin
4-5/2015, pages 30-31).

The subject of “Improvement of the Agreement on the Use of freight Wagons in International Traffic (PGW) and modifications and supplements to the Rules for the use of freight wagons in international traffic (PGW)” were considered by the parties to the PGW Agreement at the meetings of representatives of the Parties to the Agreement and ad hoc working group meetings on the PGW revision.

Following the results of the above-mentioned meetings, the annexes to the current PGW were updated as follows: Annex 7 “The list of addresses and telephone/fax numbers by means of which spare parts for freight wagons to be repaired may be required or returned” and Annex 7a “The List of addresses and telephone/fax/telex numbers of headquarters of railways, headquarters of wagon economy and headquarters of central settlement centres”.

The meeting of the Parties to the Agreement (16-19 June 2015, OSJD Committee, Warsaw) considered and provisionally agreed draft new edition of the PGW Agreement and PGW rules (comprehensive modifications and supplements), drafted by the ad hoc working group on the PGW revision.

For November 2015, a meeting of representatives of the Parties to the Agreement is scheduled to take place, with the agenda including the matter on agreeing the comprehensive modifications and supplements to the PGW Agreement.

Following the results of ad hoc working group meetings on the PGW revision:

• drafting comprehensive modifications and supplements to the PGW was completed in accordance with the agreed structure of the PGW and in view of new terminology;
• work was finalized on the revision of annexes to the PGW and annex numbering, and a new single visual format of annexes was developed, which include graphic images;
• comprehensive modifications and supplements to the PGW Agreement were drafted, which include new annexes to the Agreement as follows:

- Annex B “Rules of procedure for meetings”;

- Annex G “Methods for defining the shares of the vote of Parties”;

- Annex D “Voting on the PGW chapters”;

- Annex E “Application for acceding to the PGW Agreement”;

• the following documents were developed:

- the procedure for entry into force of comprehensive modifications and supplements to the PGW Agreement;

- draft Procedure for the preparatory period of entry into force comprehensive modifications and supplements to the PGW Rules.

Taking into account the relevance of the ad hoc working group’s work on the PGW revision, the meeting participants being Parties to the Agreement proposed including the issue of “Report on the ad hoc working group’s work on the PGW revision” in the agenda of the XXXI Conference of General Directors as an individual agenda item.

Next subject of “Improvement and update of the GNG” was considered at the meeting of representatives of the Commission (24-27 March 2015, the city of Sochi, Russian Federation) with participation of representatives from CTM LLC, an OSJD Affiliated Enterprise, CCTT and President of the UIC Steering Committee on NHM/DIUM.

The meeting discussed comments and proposals made by the OSJD Railways applying the GNG with regard to improvement and update of the GNG so that it should be harmonised with the NHM version of 2015.

Modifications and supplements to the GNG, agreed at the meeting, drafted by the leading design engineers of the GNG at the OSJD i.e. Russian Railways JSC (RZD JSC), in view of comments and proposals made by the OSJD Railways applying the GNG, were adopted by the XXX Conference of General Directors with effect from 1 June 2015.

OSJD Committee, as the depositary of the GNG, declared entry into force of modifications and supplements to the GNG with effect from 1 June 2015. The working body of the Commission issued the updated text of the GNG as of 1 June 2015, the model of which was prepared by the leading design engineer. The certified copy of the updated text of the GNG was transmitted to all the railways and OSJD Observers and Affiliated Enterprises concerned. The GNG text as of 1 June 2015 is made available on the OSJD Web-site.

OSJD Committee, as the depositary of the GNG, transmitted the modifications to the GNG with effect from 1 October 2015 and modifications and supplements to the ETT Tariff with effect from 1 October 2015.

The updated text of the GNG as of 1 October 2015 is made available on the OSJD Web-site.

Within the framework of co-operation between OSJD and UIC, representatives from the OSJD railways, namely LG, RZD JSC, CFR Marfa, CD Cargo and OSJD Committee took participation in the annual meeting of the UIC Steering Committee on NHM/DIUM (4-5 March 2015, Paris, France), at which modifications and supplements to the NHM were adopted with effect from 1 May 2015.

The subject of “Creation of the List of freight stations of the OSJD railways” was discussed at the Commission meeting (24-27 March 2015, Sochi, Russian Federation) with participation of experts from the OSJD Permanent Working Group on coding and informatics (PWG CI).

The meeting participants noted that updated data and information to add to the List of freight stations of the OSJD railways (hereafter, the List) in accordance with the provisions of  Leaflet O 405 “Regulations on creation and support of the List of freight stations of the OSJD railways” (II edition) were submitted by representatives from  railways of Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bulgaria, Hungary (MAV CJSC, GySEV CJSC, Rail Cargo Hungaria CJSC), Vietnam, Georgia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Mongolia (UDZD JSC), Poland (PKP CARGO), Russia, Slovakia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Ukraine, Czech Republic and Estonia.

The updated versions of the List and Leaflet O 405 are made available on the OSJD Web-site in PDF format.

The subject of “Organisation of large-tonnage container traffic between Europe and Asia” was discussed at the expert meeting of the Commission (30 June - 3 July 2015, OSJD Committee, Warsaw).

At present, 142 container and piggyback trains are organised and run on the OSJD railways on a permanent basis, and 287 trains depart when ready. The updated information on the container trains and combined transportation on the OSJD railways, as of 16 October 2015, prepared in conjunction with the working body of the Commission by the leading performer of the subtopic, JSC Kazakhstan Temir Zholy National Enterprise, is made available on the OSJD Web-site and published in the OSJD Bulletin.

The representative from the PLASKE JSC, an OSJD Affiliated Enterprise, informed the Commission’s Annual meeting participants on the initiative made by the railways of Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Ukraine on delivery organisation of large-tonnage containers in China - Europe – China traffic on the route via the Caspian and Black Seas with the use of through railway-ferry service and integration of container trains on the very route.

The leading performer, UZ, completed its work on forming the database of volumes of large-tonnage container traffic on OSJD railways for 2014, based on the data submitted by railways and on the comparative analysis of the data for 2013.

The analysis showed that, in 2014, the OSJD railways received 2157.9 thousand TEU and handed over 2309.5 thousand TEU, which was less by 8.1% and 3.6% less respectively as compared with the data for 2013 (KZD data not included).

The meeting approved modifications and supplements to OSJD Leaflet R 421 “Rules for the use of general-purpose large-containers for international railway services”, drafted by experts of the Commission, with effect from 16 October 2015.

The subject of “Activities aimed at organising freight traffic under the unified CIM/SMGS consignment note” was considered at the expert meeting of the Commission (30 June - 3 July 2015, OSJD Committee, Warsaw).

The Commission’s experts drafted and adopted the agreed form of the table to submit statistics data on the volumes of freight traffic under the unified CIM/SMGS consignment note (for 2015 as compared with the data for 2014).

The Chairperson of the Commission’s Annual meeting noted that, in the course of 2015, the railways carried out their work on organisation of freight traffic under CIM/SMGS consignment note.

The railways’ information on organisation of freight traffic under CIM/SMGS consignment note, including consignments by container trains, for 5 and 8 months 2015, was provided in draft report on “The work results of OSJD Commission on Freight Traffic for 2015”.

At the present time, work is carried out on the joint UNESCAP-OSJD projects by the OSJD Railways concerned and KZH, leading performer, in co-operation with the CCTT:

- “Planning and Implementation of Demonstration Runs of Container Block-Trains along the Trans-Asian Railway Northern Corridor (Project 1);

- “Operationalisation of Euro-Asian rail routes with particular reference to

landlocked countries in Asia and Caucasus” (Project 2).

Under Project 1: container traffic was organised on all the scheduled routes of the TAR NC, excluding traffic from Port of Busan (Republic of Korea) to Europe.

According to Ulan-Bator Railway JSC (UBZD JSC), 11 transit container trains operated in Asia-Europe-Asia traffic as of April 2015, including:

from China to Germany on the Zhengzhou - Erlian - Zamyn-Uud - Suhe-Bator - Naushki - Brest - Hamburg route (9 trains);

from Germany to China on the Hamburg - Brest - Naushki - Ulan-Bator - Zamyn-Uud - Erlian - Zhengzhou (2 trains).

Under Project 2: For 2014 and 9 months of 2015, 2945 container trains (in 2014, 1814 trains; in 2015, 1131 trains) were organised and passed on the territory of Kazakhstan in Europe - Asia - Europe traffic. Besides, the pilot run of a container train was implemented on the China - Kazakhstan - Azerbaijan route with participation of railway and maritime transport in the international through railway-ferry traffic.

According to JSC Kazakhstan Temir Zholy National Enterprise, it is planned to implement the run of container trains on the routes of China - Kazakhstan - Azerbaijan and China - Kazakhstan - Azerbaijan - Georgia -Turkey with railway and maritime transport involved.

In view of the growing interest in mutual trade between the countries of Southeast and Central Asia, Caucasus and Europe, to attract additional volumes of goods to railway transport and provide seamless transportation, the meeting participants considered it advisable to continue co-operation with the UN ESCAP on operationalisation of railway traffic between the said regions.

Due to certain difficulties in implementation of the above-mentioned projects, it was proposed to continue co-operation under the global projects of the UN ESCAP “Development of seamless intermodal transport services in Northeast and Central Asia with railways involved in order to extend Euro-Asian transport links” and “Facilitation of cross-border transportation in international railway traffic”.

The Commission’s annual meeting participants noted the importance of activities carried out by the OSJD member countries on the joint UNESCAP-OSJD projects, using the UIC’s international platform, in conjunction with the OSJD Commission on Transport Policy and Development Strategy in co-operation with the UIC and CCTT, and interest in further co-operation with the UN ESCAP on other projects was shown.

On 2 - 5 February 2015, in Town Hodonín (Czech Republic) the Commission meeting was held on development of and agreement on the freight train timetables according to border crossing points in the period of 2015/2016 for the European railways and OSJD railways of Group I.

The meeting participants noted that the border points  of railways in Belarus (BC), Lithuania (LG), Moldova (CFM), Russia (RZD JSC) and Ukraine (UZ) have often organisational and technological problems (including that of replacement of 1435/1520 mm bogies) relating to the run of trains, and they expressed their opinion that it was important for the representatives of those railways to participate in the meeting on the consideration of issues concerning the seamless movement to be ensured for the transit freight trains at border points, and on the development of international freight trains in transcontinental Asia - Europe - Asia traffic.

The BC representative said that the BC considered it unreasonable to participate in the Conference on development of train movement schedules, because:

-   BC and PKP PLK JSC annually hold a meeting of the Belarus-Polish border railway commission  on preparation of and agreement on train movement schedules according to border points for the next year between the PKP PLK JSC and BC, at which the sizes and schedules of movement through the border points are defined, operational issues are tackled, prospects of co-operation and directions for improvement of operation are discussed – last meeting of the commission took place in the Republic of Belarus (Baranovichi) on 8-11 September 2015;

-   European carriers being in contractual relations with the BC and operating on the Belarus-Polish border points take energetic participation in the commission;

-   European carriers operating on the Belarus-Polish border points are direct competitors and prefer discussing prospects of transportation development in bilateral format on a confidentiality basis;

-   organisation of movement at border points between the railways of 1435 mm gauge, participating in the Conference, and at border points of the 1435/1520 mm interface has considerable differences;

-   operational issues of the BC and PKP PLK JSC at border points are tackled by means of day planning and interaction between control offices of the parties.

The subject of “ Coordination of the freight transportation volumes in international traffic” was considered at the meeting of representatives from the OSJD Railways and foreign trade organisations in Beijing (PRC) on 30 March - 3 April 2015, at which a summary was made for the implementation of freight volumes of foreign trade for 2014, and volumes were coordinated for export, import and transit traffic of good for 2015 with their distribution by quarters and by types of goods according to each border point, and technical and organisational measures were elaborated to ensure the implementation of the agreed volumes.

The Commission’s annual meeting participants underlined that it was necessary to submit to OSJD Committee and each other their data on the account and planned freight traffic volumes.

The RZD JSC representative informed the meeting participants that the next meeting on that issue would be held in Sochi (Russian Federation).

The Commission’s annual meeting participants were informed on the results of Railway Summit and 10th International Freight Conference which were organised under the umbrella of the OSJD by the “KORAIL” railway corporation (OSJD Affiliated Enterprise) in Seoul (Republic of Korea) on 27 - 29 May 2015 with participation of the Heads of railway companies from OSJD member countries (detailed information on these events is available in the OSJD Bulletin No.4-5/2015, pages 41-45).

Within the scope of activities carried out by the OSJD Commission on Freight Traffic, work is going on the creation of freight Web-portal of the OSJD, which was approved by the XXX Conference of General Directors. The creation of freight Web-portal is implemented in co-operation with the CTM LLC, an OSJD Affiliated Enterprise.

Launching the freight Web-portal, OSJD’s product, will enable the operational search of required data on any property, including the name of railway, station, station code and freight operations handled at the station and etc.

In December 2015, it is scheduled to start operation of the freight Web-portal, whereby the link to connect to this portal will be available on the main page of the OSJD Web-site.

The CTM LLC representative made the meeting participants familiarised with the model of the OSJD freight Web-portal which is an electronic reference-information software system.

The Commission’s annual meeting agreed on draft Report on the “Work Results of the OSJD Commission on Freight Traffic for 2015” and Work Plan of the Commission for 2016 and prepared draft decision for the XXXI Conference of General Directors in the field of freight transport.

The meeting participants were informed that, on the OSJD Web-site, texts of all the contracts, agreements and OSJD leaflets being within remits of the OSJD are made available and continuously kept updated, and as well the possibility of operational exchange of information on the closed platform of the OSJD Web-site is provided (https://osjd.org).

Transport Policy and Development Strategy

The annual meeting of the OSJD Commission on Transport Policy and Development Strategy was held on 6 - 9 October 2015 with participation of representatives from the following OSJD member countries: Azerbaijani Republic, Republic of Belarus, Hungary, Georgia, Islamic Republic of Iran, Republic of Kazakhstan, People’s Republic of China, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Kyrgyz Republic, Latvian Republic, Lithuanian Republic, Republic of Moldova, Mongolia, Republic of Poland, Russian Federation, Romania, Republic of Uzbekistan, Ukraine, Czech Republic, Estonian Republic as well as the OSJD Committee and UIC Secretariat.

 The agenda included the following items:

- Progress of work of the Comprehensive measures to facilitate rail traffic and develop OSJD Railway Transport Corridors No.9, 12 and 13 until 2020:

• the results of meetings held between representatives of the countries being parties to the OSJD railway transport corridors No. 1, 2, 4, 12 and 13, on matters relating to implementation of provisions of the Memoranda,
• feasibility study for the inclusion of new railway lines in the OSJD railway transport corridors,
• monitoring conducted for the technical-operational certificates of OSJD railway transport corridors No. 1-4;

- Information from OSJD member countries on the development of fast speed and high speed passenger traffic in the OSJD member countries;

- Analysis of the causes for passenger train delays and freight trains delays at the border (interchange) stations in 2014:

• information from the OSJD member countries on the progress of work as to

the implementation of Annex 9 “Facilitation of Border Crossing Procedures for International Rail Freight” to the International Convention on Harmonization of Frontier Control of Goods (1982),

• elaboration of proposals on the procedure for border control and customs clearance for piggy-back traffic vehicles,
• information on the decisions adopted at the VIII Inter-Agency Conference “Best practice in border crossing by rail transport” (Gdansk, Republic of Poland, 22-23 September 2015);

- Studies of trends of the strategic development of rail transport of the OSJD member countries:

• studies of experience and analysis of reforms underway on the rail transport of the OSJD member countries, with the information to be published;
• progress of work of the OSJD/ERA Contact group on interaction of the 1520 mm and 1435 mm railway systems;

- Update and preparation of the “Bulletin of OSJD statistics information on railway transport” – 2014 for publication:

• compilation of the main performance indices for operation of OSJD railway transport corridors1-13 for 2014,
• updates of the current version of the Explanatory Notes to fill in the electronic tables for statistics, consideration of new forms of the electronic tables for statistics and Explanatory Notes to fill in them;

- Consideration of and agreeing the progress of work on management and replenishment of the information funds of the OSJD Automated Data Bank (OSJD ADB), compilation and application of the information resources of the Scientific, Technical and Economic Information Centers (STEI Centers):

• formation and application of the thematic (topical) bibliographies,
• updates of the list of the distributed foreign transport magazines to be processed by STEI Centers of the OSJD member countries,
• consideration of matters concerning the implementation of access to the information resources of STEI Centers via Internet as well as by means of Single Search System of OSJD STI,
• consideration of and agreeing the progress of work on the development and management of the websites of STEI Centers of OSJD member countries via Internet in accordance with OSJD Leaflet O+R 905-4,
• updates of the electronic version of the address book of OSJD STEI Centers.

 The meeting also considered and agreed draft Work Plan of the OSJD Commission on Transport Policy and Development Strategy for 2016, draft Work Programme of the OSJD Commission for 2017 and years to come and the work results of the OSJD Commission on Transport Policy and Development Strategy for 2015.

 OSJD Railway Transport Corridors

 The meeting of the Commission supported the proposal made by the expert meeting on the given subject to keep monitoring the Comprehensive Plans for the improvement of transportation and development of OSJD transport corridors as follows:

- 2016 – OSJD Corridors No. 1, 2 and 3;

- 2017 - OSJD Corridors No. 5, 7 and 10;

- 2018 - OSJD Corridors No. 4, 6, 8 and 11.

 The working body of the commission informed the meeting participants that, in Moscow on 4 March 2015, the first meeting took place between the countries that are parties to OSJD railway transport corridor No. 1 to discuss the issues relating to implementation of the Memorandum provisions. During the said meeting, specific attention was paid to the issues concerning the creation of a Coordinating Body (CB). No decision was made on the issue of practicability of the creation of such a body, its form, functions and mechanisms for configuration and financing.

 Within the framework of the expert meeting on the subject “Elaboration and implementation of Comprehensive measures to facilitate rail traffic and develop OSJD Railway Transport Corridors” (7-10 April 2015, Chisinau, the Republic of Moldova), a meeting took place between the countries that are parties to OSJD railway transport corridor No. 12 and 13 to discuss the issues relating to implementation of the Memorandum provisions.

The expert meeting also considered the proposals made by the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Republic of Moldova as to possible connection of new lines to the OSJD railway transport corridors.

 The Republic of Kazakhstan proposed including:

- the new line of Iletsk - Kandyagash - Nikel-tau - Tobol as a branch of

OSJD railway transport corridor No. 2;

- the new line of Zhetygen – Altynkol as a branch of

OSJD railway transport corridor No. 5.

 The republic of Moldova proposed, and the countries that are parties to OSJD railway transport corridor No. 12 and Ukraine agreed, extending OSJD railway transport corridor No. 12 in the territory of the Republic of Moldova from the Oknitsa station to the Velchinets station and farther in the territory of Ukraine up to the Zhmerynka station.

 The meeting of the Commission having discussed the said issues took the following decision:

- to extend OSJD railway transport corridor No. 12 in the territory of the Republic of Moldova from the Oknitsa station to the Velchinets station and farther in the territory of Ukraine up to the Zhmerynka station provided that the existing traffic capacity in the territory of Ukraine is maintained;

- to include the new line of Iletsk - Kandyagash - Nikel-tau - Tobol as a branch of

OSJD railway transport corridor No. 2;

- to include the new line of Zhetygen – Altynkol as a branch of OSJD railway transport corridor No. 5.

 In this respect, the meeting of the Commission deemed it appropriate to update the Comprehensive measures to facilitate rail traffic and develop OSJD Railway Transport Corridors No. 2, 5 and 12 until 2020 as well as the technical-operational certificates of OSJD railway transport corridors No. 2, 5 and 12, and to include corresponding changes in the Memoranda for the above-mentioned corridors.  

 In the course of the meeting, the Republic of Kazakhstan proposed including the following new lines:

- the Beyneu - Uzen – Bolashak line, in corridor No. 8;

- the Dostyk - Mointy - Zhezkazgan - Saksaulskaya - Beyneu - Aktau - Port Aktau line, in corridor No. 10.

 Having discussed the issue the meeting of the Commission approved, as a whole, the proposal made by the Republic of Kazakhstan and requested the countries that are parties to corridors to support the proposal.

 Analysis of the causes for delays of trains and rail cars

 The working body of the commission informed the meeting that OSJD member countries had submitted their pieces of information concerning the analysis of the causes for delays of passenger trains and freight wagons at the border (interchange) stations as well as information on the implementation of measures aimed at facilitation of border crossing.

 The analytical findings in respect of border crossing stations, submitted by each railway administration, show the progress of work on the established standards for the technological process of handling the freight and passenger trains at the border crossing stations, taking into account the specifications of each border crossing station and peculiarities of customs clearance and border control and other types of the State control when passengers and goods are moved across the border.

 The meeting participants took note of the combined analytical information from the OSJD member countries on the progress of work on the practical implementation of Annex 9.

 Within the framework of the given subject, the meeting of Informal group of experts took place under the aegis of the UN ECE at OSJD Committee on 27-28 April 2015. The meeting was devoted to draft Convention on facilitation of border crossing procedures for passengers and luggage carried in international traffic by rail.

 The meeting participants from the Russian Federation presented for consideration draft Convention on facilitation of border crossing procedures for passengers, luggage and load-luggage carried in international traffic by rail and informed, in the course of their presentation, that remarks and proposals from the Republic of Belarus, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Republic of Tajikistan and Ukraine were taken into account during the preparation of draft Convention.

 When drafting the Convention, the Russian Federation proceeded from the idea that the Convention must have a frame nature without much detailing, yet it must create conditions for bilateral and multilateral cooperation of full value in order to facilitate the state border crossing procedures for passengers, luggage and load-luggage carried in international traffic by rail.

 The leading duty holder from the Lithuanian Republic delivered at the expert meeting on the given subject a piece of information and a presentation on the experience gained by the Lithuanian Railways JSC in the field of implementation of piggy back traffic by the example of the “Nemunas/Neman” train. It was pointed out that by virtue of close cooperation between the Lithuanian Railways JSC and competent control services, the creation of a special legal basis was not required to implement the abovementioned project in the Lithuanian Republic, and conventional requirements were applied instead, which are applicable for freight tarffic by rail.

 It was noted that in some OSJD member countries, the main barriers on the way to implement cross-border piggy back traffic included the absence in the national legislation of the possibility for piggy back trains to cross the borders, including by transit, and inadaptability of infrastructure as well. On the said issue, information was delivered by the leading duty holder from Ukraine on the procedure for border crossing by piggy back traffic.

 Matters on facilitation of procedures for border crossing by international railway freight and passenger traffic were widely discussed in the course of the VIII International Inter-Agency Conference of the OSJD member countries “Practice in border crossing by railway transport” organised within the framework of the 11th TRAKO-2015 International Railway Fair in Gdansk on 22-23 September 2015 (detailed information is available in the given issue of the journal, in the section of “On OSJD activity” and OSJD Web-site).

 “Directions for railway transport strategic development and reforms”

 The representatives from Ukraine delivered their presentation “Progress of reforms on the railway transport of Ukraine” which provoked the meeting participants’ interest.

 For consideration of the given subject, OSJD Committee requested the member countries to transmit their updated information on the progress of reforms in the railway sector of their countries for its making available on the external portal of the OSJD Web-site. Bulgaria, Kazakhstan, China, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Russia, Romania, Slovakia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Ukraine submitted their pieces of information.

 The meeting participants having considered the submitted information of the OSJD member countries decided to make it available on the external portal of the OSJD Web-site.

 During consideration of progress of work of the OSJD/ERA Contact Group on the analysis of interaction of 1520 mm and 1435 mm railway systems, it was pointed out that in the period of 2007 – 2015, the Contact Group developed and finalized the following documents:

- Document No. 1. Subsystem: Infrastructure, Rail Track and Engineer Structures,

- Document No. 2 Energy Supply,

- Document No. 3. Signaling and Interlocking,

- Document No. 5. Passenger Coaches,

- Document No. 6. Locomotives and Motor Multiple Units,

- Document No. 7. Operation;

- Document “The Subsystem Specification Analysis: Availability for Disabled and Mobility Challenged” is currently under development.

 Developed documents No.1, 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7 are made available on the OSJD Web-site. The document “The Subsystem Specification Analysis: Availability for Disabled and Mobility Challenged” must be made available on the site before the end of 2015.

 Statistical Data on OSJD Railway Transport

 The leading duty holder from the Republic of Uzbekistan summarized the statistical data applicable to OSJD member states regarding Statistics of Railway Transport for the purpose of publishing “The Bulletin of OSJD Railway Transport Statistical Data” for 2014.

The summarized statistical data for 2014 were agreed by the expert meeting on statistical matters and by the Annual meeting of the OSJD Commission on Transport Policy and Development Strategy for the purpose of publishing “The Bulletin of OSJD Railway Transport Statistical Data” for 2014.

 It was noted that in general in 2014 as compared to 2013, the operational length of railways increased by 407 km and amounted to 281216 km, and the total length of electrified lines increased by 878 km and amounted to 126298 km. In 2014, the volume of freight traffic decreased in relation to the level of the year 2013 by 4.69% and amounted to 5473 million tons, the freight turnover decreased by 1.44% and amounted to 5276 billion ton-km. In 2014, 3915 million passengers were carried which was by 0.01% less than that in 2013, the passenger turnover decreased by 0.45% and amounted to 1192 billion passenger-km.

 The participants in the meeting of the Commission were informed on the data received as to the main performance indices of operational work of OSJD railway transport corridors No. 1-13 for 2014 and they decided to publish the main performance indices of operational work of OSJD railway transport corridors No. 1-13 in “The Bulletin of OSJD Railway Transport Statistical Data” for 2014 in the form of a table and a diagram.

 To fully reflect information in “The Bulletin of OSJD Railway Transport Statistical Data” for 2015”, the meeting participants requested the countries that are parties to the railway transport corridors to submit their data strictly in accordance with the established deadlines, format and forms.

 The meeting of the Commission agreed to the experts’ proposal on the update of OSJD Leaflet R 305/1 “Recommendations on the terminology “Statistics on Railway Data”. Concise glossary”.

 Formation and development of automated databases on scientific, technical and economic information (OSJD STEI ADB)

 The working body of the OSJD Commission informed the meeting participants that STEI Centers of the OSJD member countries, in 2015, continued forming and developing their databases on scientific, technical and economic information, which in the aggregate constitute the international distributed database of OSJD.

 The leading duty holder from the Russian Federation conducted an analysis on furnishing and application of the international distributed database on STEI in 2014 based on the data submitted by the STEI Centers of the OSJD member countries. It was noted that the analysis was conducted in view of of the data from the People’s Republic of China which submitted information on firnishinf and application of the national database for 2013 and 2014.

 As of December 30, 2013 according to the Scientific, Technical and Economic Data Centers, the international distributed data bank included 2005539 documents.

In 2013 the international distributed data bank included 35,960 new documents.

The annual replenishment the international distributed data bank in 2014 amounted to 68539 documents. The application analysis of the OSJD ADB shows, in general, a growth of performance indices for furnishing and application of the national datbanks.

 The meeting participants underlined the necessity for annual analysis of furnishing of international distributed data bank of the OSJD, since it would allow for defining the development dynamics of information activity in the OSJD member countries as well as the level of application of the scientific and technical information resource by experts.

 The leading duty holder from the Lithuanian Republic prepared the consolidated bibliographical listing on the subject of “Improvement of Transportation and Development of OSJD Railway Transport Corridors”, formed based on the data submitted by the STEI Centers.

The prepared consolidated bibliographical listing was presented at the expert meeting held in the Republic of Moldova in April 2015. The participants in the expert meeting highly and positively valued the joint activity of the STEI Centers of the OSJD member countries.

 The subject was agreed for the following common bibliography “Logistics and marketing in the field of freight traffic”. Work on the compilation of the common bibliography was headed by the Scientific Technical Information and Analysis Center of the “National Company “Kazakhstan Temir Zholy” JSC ‘NC “KTZ” from the Republic of Kazakhstan.

 It was decided that it was necessary to revise, in future, the List of foreign transport-related journals being processed by the STEI Centers, according to developments occurring in the subscription volumes.

 The meeting participants were informed that as of the current situation, most of the countries that are parties to the subject on the practical implementation of access to the information resources of the STEI Centers via Internet, including the use of Single Retrieval System of the OSJD, dispose automated data banks. However, in accordance with the security policy pursued by the national railway companies, most of the national data banks function within the boundaries of corporative computer networks. This fact does not allow for applying in practice opportunities offered by the developed Single Retrieval System for scientific and technical information of the OSJD. In this respect, it is advisable to place the single retrieval module in the same hardware as that of the OSJD site.

 The Commission meeting approved the experts’ proposal on temporary suspension of consideration of the said issue until the national railway companies take the decision on the possibility to publish the databases of the STEI Centers in the Internet.

 During consideration of the progress of work on management and development of the site of the STEI Centers on the OSJD Web-site, based on the data submitted, the OSJD member countries showed their keen interest in making available information on their STEI units on the site.

The Commission meeting approved the following proposals made by experts:

- update of the data of STEI Centers in the Russian and English languages;

- revision of OSJD Leaflet O+R 905-4 in 2016;

- update of OSJD Leaflet O 905-1 and Annex 1 “The List of national transport-related journals…” to this Leaflet in 2016.

 Based on the combined data on the STEI Centers, the leading duty holder from the Russian Federation submitted to OSJD Committee the updated electronic version of the 12^th edition of the Address Book of the STEI Centers of the OSJD member countries, the electronic version of which was made available on the OSJD Web-site, section “Documents and Developments” in the format allowing it to download and further duplicate individually.

 Cooperation on development of railway transport corridors

 On 18-19 June 2015, the DG MOVE and OSJD organized in Brussels a joint seminar on interaction between the OSJD railway transport corridors and the EU rail freight corridors. The Commission meeting supported the proposal to continue cooperation between the OSJD and DG MOVE in the field of interaction between railway transport corridors, as well as taking into account the proposals voiced at the joint seminar.

 The Commission meeting requested the OSJD member countries concerned to prepare proposals on matters relating to the inclusion of new lines in the existing railway transport corridors of the OSJD for consideration at the following regular meeting of experts in 2016, including the matter concerning the regulation of the said procedures.

Passenger Traffic

The meeting of railways of group II to draft and coordinate the 2016-2017 timetables for passenger trains, passenger trains formation diagrams and allocation of coaches for such trains in international traffic was held in Vladivostok (Russia) on 14-18 September 2015. It was attended by the representatives of the OSJD member states from: Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Republic of Kazakhstan, People’s Republic of China, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Mongolia, Russian Federation and OSJD Committee.

The meeting discussed the reports made by the VZD, KZH, KZD, ZC, “UBZD” JSC and “RZD” JSC on trains and direct coaches operating in international traffic, drafted and agreed the timetables for passenger trains, passenger trains formation diagrams and allocation of coaches for such trains in international traffic scheduled for 2016-2017, considered the proposals and matters relating to the movement of international passenger trains, agreed the date, venue and draft agenda for the next regular meeting of railways of group II to draft and coordinate the 2016-2017 timetables for passenger trains in international traffic scheduled for 2017-2018.

Having considered the proposals made by the railways the meeting participants agreed as follows:

- VZD, KZH, ZC and UBZD agreed on the proposal made by “RZD” JSC on the implementation of a new timetable for international passenger trains with effect from the second Sunday of the 2016 December;

- VZD and KZD agreed on the operation of trains MR1/Т8702/Z6 and Z5/Т8701/МR2 twice a week;

- VZD and KZD took a decision on the reservation of seats for the trains running backwards by means of their agencies assigned by Hanoi Railway Passenger Transport Company (form the Vietnamese side) and respective railways (from the Chinese side);

- VZD and KZD agreed on the ticket sales for passengers wishing to travel to the third countries by transit via Beijing (KZD), which is implemented in the manner prescribed by the Protocol of negotiations signed in Beijing on 27 December 2001 between VZD and KZD;

- KZD and VZD will additionally study the issue on restoration of coaches to be operating in Kunming – Hanoi traffic (VZD);

- KZD and ZC took a decision that the trailing Beijing – Pyongyang coaches would operate year-round 4 times a week, including twice by ZC coaches and twice by KZD coaches;

- KZD and ZC decided that Dandong – Pyongyang through coaches would operate year-round, with 3 KZD coaches from Dandong and 3 ZC coaches from Pyongyang departing every other day; the KZD train includes one KZD diesel coach;

- specialists of the Shenyang railway and ZC, as a result of discussion, decided to continue their work to improve the possible variant of operation of luggage coaches in Pyongyang – Dandong traffic;

- at the ZC meeting, it was proposed to consider, in light of an increase in the KZD passenger flow, the possibility of inclusion of one additional coach in the Pyongyang – Dandong train set as from 1 April to 31 October 2016;

- “RZD” JSC and ZC took a decision to preserve the through coaches composed by “FPK” JSC in Moscow – Tumangang traffic, those composed by ZC in Pyongyang – Moscow and Pyongyang – Khabarovsk traffic; in case of an increase in passenger flow from DPRK to the Russian Federation and backwards, the parties confirmed the possibility of inclusion of additional through coaches of ZC and  “FPK” JSC in Khabarovsk – Tumangang and Tumangang – Khabarovsk traffic in the operation days of through coaches of Pyongyang – Moscow, Pyongyang – Khabarovsk, Tumangang – Moscow traffic of trains No.651/652 in accordance with MPT;

- the meeting participants considered matters on fulfillment of the schedule of passenger trains in international traffic and discussed joint measures on their scheduled run;

- “RZD” JSC informed the meeting participants on the shutdown of low active luggage compartments in the territory of the Russian Federation;

- in light of the beginning of travel document sales within 60 days prior to departure, “RZD” JSC requested the meeting participants to timely inform the railways on changes in the timetables of passenger trains in international traffic;

- “RZD” JSC and “UBZD” JSC took a decision to continue operation of the following trains and coaches:

• train No. 5/6 Ulan-Bator – Moscow composed by “UBZD” JSC and train No. 6/5 Moscow – Ulan-Bator composed by “FPK” JSC:
• in the summer season, to be composed by “FPK” JSC once a week with departing from Moscow on the fourth days of the week, with arriving and departing from Ulan Bator on the second days of the week; composed by “UBZD” JSC once a week, with departing from Ulan Bator on the fifth days of the week and arriving in Moscow on the second days of the week, with departing from Moscow on the third days of the week,
• in the winter season, to be composed by “FPK” JSC, once a fortnight, with departing from Moscow on the fourth days of the week, with arriving and departing from Ulan Bator on the second days of the week; composed by “UBZD” JSC once a fortnight, with departing from Ulan Bator on the fifth days of the week and arriving in Moscow on the second days of the week, with departing from Moscow on the third days of the week,
• through coaches Irkutsk – Ulan Bator composed by “FPK” JSC and “UBZD” JSC, year-round every other day Irkutsk – Naushki – Ulan Bator trains No. 362/364/264-263/363/361,
• luggage cars of the “Transcargo” transport company in Moscow – Zamyn-Uud train No. 6/5 of Moscow – Ulan Bator traffic and No.362/364/264-263/363/361 of Irkutsk – Naushki – Ulan Bator traffic with coupling by Ulan Bator station with of Ulan Bator – Hohhot train No. 33/34 or Ulan Bator – Erlian train No. 22/21 to the Zamyn-Uud station;

- in accordance with the proposal of “RZD” JSC on the speed up of Moscow–Beijing train No. 20/19, the KZD informed that it was necessary to provide additional technical documentation;

- “RZD” JSC requested KZD to consider the possibility of departure time transfer for Grodekovo – Suifenhe train No. 401 composed by KZD, with departure time from the Grodekovo station at 11.40 (Moscow time);

- “UBZD” JSC requested “RZD” JSC to consider the possibility of stopping time reduction at the Naushki station for Ulan Bator – Irkutsk train No. 263/363/361, however “RZD” JSC informed that those through coaches were operating in Irkutsk – Naushki regular train set No. 362/361 and the change of its timetable was not feasible at the moment;

- “UBZD” JSC requested “RZD” JSC to consider the possibility of organisation of a day-off train in Irkutsk – Ulan Bator traffic along the free track of Moscow – Ulan Bator train No. 6/5; “FPK” JSC confirmed that it was possible to serve the train;

- representatives from KZH informed on the forthcoming “ЕХРО-2017” International exhibition to be held in Astana in 2017 and, accordingly, they suggested that the following rail services should be organized from January 2017:

• Astana – Urumqi train composed of “Tulpar-Talgo” LLP coaches by KZH through the Altyn Kol – Khorgos railway section;
• Almaty – Urimqi train No.13/14 composed by KZH and Urumqi – Almaty train composed by KZD through the Altyn Kol – Khorgos railway section.

The KZH also informed on its readiness to change in 2016 the route of the Astana – Almaty – Urumqi passenger train composed by KZH through the Altyn Kol – Khorgos border control points. The KZD supported the operation of international passenger trains through Altyn Kol and Khorgos stations. At present the KZD is carrying out coordination work with the PRC border control agencies. Upon agreement with the PRC competent agencies, the KZD would propose, as the first stage, organising the service of the Urumqi – Almaty passenger train composed by KZD through the Altyn Kol and Khorgos stations, taking it from the Alashankou – Dostyk section.

Following the proposal made by KZH on operation of the Astana – Urumqi passenger train composed of coaches equipped with automatic gauge changeover systems through the Altyn Kol and Khorgos stations as from 1 January 2017, the KZD requested the KZH to provide as soon as practicable the technical characteristics required for the feasibility study of train operation in the KZD network. If necessary, bilateral meetings of experts would be held.

KZH and KZD decided on the given issue as follows:

- for studies by KZD experts of the feasibility of operation on the Chinese railways of a train composed of “Tulpar-Talgo” LLP coaches, the KZH would provide the technical characteristics of rolling stock and, if necessary, additional meetings of experts would be held;

- the final decision on the technical feasibility of operation of the Astana – Urumqi train composed of “Tulpar-Talgo” LLP coaches would be adopted when all the technical issues were settled;

- Upon agreement with the PRC border control agencies, the change of operation route would be additionally considered for the existing Urumqi – Almaty (KZD) and Almaty – Astana – Urumqi (KZH) trains.

As scheduled, next regular meeting will be due to take place in the People’s Republic of China in September 2016.

The expert meeting of railways on the topic of “Seat reservation systems, reference-information service for passengers, service rendering and settlement procedure for such services” was held in the city of Grodno (Republic of Belarus) on 22 – 25 September 2015 with the participation of representatives from the following railways: BC, “MAV” CJSC, “LG” JSC, “RZD” JSC, “CFR” JSC, UZ, “CD” JSC and OSJD Committee.

The meeting agenda included the following items:

- development of electronic systems in terms of the improvement of passenger service, rendering reference-information service and improvement of control technology for passenger traffic;

- feasibility of reference-information exchange between the reservation systems of “RZD” JSC – CD, PKP and MAV;

- introduction of changes in the text of Leaflet O 171 “Instructions on the compilation of reservation lists”;

- introduction of changes in the reservation systems in accordance with updates of OSJD/UIC leaflets 918-0, 918-1, 918-2;

- proposals by railways on draft Work Plan of the OSJD Commission on passenger traffic for 2016.

Belarusian Railway

To increase the attractiveness of international passenger traffic across the Polish-Belarus state border according to agreement between the “Belarusian Railway” company and LLC “Regional Transportation”, the list of routes was expanded as from 15.07.2015 with fixed rates to be applied for a trip. The routes were added as follows: Grodno – Belostok, Grodno – Malkinia, Grodno – Elk, Grodno – Sokulka.

In view of calls made by individuals, at present the reservation system software is being updated in order to provide the possibility of service fee collection at the passenger’s wish when ticket is issued at the booking office window.

To expand access to rail transport services, work has been carried out on the creation of an agency network for ticket sales.

In January – August 2015, the ticket sale system of the Belarusian Railway issued 941948 travel documents through its Internet site, which is 10% of the travel documents issued by the Belarusian Railway (9480307), out of which 88.2% were issued with electronic registration (830852).

This year it has been envisaged to provide a possibility for passengers to return their travel documents purchased by means of electronic resources on their own and to their account cards.

To simplify payments by bank cards in the ticket sale system via Internet, in 2015 “One Click” service was introduced, allowing for reducing time for a payment to be made and indicating account details automatically.

To provide information distribution for passengers, in 2016-2017 it is planned to establish around 100 information desks at the stations of the Railway of Belarus. As an information source, a single server solution will be used, which is being updated within the scope of the “Timetable” automatic system for the corporative site of the Railway of Belarus (work is to commence in the fourth quarter of 2015)

Lithuanian Railways

To extend the range of services rendered to passengers in view of the introduction of new schedules for passenger trains, it has been planned to implement the electronic registration for a group of Vilnius – Moscow coaches running in Kaliningrad – Moscow train 30/29.

“Russian Railways” JSC

“VNIIZhT” JSC made a presentation on the procedure for issuing travel documents when:

- traveling by double-deck coach;

- traveling in multimodal traffic;

- transporting passengers with children in a specified zone;

- transporting animals in the assigned seats,

- using the Web-resource of the “RZD” JSC on electronic road maps.

The “FPK” JSC presented a new rail product i.e. Moscow –Warsaw / Budapest / Bar / Sofia / Varna / Burgas train in the schedule of passenger trains in international traffic for 2015 / 2016. The train set will include BC Minsk – Warsaw, Minsk – Belgrade, Minsk – Bar and Minsk – Varna coaches.

Payments for the carriage of passengers are made under the rules for accounting in respect of SCIC-EWT. Settlement of accounts between the Carriers shall be regulated by the Rules for accounting in international passenger traffic (UIC leaflet No.301). The cost of the ticket portion of the travel document shall be distributed between the partakers of the transport process in proportion to tariff kilometers of the route. The cost of the seat portion of the travel document is related to Carrier who is a coach owner.

On this issue, the MAV-START Company informed that the ZS reservation system would introduce seats in coaches/trains departing from the ZPCG stations and the MAV-START reservation system would introduce seats in coaches/trains departing from the BDZ stations.

The “FPK” JSC, BC, MAV-START agreed to store the norm seats as follows:

for “FPK” JSC coaches:

- in the direction of Russia – Poland, Hungary, Bulgaria and Montenegro, they shall be stored in the “Express” automated control system of the “RZD” JSC;

- in the direction of Poland – Russia, they shall be stored in the PKP reservation system;

- in the direction of Hungary, Bulgaria – Russia, they shall be stored in the MAV-START reservation system;

- in the direction of Montenegro – Russia, they shall be stored in the ZS reservation system;

• for BC coaches:

- in the direction of Belarus – Poland, Serbia, Bulgaria and Montenegro, they shall be stored in the “Express” automated control system of the Railway of Belarus,

- in the direction of Poland – Belarus, they shall be stored in the PKP reservation system,

- in the direction of Montenegro, Serbia – Belarus, they shall be stored in the ZS reservation system;

- in the direction of Bulgaria – Belarus, they shall be stored in the MAV-START reservation system.

The parties underlined that, where necessary, they could exchange norm seats as agreed.

Travel document sale shall be open in the reservation systems not earlier than 60 days before train departure, and it is implemented as the train goes until the arrival at the destination station of the route of coaches. Tickets shall not be issued aboard the train by manual technology.

The parties discussed the possibility of issuing travel documents, using the OSJD and FIP privilege and single tickets.

Ukrzaliznytsia

As from 2015, the official site of Ukrzaliznytsia www.uz.gov.ua

 has been adapted for individuals with severe ocular damage and travel document issue widget that is available on the first page of the site has also been adapted.

Issuance of discount travel documents has been introduced in ticket office windows and via Internet for students and pupils of vocational-technical schools by means of interaction with the electronic database of the Ministry of Education.

Ticket issue technology through electronic service lines is getting spread due to formation of the agency network. Any company that wishes to be connected to the UZ ticket sale system must provide interaction of its Internet system with the UZ reservation system. The contract of agency and technical specifications are made available for connection on the official site of Ukrzaliznytsia, being equal to all. Within eight months of 2015, about 8 million travel documents were issued through self-service, and 5.8 million tickets were issued totally in 2014.

Electronic issue of travel documents has been made for all domestic trains. Passengers travel without visiting ticket office windows, and conductors (stewards) execute control of electronic travel documents by reading the QR-code with a mobile ticket control terminal.

The UZ informed on the temporary shutdown of ticket issue in ticket office windows of electronic travel documents for domestic trains of Ukraine.

“VNIIZhT” JSC made a presentation on the interaction with national reservation systems of the Western European countries in respect of exchange of reference information and delivery of reference information on conditional running query in accordance with Leaflet 918-1.

“FPK” JSC delivered a presentation on the transmission of reference information to the “MERITS” database. It was noted that from December 2014 the transfer of information had been performed from the “Express-3” system to the “MERITS” database within the software being developed for the interaction of the “Express-3” automated control system and MERITS, as the first stage:

- information on “FPK” JSC trains running in domestic traffic in the territory of the Russian Federation,

- information on trains running in international traffic with the CIS countries and Baltic states,

- information on “FPK” JSC trains in traffic of Moscow – Paris – Moscow, Moscow – Nice – Moscow, Moscow – Prague – Moscow, Moscow – Warsaw – Moscow “Polonez”, Moscow – Helsinki – Moscow “Leo Tolstoy”.

At the second stage, in the fourth quarter of 2015, it is planned to develop a software programme for receiving information on long-distance trains of the European countries from the “MERITS” system to use it further in the ticket offices.

The BC requested the “FPK” JSC to consider the possibility of introduction of information on trains composed by BC into the “MERITS” system, using the developed software programme.

The Lithuanian Railways delivered information on the structure of Leaflet 0-171 and procedure for the submission of Reservation lists on the UIC Web-site. The meeting requested OSJD Committee to consider the possibility of making the Reservation lists available on the OSJD site.

Representatives from MAV requested UZ to consider the possibility of ticket issuing in MAV ticket offices for traveling by Kiev – Budapest train on one blank form (ticket + seat). The cost calculation, herewith, is made in accordance with the “East – West” tariff.

The “RZD” JSC requested the railways being Parties to the Agreement on MPT to consider the possibility of ticket issuing under the MPT on a single blank form of travel document (ticket + seat).

OSJD Committee - winner of the Ill-rd International Competition 'University Book - 2015'

On September 3, 2015 the VDNH Exhibition Center in Moscow hosted the International Book Fair and Exhibition within the framework of which an awarding ceremony for the winners of the III-rd International Competition of publications for schools, 'University Book - 2015' was held.

Within the direction of 'Engineering and Technology of Land Transport' the OSJD Committee was awarded the First-degree Diplomas and a Medal in the categories:

- 'The Best Polygraphic Edition' - for the publication of the technical-and-economic information journal "OSJD Bulletin";

- 'The Best Foreign Publications on Railway Transport' - for the coverage of topical issues of railway transport improvement and development.

Signaling, Interlocking and Communications Networks

The expert meeting of the OSJD Commission on Infrastructure and Rolling Stock on the topic "Signaling, interlocking and communications network" was held at the OSJD Committee on 25-27 August 2015, with the participation of representatives from all six OSJD railways engaged in the topic: BC, NC "KTZ" JSC, LG, PKP JSC, RZD JSC, UZ and from UIC, as well as the OSJD Committee.

The meeting participants considered the following draft documents:

- Leaflet "Operational and technical requirements for traffic control systems" based on current leaflets R820 "Operational and technical requirements for centralized traffic control systems" and leaflet R846 "Recommendations on the advanced technology for maintenance of centralized traffic control systems" (the main performer: RZD JSC);

- Leaflets "Operational and technical requirements for protection of railway automatic systems devices and telemechanics against switching and atmospheric overvoltage, by their electromagnetic compatibility, based on OSJD leaflets R850 "Operational and technical requirements for protection of railway automatic devices against switching and atmospheric overvoltage", R809 "Electromagnetic compatibility of microelectronic signaling and interlocking devices", R812 "Emission of harmonic components of voltage oscillation and flicker in signaling and interlocking devices" and UIC leaflet 750 "Railway telecommunications links, expected improvements for telecommunications applied during operation" (Version 3 dated February 2006) (main performer is BC);

- Leaflet " Operational and technical requirements for track circuits used in control devices and train movement safety systems" based on current leaflets R810 "Operational and technical requirements for track circuits of sonic frequency" and R848 "Recommendations on passing traction current via railway tracks equipped with track circuits, and protection of signaling and interlocking devices against the influence of electric-traction network of the electrified railways" (main

performer is NC "KTZ" JSC);

- Work Plan-2016 on the topic "Signaling, interlocking and communications networks". Having listened to and discussed the information material from the main performers, the expert meeting proposed that the said leaflets should be submitted for approval at the annual meeting of OSJD Commission on Infrastructure and Rolling Stock, therefore the leaflets on the basis of which the said leaflets were developed should be cancelled.

At the invitation of Director of UIC Railway System Department Mr. Marc Antoni, next meeting of OSJD experts on the topic "Signaling, interlocking and communications networks" was scheduled for June 2016, within the framework of the meeting of UIC experts on CCS and communications at UIC HQ (Paris, France), with technical tours to be organised to the railway locations of the SNCF, OSJD affiliated enterprise.

The meeting participants also listened to the presentation made by Director of UIC Railway System Department Mr. Marc Antoni on activities in the field of railway automatics, telemechanics and communications, carried out within the UIC. The meeting participants were invited to take part in the UIC project activity on the railway automatics and telemechanics in 2016. Mr. Marc Antoni informed the meeting participants on the forthcoming UIC Global Railway Conference on the matters of asset management. The Conference is due at UIC HQ in Paris on 12-13 October 2015, and he invited the meeting participants to take part in the said Conference.

Kick-off meeting of Joint OSJD/UIC Group to develop International Railway Standards (IRS)

In accordance with the decisions taken by meeting XXX of the Conference of General Directors (Authorised Representatives) of OSJD Railways (20-24 April 2015, Czech Republic, Prague) and 86^th UIC General Assembly (6 July 2015, Japan, Tokyo), on 21-23 July 2015, in Paris UIC Headquarters, the kick-off meeting of Joint OSJD/UIC group (JG) on the development of International Railway Standards (IRS) based on the joint OSJD/UIC leaflets was held.

The meeting was attended by representatives from BC, "NC "KTZ" JSC, "RZD" JSC, OSJD Committee and UIC.

The agenda of the expert meeting included the following items:

- decision taken by meeting XXX of the Conference of General Directors on the creation of the Joint OSJD/UIC Group to analyze the joint OSJD/UIC leaflets and convert them into IRS within the OSJD Commission on Infrastructure and Rolling Stock;

- consideration of the first draft of the Terms of Reference (Regalement) for the OSJD/UIC JG on the development of IRS and discussion of the JG Work Plan for 2015-2016;

- finalization of the first version of draft International Railway Standard (IRS) 1501;

- discussion of draft Programme for the development of IRS.

In the course of the meeting, a list of five joint OSJD/UIC leaflets to be converted into IRS was defined:

535/535-2 "Standardisation and positioning on wagons of steps, end platforms, gangways, handrails, tow hooks, automatic coupler (AC), automatic draw-on coupling and brake valve controls on the UIC member RUs and OSJD member RUs"

524/508-3 "Passenger coaches - General requirements for running gear with dual gauge wheelsets for railways with 1435-mm and 1520-mm gauges"

516/430-4 "Wagons. Operation between 1435-mm gauge and 1520-mm gauge networks. Technical provisions and approval conditions"

500/505-6 "General rules for interoperable rolling stock gauges (without unloading freight or disembarking passengers) in cross-border traffic between UIC and OSJD RUs"

502-3/502 series "Special consignments -Provisions concerning the preparation and con­veyance of special consignments".

The participants agreed on the need to transpose all leaflets of the 502-x family, regulating the conditions of transport of exceptional goods into one single IRS.

As of today the 516 and 502 leaflets exist only in Russian. UIC HQ and the OSJD committee will equally share the tasks of translating these two leaflets into English for future work.

The JG decided and agreed on the development phases of the IRS based on the cur­rent UIC/OSJD joint leaflets, as well as a provisional time frame. The exact dates will be defined by the JG members for each IRS accordingly.

The participants have received the first draft version of the IRS 1501 "Rolling Stock Gauge". The draft IRS 1501 was officially presented and submitted to the 83rd UIC General Assembly (December 2013); this is nowadays an essential document which encompasses the world's best practice in the field of standard-isation on 1435-1520 railway systems and represents the joint requirements established by IRS.

Choosing the IRS 1501 "Rolling Stock Gauge" is a matter of principle for railway traffic to be ensured within the Euro-Asian context which has considerable importance in the development of future IRS. The meeting participants took a decision concerning the follow up and the scheduling of the work on IRS 1501 "Rolling Stock Gauge" development and to pursue the work on the document on the basis of the first draft of the IRS 1501, work to be done by RZD as the main performer.

Meeting of representatives of the Parties to MTT

On 30 June - 3 July 2015, in the city of Yurmala (Republic of Latvia), the XXVI meeting of representatives of the Parties to the Agreement on International Railway Transit Tariff (MTT) was held to update the MTT Agreement and the MTT itself. The meeting was attended by representatives from the OSJD railways

as follows: GR, KZH, LDZ, LG, CFM, RZD JSC, TDZ, UTI, UZ and CD; as well as CTM LLC - an OSJD affiliated enterprise, and the OSJD Committee.

Welcome speeches addressed to the meeting participants were made by CEO of LDZ Cargo LLC Guntis Machs and Director on international relations of LDZ Regina Svirska. They noted the relevance of work on the improvement of the MTT Agreement and update of the MTT to ensure competitiveness of railway freight transit traffic. They also briefly informed the participants on activities and prospects of development of the Latvian Railway.

The meeting agenda included the following items:

- Execution of decisions of the XXV Meeting of representatives of the Contracting Parties to the MTT Agreement (17-20 June 2014, city of Vitebsk, Republic of Belarus);

- Consideration of proposals of the Parties to the MTT Agreement on improvement of the MTT Agreement (changes and supplements to be made);

- Consideration of proposals of the Parties to the MTT Agreement on update of the MTT, the MTT:

1) from 1 September 2014, under the numbers of 24D and 132;

2) from 1 January 2015, under the number of 133.

In accordance with paragraph 2.4 of Article 2 of the MTT Agreement, OSJD Committee, as MTT Depository, published the updated texts of the MTT Agreement as of 1 January 2015 and sent them in digital format and one certified copy each to all the Parties to the MTT Agreement, OSJD Observers and Affiliated Enterprises concerned.

The meeting agreed to include work to be carried out on the further improvement of the MTT Agreement and update of the MTT in the Work Plan-2016 of the OSJD Commission on Freight Traffic.

The Head of the CD Cargo delegation informed the participants that the following meeting of representatives of the Parties to the MTT Agreement would be organized in the Czech Republic in June 2016.

The meeting participants were informed on the notification made by NC "KTZ" JSC on the tariff rates for charges and surcharges calculated according to the MTT and the ETT, established within the KZH from 1 January to 31 December 2015.

The meeting participants were also informed that decision was made to create OSJD freight Web-portal that would not substitute for the information portal of the OSJD Web-site. The creation of a modern interactive Web-portal of the OSJD with visualization tools, focused on the support of business of railway companies, envisages the possibility to make available the current updated documents (e.g. ETT, MTT and GNG) and list of freight stations of OSJD railways on the interactive map with a search tool to specify potential railway routes between them and additional information required (e.g. station code); with various databases having search and export tools for OSJD documents of different formats, first and foremost, the SMGS with Annexes in a structured form, with a search tool; PGV and other documents managed by OSJD Commission on Freight Traffic (the list is not exhaustive). A link to jump to the freight Web-portal is available on the information portal of the OSJD Web-site.

Work was commenced on the development of a layout, on visualization and upload of databases and documents, which would be carried out in cooperation with OSJD Affiliated Enterprise CTM LLC with experience of many years in that field and supplying its software products to over 11000 organisations among which such major firms are as Gazprom JSC, Lukoil JSC, RZD JSC, TransContainer PJSC, DB Schenker and other.

The representative of OSJD affiliated enterprise CTM LLC familiarized the meet­ing participants with the layout of the freight Web-portal of the OSJD, which involves an electronic software reference-information system that allows for searching data by any attribute, including the name of a railway or a station, station code, freight operations performed at stations etc.

Organisation of large-container traffic between Europe and Asia

On 30 June-3 July 2015, at the OSJD Committee, an expert meeting of the OSJD Commission on Freight Traffic was held on the topic "Organisation of large-container traffic between Europe and Asia", which was attended by representatives from OSJD Railways as follows: AZD CJSC, GR, KZH, ZC, LG, UBZD, RZD JSC, CFR-Marfa, ZSSK Cargo, TDZ, UTI, UZ, EVR, OSJD affiliated enterprises - Rail Cargo Hungaria CJSC and KORAIL, as well as the OSJD Committee.

The meeting considered the result of work carried out as follows:

- organisation of large-container and piggy-back traffic between Europe and Asia, including organisation of container block trains on OSJD railways;

- subtopic: "Update of the database on container trains and piggy-back traffic for international services";

- subtopic: Shaping and analysing the database of volume indices for large-container traffic on OSJD railways";

- organisation of freight traffic under the common CIM/SMGS consignment note for international services, including through railway-ferry services;

- subtopic: Update of Leaflet R 421 "Rules for the use of general-purpose large-containers for international railway services";

- cooperation with UNESCAP on organisation of large-container traffic between Europe and Asia;

- drafting the Work Plan-2016 on the topic:

«Organisation of large-container traffic between Europe and Asia».

The meeting participants listened to information and reports delivered by representatives from the railways and affiliated enterprises as to ongoing work on organisation of large-container traffic between Europe and Asia, including organisation of container block trains on OSJD railways.

The main performer KZH informed the meeting participants on the work carried out on the subtopic "Update of the database of container trains and piggy-back traffic for international services". The KZH, as the main performer for this subtopic, put forward a proposal to modify the reporting form for container trains and piggy-back traffic, namely, to supplement additional information on the entire journey, time of delivery, goods being carried, responsible operators and actual number of trains, but it was not supported.

The meeting participants suggested that the railways should timely submit their updated information on container trains and piggy-back traffic for international services for consideration by the annual meeting of OSJD Commission on Freight Traffic to agree and publish in the "OSJD Bulletin" journal and on the OSJD Web-site.

The main performer UZ informed the participants on the work carried out on subtopic "Shaping and analyzing the database of volume indices for large-container traffic on OSJD railways".

The meeting agreed on the submission by the main performer of information with graphic representation of data on the volume indices for large-container traffic and prepared a form of the table to present the statistics data on the volumes of traffic under the CIM/SMGS consignment note (for 2015 as compared to 2014).

The main performer RZD JSC did not receive a proposal on organisation of container traffic under the CIM/SMGS consignment note.

The RZD JSC informed the meeting on the negotiations conducted between the RZD-Logistics company and the Chinese consignor on freight container traffic under the CIM/SMGS consignment note from Zhengzhou to Hamburg in transit on the territory of Mongolia, Russian Federation, Republic of Belarus and Republic of Poland.

Once the RZD JSC has received a positive response from the Chinese consignor, it will inform the OSJD Committee and the railways involved in this traffic. The railways will assign their responsible coordinators on this project and provide their contact information to the main performer and OSJD Committee.

The meeting participants requested OSJD Committee to send a request to the KZD to consider the issue of transition from the test mode of application of the CIM/SMGS consignment note to the full accession to Annex 6 "CIM/SMGS Consignment Note Manual" to SMGS.

The meeting considered and agreed the modifications in Leaflet R 421 "Rules for the use of general-purpose large-containers for international railway services".

The main performer KZH presented information on the progress of work as to Projects "Planning and organisation of container trains in the Northern corridor of the Trans-Asian railway" and "Operationalization of Eurasian routes with the focus on the landlocked countries of Asia and the Caucasian region" (stage III).

Container traffic was organised on all the specified routes of the Northern corridor of the Trans-Asian railway, except for transportation from Busan port (Republic of Korea) to Europe due to the lack of connection with the RZD network. According to UBZD, in 2014 and as of April 2015, 18 transit container trains were organised in traffic Asia - Europe - Asia, including:

- in February 2014, from Germany to PRC on the route Hamburg - Brest - Naushki -Ulan Bator - Zamyn Uud - Erlian - Zheng-zhou (1 train);

- in May - November 2014, from PRC to Poland on the route Chengdu - Erlian -Zamyn Uud - Suhe Bator - Naushki - Brest -Lodz (6 trains);

- in January - April 2015, from PRC to Germany on the route Zhengzhou - Erlian -Zamyn Uud - Suhe Bator - Naushki - Brest -Hamburg (9 trains) and from Germany to PRC on the route Hamburg - Brest - Naushki -Ulan Bator - Zamyn Uud - Erlian - Zheng-zhou (2 trains).

Within 2014 and 5 months of 2015, 2476 container trains were organised on the territory of Kazakhstan, including those organised in traffic Europe - Asia - Europe. Besides, a pilot container train was organised on the route China - Kazakhstan - Russia - Georgia.

The KZH informed the participants on the planned launch of container trains on the route China - Kazakhstan - Azerbaijan and China -Kazakhstan - Azerbaijan - Georgia - Turkey with the participation of railway and maritime transport.

The OSJD Committee informed on the participation in the meeting of the ad hoc working group on facilitation of international railway traffic (12-13 March 2015, Bangkok city), and that the UNESCAP was interested in cooperation expansion and implementation of the joint OSJD/ UNESCAP projects.

In view of the growing interest in mutual trade between the countries of Southeastern and Central Asia, Caucauses and Europe, the meeting participants considered it reasonable to continue work in conjunction with the UNESCAP for higher effectiveness of freight traffic between the said regions in order to attract additional volumes of goods on railway transport and provide seamless transportation.

Meeting of the representatives of the Parties to the ETT Agreement concerning improvement of ETT Agreement and ETT updating

Meeting of the representatives of the Parties to the ETT (Uniform Rail Transit Tariff) Agreement devoted to the improvement of the ETT Agreement and the ETT updating was held in the OSJD Committee premises in the period from 5 through 8 May 2015 involving the representatives of the Parties to the ETT Agreement - railways of Azerbaijan, Belarus, Vietnam, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Moldova, Mongolia, Russian Federation, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Ukraine and Estonia, as well as a representative of the OSJD Committee.

The agenda included the following issues:

- information regarding the decisions made by the XXX-th meeting of the Conference of General Directors (Authorised Representatives) of OSJD railways (20-24 April 2015, Prague, Czech Republic);

- progress in implementation of the decisions, taken by the meeting of the representatives of the Parties to the ETT Agreement (13-16 May 2014, Batumi, Georgia);

- consideration of proposals put by the Parties to the ETT Agreement in regard to the ETT Agreement improvement (modifications and amendments);

- consideration of proposals put by the Parties to the ETT Tariff in regard to the ETT Tariff updating, including those relating to the comprehensive amendments and modifications into the SMGS Agreement coming into effect since 1 ^st July 2015 (introduction of modifications and amendments);

- matching of classification in the ETT Tariff with the GNG updated list of goods (Harmonised Commodity Code, version of 2015) according to the proposals of the Parties to the ETT Agreement.

The Chairperson of the OSJD Commission on Freight Traffic informed about the implementation of the decisions stipulated in the Protocol of the meeting of representatives of the Parties to the ETT Agreement which was held on 13-16 May 2014 in the city of Batumi (Georgia). Following the results of the previous meeting, the OSJD Committee, being a ETT Agreement depositary, declared the agreed modifications into the ETT Agreement and ETT Tariff, identified as 9D and 55 respec­tively, to come into effect since October 1, 2014.

In pursuance of clauses 4.4 and 4.5 of the Protocol of the previous meeting as regards the proposals of EVR concerning the goods transport in tank containers, and those of KZH concerning charges for wagon washing and disinfection, the meeting participants considered these proposals and agreed upon corresponding modifications and amendments into the ETT Tariff.

Meeting participants also considered the writing proposals, received from the Parties to the ETT Agreement - the railways of Kazakhstan, Latvia, Russia and Ukraine, regarding the ETT updating, as well as the proposals received from Mongolia and Uzbekistan during the meeting, having accordingly approved the agreed modifications and amendments into the ETT Tariff.

The meeting participants were informed, that according to article 11 of the ETT Agreement, the OSJD Committee being a depositary of the ETT Agreement, published the updated texts of the ETT Agreement and the ETT Tariff as of 1^st January 2015 and sent by one certified copy of them and in electronic form to all the Parties to the ETT Agreement, concerned OSJD observers and affiliated enterprises.

During the meeting the Parties to the ETT Agreement considered the proposals concerning the ETT Agreement improvement, which had been received in advance from the railways of Kazakhstan, Latvia, Russia and Ukraine, as well as the proposals, received during the meeting from the railways of Mongolia and Uzbekistan. Corresponding agreed modifications and amendments into the ETT Agreement were accepted.

The agreed modifications and amendments into the Agreement will come into effect since October 1, 2015 in case no objections are received from the Parties of the ETT Agreement - the railways of Bulgaria and China, which representatives didn't participate in the meeting, till August 5, 2015.

The meeting participants were informed that according to clause 1, article 7 of the ETT Agreement and on the basis of formal notices from AZ, KZH, LDZ and UZ, amendments and modifications were made into the ETT transit distances tables, declared by the OSJD Committee being the depositary of the ETT Agreement in accordance with the prescribed order.

At the meeting the Parties to the ETT Agreement considered the proposals relating to the ETT updating which had been received from the railways of Kazakhstan, Latvia, Russia and Ukraine, as well as the proposals which were received from the railways of Mongolia and Uzbekistan during the meeting. The agreed amendments and modifications were.

The amendments and modifications into the ETT Tariff agreed at the meeting will come into effect as of 1 ^st October 2015 in case no objec­tions are received till 5^th August 2015 from the Parties to the ETT Agreement - the railways of Bulgaria and China which representatives didn't participate in the meeting.

The meeting participants decided that in connection with the comprehensive amendments and modifications into the SMGS Agreement, coming into effect as of 1^st July 2015, the ETT provisions (edition as of 1 ^st January 2015) are to be applied for carriage charges calculation in the period from 1 ^st July 2015 through 30^th September 2015:

- goods in wagons - for wagonload shipments;

- goods in containers - for container shipments;

- goods in Intermodal Transport Units (ITU) (except containers) and motor vehicles - for contrailer shipments.

In connection with the appeals being received from the railway transport customers, the meeting invited the Parties to the ETT Agreement to exchange information concerning the handling operations performed by the carriers as part of the customs inspections of the carried goods, in compliance with clause 3, Section IX "Additional charges and other defrayals" for the purpose of discussing this matter at the next meeting.

In accordance with the decision of the OSJD Commission on Freight Traffic's meeting on "Improvement and Updating of the Harmonised Commodity Code (GNG)" and "Creation of the List of Freight Stations of the OSJD Railways" (24-27 March 2015, Sochi, Russian Federation), the meeting have agreed upon carriage duties to be calculated for new GNG code 99200000 "Railway wagons, as transport units for carrying the persons (conductors) accompanying the cargo" through 1 ^st October 2015 incompliance with the provisions of ETT para. 38 "Freight rates for the transportation in private freight wagons and in leased wagons of a railway".

The meeting approved the amendments into footnote "b" (б) of the GNG text in the following edition:

"b (б) - Carriage duties are calculate in accordance with para. 31 "Carriage charges for transportation of goods by container shipments" of the ETT Tariff".

It was also agreed to introduce since 1 ^st October 2015 amendments and modifications into the text of footnotes "a" (a) and "b" (б) of GNG in the following edition: - "a (a) - Carriage duties are calculate in accordance with para. 22 "Carriage charges for transportation of goods in wagons which do not belong to the carrier" of Section III "Calculation and collection of carriage duties" of the ETT Tariff";

- "b (б) - Carriage duties are calculate in accordance with para. 16 "Carriage charges for transportation of goods in containers and for transportation of empty containers" of Section III "Calculation and collection of carriage duties" of the ETT Tariff".

The meeting has agreed to include further works into the draft Work Plan of the OSJD Commission on Freight Traffic to be performed in 2016 in order to improve the ETT Agreement and to update the ETT Tariff.

According to the information of the head of delegation of the JSC 'Kazakstan temir Zholy' National Company the next meeting of the representatives of the Parties to the ETT Agreement is to be organised in May 2016 in the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Meeting participants were informed about the notification from the JSC Kazakstan temir Zholy National Company to establish on the KZH network the tariff rates for the additional duties and charges since 1^st January through 31^st December 2015 calculated in accordance with ETT and MTT Tariffs.

Elaboration and implementation of comprehensive measures to facilitate rail traffic and develop OSJD Railway Transport Corridors

 The above headline was the main subject of discussion at the conference of experts, representing the OSJD commission on transport policy and development strategy. The event was held in Chisinau, the Republic of Moldova, from 07 to 10 of April, 2015, attended the delegates from OSJD member countries, such as the Republic of Bulgaria, Hungary, Georgia, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the People's Republic of China, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Republic of Lithuania, the Republic of Moldova, the Russian Federation, Romania, Ukraine, the Republic of Estonia, as well as experts from PLASKE JSC, an affiliated member of OSJD and its Committee.

Mr. Serghey Tomsa, Acting General Director of Railway of Moldova State Company, greeted the participants in his welcoming speech. He highlighted the importance of further deepening of co-operation within the OSJD and elaborated on the functioning of OSJD corridors Nos. 5 and 12 that run through the Republic of Moldova.

The conference's agenda included the following items:

- progress in the implementation of the Comprehensive Plans to Facilitate Rail Traffic and Develop OSJD Railway Transport Corridors Nos. 9, 12, and 13 up to 2020;

- further development of the Action Plan in support of the Memorandums of Co-operation in Technical, Operational and Commercial Development of OSJD Corridors Nos. 1-13, which includes:

• meetings between member countries of OSJD traffic corridors Nos. 12 and 13 on implementation of the Memorandums;
• exploring the possibility of connecting new lines to operating OSJD traffic corridors;
• monitoring compliance of the technical and operational certificates of OSJD rail transport corridors Nos. 1-4.

The Chair of the conference and the leading experts from Moldova and Lithuania informed the conference participants on the progress in implementing the Comprehensive Plans to Facilitate Rail Traffic and Develop OSJD Railway Transport Corridors to 2020.

The experts deemed it appropriate to present the updated data of the Comprehensive Plans for OSJD corridors Nos. 9, 12, 13 to the annual meeting of the OSJD Commission on Transport Policy and Development Strategy (6-9 October 2015, the OSJD Committee) for approval, and to monitor the progress of the Comprehensive Plans to Facilitate Rail Traffic and Develop OSJD Railway Transport Corridors to 2020 in the following succession:

- 2016, OSJD corridors Nos. 1, 2, 3;

- 2017, OSJD corridors Nos. 5, 7, 10;

- 2018, OSJD corridors Nos. 4, 6, 8, 11.

On the sidelines of the conference a meeting was held between the countries participating in OSJD Rail Transport Corridors Nos. 12 and 13, to discuss the implementation of the Memorandums.

The following topics were addressed:

1. Progress in the implementation of the Memorandums of Co-operation in Technical, Operational and Commercial Development of OSJD Corridors.
2. Proposals on the implementation of Memorandums.

The Republic of Lithuania argued that the co-ordination authority should focus on such activities as analysis of the rail infrastructure performance at border crossings, and drafting a general plan for the improvement and development of such infrastructure. It was noted that the key elements of the Comprehensive Plan for the development of the corridors needs to be reviewed and followed to ensure balanced development of the corridors' connection sections.

The Republic of Belarus expressed its opinion that the functions of managing the transport corridors and coordinating approaches to their development should be retained by the OSJD Committee, in particular by the OSJD Commission on Transport Policy and Development Strategy.

A delegate from the Republic of Lithuania delivered a presentation on the proposed setup of a Coordination Authority (CA) for OSJD Rail Transport Corridor No. 13. The presentation suggested a two-phase approach to set up the CA. In phase one, three experts teams would be instituted for the Corridor, which would consist of experts in passenger transport, freight traffic, and infrastructure. The experts would represent the member countries of the Corridor. These teams would explore the current status and make projections for the future of the freight and passenger traffic, and infrastructural development needs. As soon as this effort is complete, the teams would present their proposals for the development of the Corridor. This work should ideally engage interested financial institutions and other key players in the market.

Once the proposals have been agreed and accepted, a decision on the feasibility of the CA would be made. In the course of the discussion, the delegation of the Russian Federation supported the Lithuanian delegation's proposals.

The meeting of experts, upon discussion of the Lithuanian proposal on the setup of a CA for OSJD Corridor No. 13, decided to request OSJD member countries to consider replication of this approach regarding all OSJD corridors.

Meeting participants were informed that the OSJD Committee had received proposals from the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Republic of Moldova on potential addition of new lines to OSJD rail transport corridors.

The Republic of Kazakhstan proposed the following additions:

- the new line Iletsk - Kandyagash - Nikel-tau - Tobol as branch of OSJD rail transport corridor No.2;

- the new Zhetygen - Altynkol line as branch of OSJD rail transport corridor No. 5.

The representative of Kazakhstan also updated the meeting on newly built railway lines and railway lines still under construction in his country.

The Republic of Moldova put forward a proposal, supported by OSJD Corridor No. 12 member countries and Ukraine, to extend OSJD corridor No. 12 through Moldova, from Okniţa station to Valcineţ station, and then through Ukraine to Zhmerynka station, on condition that the existing carrying capacity of the Ukrainian section of the corridor will remain unchanged at the current stage.

The meeting of experts moved that respective amendments be approved with regard to OSJD corridor No. 12 at the annual meeting of the OSJD Commission on Transport Policy and Development Strategy (6-9 October 2015, OSJD Committee).

The Chair of the conference and leading experts from the Russian Federation, the Republic of Kazakhstan and Ukraine informed the conference participants on the ongoing monitoring of technical and operational certificates of OSJD Rail Transport Corridors Nos. 1-4.

The participants in the conference were informed that, following the decision made by a meeting of engineering and IT experts (STEI, 16-18 September, 2014, OSJD Committee), a consolidated bibliography on the topic 'Facilitation of rail traffic and development of OSJD railway transport corridors' had been compiled. The consolidated bibliography had been compiled by the Technical Information Centre of Lithuanian Railways JSC based on materials received from a number of STEI centres working in different countries. The bibliography comprises articles on the topic published over the 2012-2014 period. The bibliography is complete with brief annotations. The meeting of experts noted the consolidated materials and stated that those materials, together with statistical data on freight volumes carried on OSJD corridors, should be used in updating the technical and operational certificates of OSJD corridors and the Comprehensive Plans to Facilitate Rail Traffic and Develop OSJD Railway Transport Corridors through to 2020.

A representative of PLASKE JSC provided meeting participants with information on the14-th International Transport Week events in Odessa 3-5 June 2015 (Ukraine) which would include InterTransport 2015 exhibition and conference, International Freight Forwarders' Day, a UNECE workshop on the Single Window concept, various transport-related conferences and roundtable discussions.

Meeting on coordination of rail freight traffic volumes

On 30 March - 03 April, 2015, Beijing, the capital of the People's Republic of China, hosted the meeting of the representatives of railways and international trade organisations from the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Republic of Kazakhstan, People's Republic of China, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Mongolia, and the Russian Federation to coordinate the volumes of export, import, and transit goods to be carried by rail in 2015, and the measures to provide the agreed volumes.

The subjects reviewed by the meeting are important not only for the participating railways but for the OSJD as a whole, since they have a bearing on the organisation of freight traffic at the international level. This was highlighted by Mr Chen Jiongming, Director of the International Co-operation Department of Chinese Railways, in his welcoming address. He also elaborated on the current efforts aimed at further development of international freight traffic and expressed his hope of continued co-operation to increase the volumes of freight traffic, noting the growth of container and contrailer modes in international traffic.

The meeting's agenda included the following items:

- tally the results achieved in 2014 in terms of volumes of international trade freight;

- co-ordinate and agree the volumes of export, import, and transit freight for 2015 and their distribution by quarters and types of freight for each border crossing;

- develop technical and administrative measures in support of the agreed

freight traffic volumes for 2015; and other subjects.

12 subgroups were set up to address the agenda items.

The delegations from the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the People's Republic of China, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Mongolia and the Russian Federation (hereinafter, the Parties) informed each other on meeting the goals of international trade freight traffic volume, and on administrative and technical measures implemented in support of these goals. In their presentations, the delegates provided the following estimates:

- DPRK-Russia

The volume of freight traffic from Russia to the DPRK in 2014 was 120% of the 2013 volume. The main reason of underperformance in meeting the targets in volumes was failure on the part of consignors to present the freight for carriage from the DPRK to Russia.

- Russia - China

The volume of international trade freight traffic from Russia to China in 2014 was 83% of the 2013 volume. The volumes of international trade freight traffic headed from China to Russia in 2014 stood at 87% of their 2013 values.

- Russia - Mongolia

In 2014, the freight traffic volume from Russia to Mongolia amounted to 94% of its 2013 value. From Mongolia to Russia, the transportation volume in 2014 was 106% on 2013.

- China - Mongolia

Compared to 2013, international trade freight traffic from China to Mongolia was 85.4%, and transportation in the reverse direction, 101.1% in 2014.

- Russia — Mongolia — China

Agreed transportation of international trade freight traffic from Russia and European countries to China via Mongolia in 2014 amounted to 113% of 2013. In the reverse direction, traffic was 144.6% against 2013.

- China — Vietnam

In 2014, China to Vietnam freight traffic volume was 86% of 2013. From Vietnam to China, 41.6% of the 2013 volume was transported in 2014. The volume of freight traffic from Vietnam via China to third countries summed up to 2,400 tonnes in 2014.

- Kazakhstan — China

In 2014, the volume of freight traffic from Kazakhstan to China shank by 32% against 2013. From China to Kazakhstan, 9% less freight was carried in 2014 compared to 2013.

- Russia — Kazakhstan — China

The volume of transportation from Russia via Kazakhstan to China saw a 32% increase in 2014 against the 2013 value. From China to Russia via Kazakhstan, 24% less freight was transported in 2014 than in 2013.

The Parties agreed the volumes of transportation of export, import, and transit freight for 2015, distributing them by quarters, border crossings, and types of freight. For the purpose of consistency in designating freight items during co-ordination of monthly transportation plans, the Parties agreed upon a nomenclature of export, import, and transit freight types.

In reviewing contracts for freight traffic above the volumes agreed for 2015, the possibility of such transportation will be reviewed and determined by the railways in a procedure for reconciliation of their monthly operational plans, and in view of the throughput capacity of border crossings.

The Parties harmonized their administrative and technical measures in support of the 2015 plans for the volumes of transportation of export, import, and transit freight.

The head of the Russian delegation confirmed Russia's preparedness to host, in the February-March of 2016 timeframe, a meeting to agree the volumes of transportation of export, import, and transit freight between the railways, with participation of international trade organisations from Vietnam, Kazakhstan, China, the DPRK, Mongolia, and Russia, and to develop technical and administrative measures to support the agreed freight traffic volumes for 2016.

The Parties also exchanged requests, comments, and suggestions aimed at increasing the volume of international freight traffic and improving the quality of service at border crossings and commercial services supporting the targeted freight traffic volumes.

The meeting approved the addition to the OSJD Commission's Work Plan for freight traffic in 2016 of efforts in the topical area of 'Co-ordination of freight volumes in export, import, and transit transportation by interested railways, with participation of international trade organisations, and measures in support of such volumes.

Abschlussberatung der Ständigen Arbeitsgruppe der OSShD für Kodierung und Informatik

Auf der Abschlussberatung der StAG KI, die vom 18. bis 20. November 2014 im Komitee der OSShD stattfand, wurden die Entwürfe des Arbeitsplans für 2015 und des Arbeitsprogramms der Gruppe für 2016 und die Folgejahre behandelt und abgestimmt sowie die Ergebnisse bei der Erfüllung des Arbeitsplans der StAG KI im Jahr 2014 zu folgenden Themen diskutiert:

- Kodierung und Informatik,

- Papierloses Abfertigungsverfahren der Gütertransporte im internationalen Eisenbahnverkehr,

- Sicherheit der Informationsressourcen und der Informations- und Telekommunikationsinfrastruktur,

- Informationsseitige Begleitung des Güter- und Personenverkehrs - Technische Spezifikationen für die Interoperabilität (TAF TSI und TAP TSI),

- Internetseite der OSShD.

In Hinblick auf die Aktualisierung der gemeinsamen OSShD/UIC-Merkblätter und die Anpassung der UIC-Merkblätter an die Bedingungen der Eisenbahnen der OSShD-Mitgliedsländer wurden behandelt:

- Merkblatt O 428-1 „Internationales Richtpunktverfahren für die Beförderung von Gütern im Wagenladungsverkehr",

- R 910-1 „Empfehlungen zur Form des Wagennachweises und Anleitung zum Ausfüllen bei der Wagenübergabe zwischen den OSShD-Bahnen" - es wurde beschlossen, die Arbeiten bis zur Bestätigung der endgültigen Fassung der Vorschriften für die Benutzung von Güterwagen (PGW) auszusetzen.

Arbeiten zur Vereinheitlichung der Versandnummer im SMGS-Frachtbrief

Die Teilnehmer der Expertenberatung im April 2014 machten sich mit den von der Kommission der OSShD für Transportrecht ausgearbeiteten Unterlagen in Bezug auf die Revision des SMGS vertraut und gelangten zu der Schlussfolgerung, dass:

• gegenwärtig entsprechend den neuen Güterbeförderungsvorschriften, die im Zusammenhang mit der Revision des SMGS erarbeitet werden, die Abfertigung mit einem einheitlichen Frachtbrief in der angegebenen Form vorzunehmen ist.

• in den Erklärungen zum Ausfüllen des Frachtbriefs (Artikel 8 der Vorschriften) darauf hinge­wiesen wird, dass Feld 29 „Sendung Nr." vom Beförderer ohne detaillierte Mengenangabe der Positionen auszufüllen ist.

• im neuen SMGS-Frachtbriefvordruck das Feld „Sendung Nr." abweichend von der vorherigen Fassung des SMGS, in der das Feld in 6 Positionen für die Versandnummer unterteilt war, nicht strukturiert ist.

Ausgehend davon wird für Feld 29 ein strukturiertes Ausfüllen entsprechend der von der StAG KI unterbreiteten Formulierung („die Versandnummer soll maximal 8 numerische Zeichen enthalten") vorgeschlagen. Im entgegengesetzten Fall, Benützung von automatisierten Systemen und gegenseitige Informationsunterstützung der Beförderer unmöglich sind, weil Informationsbearbeitung in Computer angesichts des Fehlens der unifizierten Nummer kompliziert sich.

Die Teilnehmer der Expertenberatung im Oktober 2014 informierten sich über das Schreiben des Spezialisten der StAG KI an die II. Kommission der OSShD und den Standpunkt der Beratung der ZAG zur Revision des SMGS und erörterten die Mitteilung des Komitees der OSShD vom 26.08.2014, dass ab 01.07.2015 Änderungen und Ergänzungen zu den Texten des SMGS und der DV zum SMGS wirksam werden, wobei sie darauf hinwiesen, dass diese Dokumente keine Erläuterungen zum Ausfüllen des SMGS-Frachtbriefs einschließlich des Feldes „Versandnummer" enthalten. In diesem Zusammenhang werden seitens der Kommission der OSShD für Transportrecht Erläuterungen zum Ausfüllen des SMGS-Frachtbriefs sowie die Vereinheitlichung der Angaben des SMGS-Frachtbriefs bis zum Inkrafttreten der „Änderungen und Ergänzungen zum SMGS

und zur DV SMGS" verlangt.

Die Beratung stellte fest, dass anderenfalls die Nutzung automatisierter Systeme und der Informationsaustausch zwischen den Beförderern problematisch wird, da die rechnergestützte Datenverarbeitung aufgrund fehlender Forderungen an die Strukturierung der Daten beim Ausfüllen aller Felder des SMGS-Frachtbriefs erschwert wird.

Zusammenarbeit mit der UIC

Im Mai 2014 fand die 68. Sitzung der Gemeinsamen OSShD/UIC-Gruppe für Kodierung und Informatik statt, an der Vertreter von 14 Unternehmen teilnahmen. Die Gruppe behandelte folgende, die gemeinsame Arbeit betreffende Themen:

• Informationen der UIC über strukturelle Änderungen und die Fortsetzung der Zusammenarbeit zwischen UIC und OSShD im Bereich Kodierung und Informatik,

• Verzeichnis der Koordinatoren für die gemeinsamen UIC/OSShD-Merkblätter (Aktualisierung),

• Information über die Herausgabe aktualisierter gemeinsamer UIC/OSShD-Merkblätter,

• Aktualisierung der gemeinsamen UIC/OSShD- Merkblätter im Stadium der Ausarbeitung,

• Information der UIC über den Status der Daten der Dienstobjekte in der Datenbank ENEE und der Einheitlichen Informationsdatenbank (CRD),

• Behandlung der Vorschläge der UZ für die mögliche Abbildung der Spurweite im Abschnitt „Grenzübergänge" der Einheitlichen Informationsdatenbank (CRD),

• Kodierung der Güterbahnhöfe in Übereinstimmung mit den im DIUM angeführten Informationsdaten für die Objekte (zusätzliche Objektcodes).

Zusammen mit der UIC wurde im Rahmen des gemeinsamen Projekts RICS an der Zuweisung von vierstelligen Codes auf Antrag der Eisenbahnverkehrsunternehmen gearbeitet. Auf der Internetseite der OSShD sind in der Rubrik „Dokumente und Merkblätter" Dokumente in zwei Sprachen abgelegt, die u. a. die wichtigsten Regeln für die Kodierung der Eisenbahnverkehrsunternehmen gemäß Merkblatt O 920-1 enthalten. Die Teilnehmer der Expertenberatung behandelten im Oktober das aktualisierte Verzeichnis der Koordinatoren für die gemeinsamen UIC/OSShD-Merkblätter unter Berücksichtigung der eingegangenen Vorschläge und vereinbarten seine Weitergabe zur Veröffentlichung bei der UIC und auf der Internetseite der OSShD.

Auf der Internetseite der OSShD sind seit dem 13. Januar 2014 unter der Rubrik „Dokumente und Merkblätter" aktualisierte Angaben in der Liste „Infrastrukturbetreiber und sonstige an Eisenbahnbeförderungen beteiligte Unternehmen gemäß RICS (mit Stand vom 29.08.2014)" mit Benennungen in russischer Sprache zu finden. Die Angaben in dieser Liste werden entsprechend dem Beschluss der StAG KI aus dem Jahr 2010 jährlich aktualisiert. Die korri­gierte Liste wurde abgestimmt, auf der Internetseite der OSShD veröffentlicht und an die UIC zur weiteren Verwendung der Angaben bei der nächsten Aktualisierung der „List of codes 4N" und der Liste der Unternehmenscodes im Januar 2015 gesandt.

Die Abschlussberatung der StAG KI nahm die Information über den Verlauf der Zusammenarbeit zur Kenntnis und billigte die geleistete gemeinsame Arbeit von OSShD und UIC. Ihre Fortführung im Jahr 2015 wird für notwendig erachtet.

Im Rahmen des Themes „Papierloses Abfertigungsverfahren der Gütertransporte im internationalen Eisenbahnverkehr'" wurde das Merkblatt O 920-11 „Einheitliche numerische Kodierung von Informationen über die im Ausland an den verschiedenen Teilen der Güterwagen entstandenen Schäden" behandelt. Die Umsetzung der Projekte zur informationsseitigen Begleitung des internationalen Eisenbahngüterverkehrs mit den Daten des SMGS-Frachtbriefs, den Daten des CIM/SMGS-Frachtbriefs und den Angaben über den Zug wurde weiter vorangetrieben. Vorschläge zur Verwendung von elektronischen Dokumenten mit digitaler Signatur bei der informationsseitigen Begleitung von Gütertransporten im internationalen Verkehr wurden erarbeitet. Hervorzuheben ist, dass im Zusammenhang mit der Vorbereitung auf die Einführung der Pflicht zur Übermittlung von Vorabinformation an die Zollorgane der Staaten der Zollunion ab 1. Oktober 2014 die Aktualisierung der OSShD-Merkblätter O+R 943 und O+R 944 einen wichtigen Platz einnahm. Hierfür wurden die elektronischen Meldungen INVOICE und IFTMIN entsprechend den Angaben der Begleitdokumente „Invoice" bzw. „Packliste" aktualisiert. Die Expertenberatung prüfte im April 2014 die Vorschläge der LDZ zur Vereinheitlichung der Daten und Struktur der INVOICE-Meldung für die Vorabinformation an die Beförderer der Zollunion über Güter, die über die Grenze verbracht werden. Die Abschlussberatung der StAG KI stimmte dem Vorschlag der RZD AG zu, in der IFTMIN-Meldung die ersten 9 Begleitdokumente im Segment mit der Nummer 1.00.DOC darzustellen und für die übrigen die Segmentgruppe 13 im Element 2.13.DOC im Zyklus der Gruppe 11 zu wiederholen. Des Weiteren wurde dem Vorschlag der RZD AG zur Ergänzung des Merkblattes O+R 944 für Datenelemente zugestimmt.

Zusammenarbeit mit dem CIT

Auf der Grundlage der Vereinbarung der OSShD mit dem CIT fanden im Rahmen der Expertenberatungen im April und Oktober 2014 zwei Sitzungen der gemeinsamen „Technischen Gruppe zur Aktualisierung der technischen Spezifikationen des Frachtbriefs CIM/SMGS"' statt. Auf der Sitzung vom 3. April 2014 wurde über die Arbeiten zur Überprüfung und Aktualisierung der funktionalen, rechtlichen und technischen Spezifikationen informiert. Diskutiert wurden Fragen des Konverters und andere technische Lösungen für den Datenaustausch mit dem Meldungsformat EDIFACT - XML. Die Diskussion erfolgte ausgehend von den auf der 18. Beratung der Steuergruppe CIM/SMGS erarbeiteten Unterlagen:

• Vorgelegt wurde eine Datenliste von RAILDATA für den Vergleich der Struktur der Daten, die für das CIM in der Meldung CIM/SMGS - EDIFACT relevant sind.

• Der Vorschlag der RZD AG, die Meldung nach dem Standard EDIFACT unter Nutzung der XML-Syntax zu verwenden, wurde geprüft.

Die Experten unterstrichen, dass sich die CIM-Bahnen in der Projektphase mit den technischen Spezifikationen CIM/SMGS-ECN einverstanden erklärt haben, die die Grundlage der bei den SMGS-Bahnen eingeführten EDIFACT-Meldung bilden und auf der Internetseite des CIT zu finden sind. Vor diesem Hintergrund wurde der Wunsch geäußert, dass sich auch die Beschreibung der XML-Meldung für den CIM/SMGS-Frachtbrief, nach der diese durchgeführt wird, hinsichtlich der Struktur (Feldlänge usw.) an den gemeinsam erarbeiteten und abgestimmten Dokumenten orientiert, um:

• auf Projektebene das Ziel kontinuierlicher technischer Spezifikationen für den elektronischen Frachtbrief CIM/SMGS sicherzustellen,

• die Arbeiten der Zeitweiligen Arbeitsgruppe in angemessener Zeit abzuschließen,

• den interessierten CIM-Beförderern die Dokumente zu übergeben, die für die Kommunikation unter Verwendung des Meldungsformats XML notwendig sind,

• und es wurde vereinbart, dass RAILDATA ausgehend von den aktuellen technischen RAILDATA-Spezifikationen die Beschreibung der XML-Meldung für den elektronischen CIM/ SMGS-Frachtbrief liefert.

Aus Sicht der CIM-Bahnen, die das System ORFEUS nutzen, bedeutet dieses Vorgehen gegenüber der Variante, die vorhandenen CIM-Datenfelder mit den entsprechenden Ergänzungen durch die SMGS-Felder zu nutzen, eine zusätzliche finanzielle Belastung.

Hierbei besteht die Gefahr, dass viele Bahnen, die das System ORFEUS nutzen und sich nur in geringem Maße an Beförderungen mit dem CIM/SMGS-Frachtbrief beteiligen, der Einführung und Verwendung des elektronischen SIM/SMGS-Frachtbriefs keine Priorität mehr einräumen. Zwei mögliche Lösungsansätze wurden erörtert. Erstens, bei der der Verwendung des elektronischen Frachtbriefs sollen nur jene Begleitdokumente zugelassen werden, die auf der jeweiligen rechtlichen Grundlage erstellt und elektronisch weitergegeben werden können. Insbesondere seitens der CIM-Bahnen ergibt sich die Frage, inwieweit sich ein derartiges Vorgehen negativ auf die Wahrnehmung des elektronischen CIM/SMGS-Frachtbriefs durch die Kunden und seine Verbreitung auswirkt.

Vorgestellt wurde das bei RAILDATA diskutierte Procedere, das auf die Bearbeitung von gescannten Begleitdokumenten gerichtet ist. Diese Vorgehensweise kann jedoch nur in Bezug auf gescannte Papiere angewandt werden und setzt die Nutzung eines zentralen Systems voraus. Die Diskussion über die Begleitdokumente wird innerhalb der Gruppe weitergeführt.

UZ und RAILDATA stimmen untereinander den Termin für die Präsentation des von der UZ genutzten Konverters EDIFACT<>XML ab.

Auf der Sitzung vom 2. Oktober 2014 wurden zum Tagesordnungspunkt „Aktueller Stand der Arbeiten bei der Umsetzung des elektronischen CIM/SMGS-Frachtbriefs im Meldungsformat XML" Folgendes erörtert:

• Auf der 3. Sitzung der Gruppe im April 2014 kam es zu einer Vereinbarung mit RAILDATA über den Beginn der Arbeiten auf der Grundlage der wirksamen technischen Spezifikationen für die Beschreibung der XML-Meldung für den elektronischen CIM/SMGS-Frachtbrief.

• Ausgehend von den Ergebnissen der 27. Sitzung der Rechts- und Expertengruppe CIM/SMGS, dass von der Revision des SMGS in Bezug auf den Inhalt des Handbuchs Frachtbrief CIM/SMGS Änderungen zu erwarten sind, die sich unmittelbar auf die funktionalen und technischen Spezifikationen des elektronischen CIM/SMGS-Frachtbriefs auswirken, wurden Anfang Juli 2014 die Arbeiten seitens RAILDATA vorübergehend eingestellt.

Die Experten schlugen vor, die Arbeiten von RAIL-DATA, im Zusammenhang mit der XML-Meldung wieder aufzunehmen, wenn die dafür notwendigen Bedingungen vorliegen.

Bei der Behandlung des Einflusses der Revision des SMGS auf den (elektronischen) CIM/SMGS-Frachtbrief wurde Folgendes festgestellt:

• Die Experten gehen davon aus, dass die Auswirkungen der Revision des SMGS vorwiegend mittelfristiger Art sein werden.

• Die Auswirkungen auf den Inhalt des Frachtbriefs sind in der ersten Etappe im Frachtbriefmuster und den entsprechenden Beschreibungen des Handbuchs Frachtbrief CIM/SMGS zu berücksichtigen.

• Danach sind sie in der zweiten Etappe in die funktionalen (und wenn anwendbar - rechtlichen) Spezifikationen bis zum Beginn der Arbeiten der dritten Etappe aufzunehmen.

• In der dritten Etappe erfolgt die Anpassung der technischen Spezifikationen.

Die Durchführung all dieser Arbeiten hat zur Folge, dass sich der Termin für die Fertigstellung der Meldungsbeschreibung XML für den elektronischen CIM/SMGS-Frachtbrief dementsprechend verschiebt. Zusätzlich ist eine punktuelle Optimierung der bereits vorhandenen Festlegung der IFTMIN-Meldung erforderlich.

Bei der Behandlung der Fortsetzung der Arbeiten im Zusammenhang mit der XML-Meldung und den Begleitdokumenten / nächste Schritte wurde festgestellt:

• Ausgehend von der Information, dass alle relevanten inhaltlichen Änderungen des SMGS Ende 2014 bekannt sein werden, schlagen die Experten folgende Schritte zur Fortsetzung der Arbeiten vor:

- Parallel zu den Arbeiten am Frachtbrief und am Handbuch Frachtbrief CIM/SMGS ist auf der Sitzung im April 2015 eine überarbeitete Fassung der funktionalen Spezifikationen vorzubereiten.

- Der Entwurf der funktionalen Spezifikationen ist der Rechts- und Expertengruppe CIM/ SMGS im Juli 2015 zur Zustimmung und danach auf Projektebene der Steuergruppe im September 2015 zur Bestätigung vorzulegen.

- Die technische Ad-hoc-Expertengruppe wird sich auf ihrer Sitzung im Oktober 2015 mit folgenden Fragen befassen:

□ Optimierung der technischen Spezifikationen,

□ punktuelle Optimierung der IFTMIN-Meldung,

□ Vorbereitung der endgültigen Version der

XML-Meldung.

Organisation des Austausches elektronischer Frachtpapiere mit digitaler Signatur bei der Durchführung von internationalen Beförderungen zwischen den Eisenbahnen der OSShD-Mitglieds-länder

Im Rahmen dieses Themas arbeiteten die beteiligten Bahnen (BC, LG, RZD AG, UZ) und das angegliederte Unternehmen AED Rail Service an der Umstellung der Beförderung von Leerfahrzeugen und Gütern im bilateralen Verkehr auf rechtlich anerkannte elektronische Frachtpapiere mit digitaler Signatur.

Die Arbeiten betreffen sowohl Beförderungen lokaler Dimension als auch vollumfassende bilaterale internationale Transporte. Auf der letzten Experten­beratung im September 2014 in Trnava (Slowakische Republik) wurden die erzielten Ergebnisse behandelt und die Pläne für die weitere Tätigkeit in dieser Richtung für 2015 und darüber hinaus ausgearbeitet.

Die Abschlussberatung der StAG KI behandelte ebenfalls den Stand

- der Ausarbeitung des Merkblattentwurfs zum Thema „Empfehlungen zur Anwendung des Verfahrens eines bevollmächtigten Dritten für die Gewährleistung der rechtlichen Aussagekraft elektronischer Dokumente im grenzüberschreitenden Verkehr",

- der Vorbereitung der technologischen und technischen Basis für die Einführung und Entwicklung unterschiedlicher Konzepte für die Anerkennung elektronischer Dokumente mit digitalen Signaturen,

- der Aktualisierung der Angebote für die Nutzung der Möglichkeit der vorhandener Baugruppen PEPPOL für die Interaktion der Informationssysteme beim grenzüberschreitenden elektronischen Dokumentenumlauf,

- der Durchführung des Seminars zum Thema „Technische Spezifikationen für die Interoperabilität im internationalen Eisenbahnpersonen- und-güterverkehr (TAF TSI und TAP TSI).

Auf der Grundlage der von der Expertenberatung erarbeiteten Vorschläge vereinbarte die Abschlussberatung der StAG KI folgende Vorschläge, um die Nutzung OSShD-Internetseite weiter zu verbessern:

• die eingestellten Dokumente einschließlich der Merkblätter zu ordnen, nicht mehr aktuelle Merkblätter zu entfernen und aktuelle Merkblätter unverzüglich aufzunehmen,

• die Lesbarkeit von früher erstellten Merkblättern, die nicht in elektronischer Fassung vorliegen (mangelhafte Merkblätter oder deren eingescannten Kopien) zu überprüfen und bei Bedarf neue elektronische Fassungen vorzubereiten,

• die Suchsysteme weiterzuentwickeln.

Die Teilnehmer der Abschlussberatung nahmen eine Information über die Internationale Konferenz ERRIC/IFRC-2015 entgegen, die vom 18. bis 20. März 2015 in Prag (Tschechische Republik) stattfinden wird. Hauptorganisator der Konferenz, die unter der Schirmherrschaft der OSShD und einer Reihe weiterer internationaler Organisationen steht, ist die OLTIS Group als angegliedertes Unternehmen der OSShD (Details unter www.railconference.com).

Beratung der Eisenbahnexperten zum Thema „Systeme der Platzreservierung, Informationsbetreuung der Reisenden, Reisendenservice und gegenseitige Abrechnungen für die Beförderungen" 

In dieser Beratung, die vom 4. bis zum 6. März 2014 im Komitee der OSShD stattfand, haben die Vertreter der folgenden Eisenbahnen teilgenommen: BC, MAV GAG, VZD, KRG, LG, CFM, PKP AG, RZD AG, UTI SEAG, UZ, CD AG, sowie des Komitees der OSShD.

Während der Beratung wurden die folgenden Fragen betrachtet:

• Verzeichnis der OSShD/UIC Merkblätter für die Unterbringung auf der OSShD-Webseite mit dem Hinweis der verantwortlichen Eisenbahnen der OSShD-Mitgliedsländer nach jedem Merkblatt;

• Fragen der Reiseorganisation mit den elektronischen Fahrkarten;

• Technologie der Fahrausweise-Abfertigung für den Zug Nr. 9/10 Moskau - Warschau „Polonez" mit dem Hinweis des Gesamtwertes (Fahrkarte + Platzkarte) auf einem Formular;

• Fragen der Informationsbildung und Informationsbearbeitung im Format des Merkblattes 918-1;

• Fragen der Abstimmung der Platznormen für die Abfertigung der Rückabfahrt auf den internationalen Zügen beim Fahrplanwechsel und andere Fragen.

Die Beratung betrachtete den von vorbereiteten Entwurf „Verzeichnis der OSShD/UIC Merkblätter, die die Arbeit zum Thema "Systeme der Platzreservie­rung, Informationsbetreuung der Reisenden, Reisendenservice und gegenseitige Abrechnungen für die Beförderungen" reglementieren, der aufgrund des Katalogs der UIC-Merkblätter, aufgestellt auf der UIC-Webseite, mit dem Stand per Januar 2014 aus­gearbeitet wurde. Die Beratung hat das Verzeichnis vereinbart und bat das Komitee der OSShD, dieses Verzeichnis während der Beratung der OSShD-Kommission für Personenverkehr zu behaupten.

Der Vertreter der Weißrussischen Eisenbahn informierte, dass die Abfertigung der elektronischen Fahrkarten, einschließlich mit der elektronischen Registrierung, immer größere Nachfrage zeigt. Zur Zeit wurde die Dienstleistung der elektronischen Registrierung in allen Zügen der BC während der Fahrt über das Territorium der Republik Belarus, sowie im Verkehr mit LDZ und der RZD AG für die Züge, die nicht im Transit verkehren, eingeführt. Es ist geplant mit der Einführung des neuen Fahrplans der Personenzüge für 2014/2015, die Dienstleistung der elektronischen Registrierung im Verkehr mit LG einzuführen - die Dienstordnung der Wechselwirkung ist in der Vereinbarungsphase.

 Die Anzahl der Fahrkarten mit der elektronischen Registrierung beträgt bis zu 80 Prozent von der Gesamtzahl der Fahrkarten, die über das Internet bezahlt werden. Auf der Grundlage der Analyse der Anträge der Fahrgäste ist es seit Februar 2014 bei der Fahrt auf dem Territorium der Republik Belarus erlaubt, die kleinen Haustiere im Antrag der Bestellung der Fahrkarte mit der elektronischen Registrierung zu berücksichtigen. Das erfolgt auf der Grundlage der letzten sechs Zahlen der Nummer der Bestellung.

Die Vertreter der UZ haben informiert, dass in 2013 die Popularität der Dienstleistung der Abfertigung der Fahrkarten über das Internet vergrößert wurde. In 2013 wurden im Internet 2,1 Mio. Plätze gekauft, das ist 2,2 mal mehr als in 2012 und macht 7,8% des Gesamtvolumens der verkauften Fahrkarten. In Januar-Februar 2014 bildete die Abfertigung im Internet 8,5% des Gesamtvolumens der verkauften Fahrausweise. Außerdem haben die Reisende seit August 2013 die Möglichkeit, über das Internet die Fahrkarten zu stornieren.

Seit Juli 2013 ist der elektronische Fahrkartenverkauf (EPD) für Reisezüge des Binneverkehrs eingeführt. Die Ausstellung der e-Tickets wird auf der Webseite von UZ sowie in 328 Reisezentren mit spezieller Software realisiert (ARM EPD). Bei der Ausstellung bekommt der Fahrgast ein Bording Card, das ein QR Code zur Kontrolle des Einstiegs durch Mobilgeräte für Fahrkartenkontrolle enthält. Die e-Tickets werden für 83 Reisezugpaare des Binnenverkehrs verwendet.

Die RZD AG stellten eine Präsentation über den elektronischen Verkauf der Fahrausweise in der RZD AG/FPC AG im internationalen Verkehr: RZD - LDZ, RZD - BC, RZD - VR, RZD - SNCF.

Seit 15. Dezember 2013 sind die Fahrkarten für den Zug Nr. 10/09 „Polonez" Warschau - Moskau aufgrund der Gesamtpreise (Fahrkarte + Platzkarte) eingeführt. Die RZD AG hat eine Präsentation über die Abfertigung von den Fahrkarten mit dem Hinweis des Gesamtwertes (Fahrkarte + Platzkarte) auf einem Formular, über die Beförderungsbedingungen im Zug „Polonez" und über die Verkaufsorganisation von elektronischen Fahrkarten durch das Internet in Richtung Polen - Russland durchgeführt.

Die RZD AG stellten eine Anfrage an die PKP über die Möglichkeit, eine Informationstechnologie auszuarbeiten, die die Auskunft über die vorhandenen Plätze und den Preis der Fahrkarten im „Polonez"-Zug, der zwischen Polen und Russland verkehrt, geben wird. Diese Technologie ermöglicht den Verkauf von elektronischen Fahrkarten für Verkehr zwischen Polen und Russland zu organisieren und in der nächsten Zukunft die elektronischen Fahrkarten für diesen Zug zuzulassen.

Die RZD AG stellten eine Präsentation „Erstellung und Verarbeitung von Datenelementen gemäß dem Merkblatt Nr. 918-1" dar. Im Material wurden die an dem Element 4 „Tagesnummer im Jahr" und an dem Element Nr. 20 „Zugnummer" vorgenommenen Änderungen im „Express"-System beschrieben. Auch wurde der Entwurf des neuen Datenelementes Nr. 86 „zeitliche Beschränkung der Annullierung von Reservationen" präsentiert. 

Expertenberatung der Kommission der OSShD für Transportpolitik und Entwicklungsstrategie zum Thema: „Erarbeitung und Umsetzung von komplexen Maßnahmen zur Weiterentwicklung der Verkehre und Entwicklung der OSShD-Transportkorridore"

An dieser Beratung, die vom 18. bis 20. Februar 2014 in Tbilissi (Georgien) stattfand, nahmen die Vertreter folgender OSShD-Mitgliedsländer teil: Republik Aserbaidschan, Republik Bulgarien, Ungarn, Georgien, Republik Kasachstan, Litauische Republik, Republik Moldova, Republik Polen, Russische Föderation, Ukraine, Estnische Republik. Vertreten waren ebenfalls die OTIF und das Komitee der OSShD. In seinem Grußwort an die Teilnehmer der Beratung hob der Generaldirektor der Georgischen Eisenbahn AG Mamuka Bakhtadze die Wichtigkeit der im Rahmen der OSShD durchgeführten Arbeiten zum Ausbau der Eisenbahntransportkorridore hervor, die der Weiterentwicklung des Verkehrs auf dem eurasischen Kontinent dienen. Im Verlauf der Beratung wurden folgende Punkte erörtert:

- Ausarbeitung von Komplexplänen zur Weiterentwicklung der Verkehre und zum Ausbau der OSShD-Transportkorridore Nr. 4, 6 und 11 bis 2020

- Vergleichsanalyse der OSShD-Korridore mit den offiziell bestätigten paneuropäischen Verkehrskorridoren (Kreta 1994, Helsinki 1997) und den eurasischen Verkehrskorridoren (St. Petersburg 2000, 2003)

- Prüfung der Möglichkeit, neue Strecken an die OSShD-Eisenbahntransportkorridore anzubinden

- Vorbereitung von Vorschlägen für einen gemeinsamen Aktionsplan zur Umsetzung der Festlegungen des Memorandums über die Zusammenarbeit bei der technischen, betrieblichen und kommerziellen Entwicklung der OSShD-Eisenbahntransportkorridore Nr. 1-13

- Ausarbeitung und Abstimmung des Entwurfs des Arbeitsplans für 2015 und der Entwürfe der Arbeitsprogramme für 2016 und die Folgejahre sowie andere Punkte.

Der Vorsitzende der Beratung und die federführenden Bearbeiter seitens der Republik Bulgarien und der Russischen Föderation informierten die Beratungsteilnehmer über die Komplexpläne zur Weiterentwicklung der Verkehre und zum Ausbau der OSShD-Transportkorridore Nr. 4, 6 und 11 bis 2020. Die Expertenberatung erachtete es für sinnvoll, die Komplexpläne für diese Korridore zur Bestätigung auf der Jahresberatung der Kommission der OSShD für Transportpolitik und Entwicklungsstrategie (14. bis 17. Oktober 2014) vorzulegen.

Die Beratungsteilnehmer nahmen eine Präsentation der Vertreter der OTIF zum Thema „Erleichterung der Eisenbahnbeförderungsbedingungen" zur Kenntnis, in der die Schwerpunkte bei den Arbeiten zur Vereinheitlichung des Eisenbahntransportrechts angesprochen wurden.

Der Vorsitzende der Beratung teilte den Teilnehmern mit, dass beim Komitee der OSShD Vorschläge von der Republik Kasachstan und der Republik Moldova zur Prüfung einer möglichen Anbindung neuer Strecken an die OSShD-Eisenbahntransportkorridore eingegangen sind.

- Die Republik Kasachstan schlug vor, die neue Strecke Iljezk - Kandyagash - Nikeltau - Tobol als Abzweigstrecke des OSShD-Korridors Nr. 2 aufzunehmen.

- Die Republik Moldova schlug vor, die Möglichkeit einer Verlängerung des OSShD-Transport-korridors Nr. 12 auf dem Territorium der Ukraine vom Bahnhof Okniza (Republik Moldova) bis zum Bahnhof Schmerynka (Ukraine) zu prüfen.

Der Vertreter der Republik Kasachstan informierte ebenfalls über neu gebaute und im Bau befindliche Eisenbahnlinien auf dem Gebiet Kasachstans. Im Zusammenhang mit dieser Mitteilung beantragt die Republik Kasachstan die Aufnahme folgender neuer Strecken in das Verzeichnis der internationalen Trans­portkorridore der OSShD zu prüfen:

- Zhetygen - Altynkol als Abzweigstrecke des OSShD-Transortkorridors Nr. 5

- Korgas - Jinghe als Abzweigstrecke des OSShD-Transportkorridors Nr. 5.

Die Expertenberatung empfahl den Mitgliedsländern der OSShD, die Vorschläge der Republik Kasachstan und der Republik Moldova zu prüfen und bat sie, ihre Stellungnahmen zu dieser Frage bis zum 30. Mai 2014 an das Komitee der OSShD zu senden, um einen endgültigen Beschluss auf der Jahresberatung der Kommission der OSShD für Transportpolitik und Entwicklungsstrategie 2014 verabschieden zu können. Den Beratungsteilnehmern wurde mitgeteilt, dass auf der XLI. Tagung der Ministerkonferenz der OSShD (11. bis 14. Juni 2013, Estnische Republik, Tallinn) die Memoranden über die Zusammenarbeit bei der technischen, betrieblichen und kommerziellen Entwicklung der OSShD-Eisenbahntransportkorridore zu jedem Transportkorridor von den meisten OSShD-Mitgliedsländern für ihr jeweiliges nationales Territorium unterzeichnet worden sind. Die Memoranden waren entsprechend dem Auftrag der XL. Tagung der Ministerkonferenz (5. bis 8. Juni 2012, Baku) erarbeitet und bestätigt worden. Im Zeitraum vom 15. Juni 2013 bis 25. Dezember 2013 erfolgte die Unterzeichnung der Memoranden durch die OSShD-Mitgliedsländer Kirgisische Republik (Korridore Nr. 5, 10), Republik Polen (Korridore Nr. 1, 3, 4, 7 und 13), Republik Bulgarien (Korridore 6, 10 und 12), Islamische Republik Iran (Korridore Nr. 6, 11), Mongolei (Korridor Nr. 1) und Rumänien (Korridore Nr. 6, 10 und 12). Zum jetzigen Zeitpunkt liegen noch keine Unterschriften seitens der OSShD-Mitgliedsländer Slowakische Republik (Korridore Nr. 4, 6), Turkmenistan (Korridore Nr.6, 8 und 10) und Tschechische Republik (Korridore 4, 6) vor.

Unterstützung fand die Auffassung, dass es sinnvoll sei, die Möglichkeit der Ausarbeitung eines Maßnahmenplanes zur Umsetzung der Festlegungen der Memoranden unter Berücksichtigung der Erfahrungen der Europäischen Union und internationaler Organisationen zu prüfen.

Die Beratung erachtete es für sinnvoll, ab 2015 eine Aktualisierung der vorhandenen betriebstechnischen Datenblätter für die OSShD-Transportkorridore Nr. 1 bis 13 in folgender Reihenfolge vorzunehmen:

- 2015 - OSShD-Korridore Nr. 1 bis 4

- 2016 - OSShD-Korridore Nr. 5 bis 8

- 2017 - OSShD-Korridore Nr. 9 bis 13.

Die Beratungsteilnehmer nahmen eine Präsentation des Vertreters der Südkaukasischen Eisenbahn GAG über deren Tätigkeit und Entwicklungspläne entgegen und erhielten Informationen von der ungarischen Delegation über die Konferenz zum Thema „Steigerung der Effizienz transkontinentaler Eisen­bahnverkehre unter Nutzung des Korridors RFC 6", die am 7. Februar 2014 unter der Schirmherrschaft des ungarischen verkehrswissenschaftlichen Vereins (KTE) stattfand.

Gemeinsame Beratung der Bevollmächtigten Vertreter der Mitglieder der Ministerkonferenz und der Mitglieder der Konferenz der Generaldirektoren (verantwortlichen Vertreter) der Eisenbahnen der OSShD

An der gemeinsamen Beratung, die vom 10. bis 13. Dezember 2013 im Komitee der OSShD stattfand, nahmen die Bevollmächtigten Vertreter der Mitglieder der Ministerkonferenz der OSShD und der Mitglieder der Konferenz der Generaldirektoren (verantwortlichen Vertreter) der Eisenbahnen der OSShD folgender Länder teil: Republik Aserbaidschan, Republik Belarus, Republik Bulgarien, Ungarn, Sozialistische Republik Vietnam, Georgien, Islamische Republik Iran, Republik Kasachstan, Volksrepublik China, Koreanische Demokratische Volksrepublik, Lettische Republik, Litauische Republik, Republik Moldova, Mongolei, Republik Polen, Russische Föderation, Rumänien, Slowakische Republik, Republik Tadschikistan, Republik Usbekistan, Ukraine, Tschechische Republik und Estnische Republik. Anwesend waren ebenfalls die Vertreter der DB AG und der SNCF als Beobachter der OSShD, die eingeladenen Vertreter der UIC und des CCTT sowie die Mitglieder und Mitarbeiter des Komitees der OSShD. Die Beratung eröffnete der Vorsitzende des Komitees der OSShD, Herr Tadeusz Szozda, der die Teilnehmer begrüßte und einen Überblick über die Hauptaufgaben der OSShD im Jahr 2014 gab. Die Beratung prüfte und behandelte die Unterlagen, die von den Arbeitsorganen der OSShD sowie dem Komitee der OSShD erstellt worden waren und die das Komitee der OSShD den Verkehrsministerien und den Eisenbahnen der OSShD zugesandt hatte. Die Tagesordnung umfasste folgende Punkte:

1. Mögliche Zusammenarbeit von OSShD und UIC bei der Erarbeitung von internationalen Eisenbahnstandards der UIC.

2. Arbeitspläne der Arbeitsorgane der OSShD für 2014 und Sitzungskalender der OSShD für 2014.

Die Behandlung der Tagesordnung führte zu folgenden Ergebnissen:

1. Die Beratungsteilnehmer nahmen eine Information des Sekretärs des Komitees der OSShD, Kalman Somodi, über den beim Komitee der OSShD eingegangenen Vorschlag der UIC zur Einbeziehung der Aufgabe „Erarbeitung internationaler Eisenbahnstandards (IES) zu den Clustern Fahrzeuge, Infrastruktur, Hochgeschwindigkeitsverkehr und anderer notwendiger IES" in das Programm zur Zusammenarbeit von OSShD und UIC sowie zur Bildung einer UIC/ OSShD-Koordinierungsgruppe für die Umsetzung dieser Aufgabe entgegen.

Der Vertreter der UIC und Spezialist der Standardisierungsplattform stellte in einer Präsentation das Konzept für die Erarbeitung internationaler Eisenbahnstandards auf der Grundlage der gültigen und zu aktualisierenden UIC-Merkblätter vor und ging insbesondere auf den Vorschlag ein, gemeinsam mit der OSShD die Komponente bezüglich der Normen des Bahnsystems 1520 mm für deren Aufnahme in die internationalen Eisenbahnstandards der UIC auszuarbeiten.

Die Beratung stellte fest, dass die Aufnahme von Änderungen in das Programm der Zusammenarbeit zwischen OSShD und UIC sowie die Bildung eines gemeinsamen OSShD/ UIC-Arbeitsorgans in den Zuständigkeitsbereich der Konferenz der Generaldirektoren der Eisenbahnen der OSShD fällt.

In diesem Zusammenhang bat die Beratung das Komitee der OSShD für die Behandlung auf der ordentlichen XXIX. Sitzung der KGD eine entsprechende Vorlage in Zusammenarbeit mit der UIC mit folgendem Inhalt auszuarbeiten:

- Ziel der Arbeiten,

- Machbarkeitsstudie für die Erstellung der IES, Status und internationale Anerkennung der IES,

- Rechte und Pflichten von OSShD und UIC bei der Erstellung der IES,

- Erwartungen/Nutzen für alle Teilnehmer des Eisenbahnmarktes einschließlich der OSShD und UIC,

- Vorgehensweise zur Organisation der Arbeiten,

- Fragen des geistigen Eigentums.

Die Beratung empfahl, bei der Erarbeitung der 1520-mm-Komponente der IES folgende Dokumente zu berücksichtigen:

- die gemeinsamen OSShD/UIC- Merkblätter der Kommission der OSShD für Infrastruktur und Fahrzeuge,

- die Dokumente der OSShD/ERA-Kontaktgruppe,

- die Dokumente der Kommission für technische Fragen des Eisenbahntransportrats der Teilnehmerstaaten der Gemeinschaft Unabhängiger Staaten,

- das Technische Reglement der Zollunion, bestätigt durch Beschluss Nr. 710 der Kommission der Zollunion vom 15. Juli 2011 (seine Bestimmungen sind bei der Konstruktion und Produktion von Fahrzeugen und deren Bauteilen sowie bei der Konformitätsbeurteilung der Erzeugnisse verbindlich):

Die Beratung beschloss:

- die Teilnahme der OSShD an der Erstellung von IES auf der XXIX. Sitzung der KGD behandeln zu lassen,

- den Ergänzungsentwurf zum Vertrag über die Zusammenarbeit zwischen OSShD und UIC (1995) der XXIX. Sitzung der KGD zur Zustimmung vorzulegen,

- Vorschläge zur Durchführung von Arbeiten im Rahmen der OSShD mit Aufnahme dieses Themas in den Arbeitsplan der Kommission der OSShD für Infrastruktur und Fahrzeuge für 2015 zu unterbreiten, eventuell mit Bildung einer Arbeitsgruppe im Rahmen dieser Kommission.

2. Abgestimmt und bestätigt wurden die Arbeitspläne der Arbeitsorgane der OSShD für 2014 und der Sitzungskalender der OSShD für 2014 mit Veröffent­lichung auf der Internetseite der OSShD und in der OSShD-Zeitschrift.

Bei der Behandlung des Arbeitsplans der Kommission der OSShD für Transportpolitik und Entwicklungsstrategie erklärte sich die Delegation des OSShD-Mitgliedslandes China bereit, ab 2015 die Federführung zum Thema „Internationaler Hochgeschwindigkeitsverkehr" zu übernehmen.

Besondere Aufmerksamkeit widmete die Beratung der Bevollmächtigten Vertreter den umfassenden Änderungen und Ergänzungen im SMGS, die sich aus den Arbeiten zur Revision des SMGS ergeben haben. Gemäß Beschluss der XLI. Tagung der Ministerkonferenz der OSShD soll die Kommission der OSShD für Transportrecht nach erzielter Einstimmigkeit den Änderungen und Ergänzungen des SMGS zustimmen, damit sie bis 2015 in Kraft gesetzt werden können. Auf der Beratung der Kommission der OSShD für Transportrecht im November 2013 zu Fragen des SMGS waren diese Änderungen und Ergänzungen nicht von allen SMGS-Teilnehmern gebilligt worden. Da die meisten Delegationen an eine möglichst kurzfristige Einführung des überprüften Textes des SMGS appellieren, erachtet es die Beratung der Bevollmächtigten Vertreter für angebracht, die Verabschiedung der umfassenden Änderungen und Ergänzungen im SMGS als gesonderten Tagesordnungspunkt auf der Plenarsitzung der XLII. Tagung der Ministerkonferenz der OSShD (3. bis 6. Juni 2014 in der Litauischen Republik) zu behandeln. Sollte es auf der XLII. Tagung der Ministerkonferenz der OSShD zu einem positiven Ergebnis in dieser Frage kommen, spricht sich die Beratung der Bevollmächtigten Vertreter für die Durchführung einer eintägigen Beratung der Kommission der OSShD für Transportrecht zu Fragen des SMGS während dieser Tagung aus, auf der die umfassenden Änderungen und Ergänzungen im SMGS endgültig vereinbart werden sollen.

Der Vertreter Lettlands wies darauf hin, dass in dem SMGS-Raum eine große Anzahl von Containern gelangt, die bei Eisenbahnen, die nicht den Bestimmungen des SMGS unterliegen, verladen werden, bzw. über den Seeweg oder die Straße eintreffen, wo andere rechtliche und technische Vorschriften gelten. In Anbetracht der Auffassung der Teilnehmer der Beratung der Bevollmächtigten Vertreter, dass dieses Dokument für Beförderungen von Containern, die bei Eisenbahnen im Geltungsbereich des SMGS verladen werden, erforderlich ist, fasste die Beratung der Bevollmächtigten Vertreter den Beschluss, die ZAG der Kommission der OSShD für Transportrecht zur Ausarbeitung der Anlage 14 „Vorschriften für die Verladung und Befestigung von Gütern auf Wagen und in Containern" zum SMGS bei der Erstellung des Entwurfs für Kapitel 15 der Vorschriften zu beauftragen, sonstige rechtliche und technische Normen, die bei der Verladung von Containern bis zu ihrem Eintreffen bei den Eisenbahnen der Teilnehmerländer des SMGS Anwendung kommen, zu berücksichtigen.

In Übereinstimmung mit den Festlegungen der Gemeinsamem Erklärung über die Entwicklung des eurasischen Eisenbahnverkehrs und die Vereinheitlichung des Eisenbahnrechts, die auf der 75. Tagung des Binnenverkehrsausschusses der UNECE am 26. Februar 2013 auf Ministerebene unterzeichnet wurde, und der damit verbundenen Fortführung der Arbeiten der Expertengruppe des UNECE-Binnenverkehrs-ausschusses zum Einheitlichen Eisenbahnrecht ergab sich die Notwendigkeit, eine erste qualifizierte Analyse und Durchsicht aller zu prüfenden Dokumente, Entwürfe und Vorschläge zwecks Erarbeitung der Standpunkte und Vorschläge der interessierten OSShD-Mitgliedsländer vorzunehmen. Hierfür wird

das Komitee der OSShD den OSShD-Mitgliedsländern die zur Prüfung notwendigen Dokumente, die vom UNECE-Binnenverkehrsausschuss vorbereite­ten wurden, zusenden.

Da für einige Beratungen eine Dauer von 5 Tagen angesetzt ist, erachtet es die Beratung der Bevollmächtigten Vertreter für sinnvoll, den Ablauf der Arbeiten zur Behandlung der einzelnen Punkte im Einladungsschreiben festzulegen, um die jeweiligen Sachverständigen zu den konkreten Terminen entsenden zu können.

Der Spezialist der StAG Kodierung und Informatik teilte mit, dass eine Benutzeranleitung für die Internetseite der OSShD erstellt und veröffentlicht wurde. Diese Ausarbeitung befindet sich ebenfalls auf der OSShD-Seite (https://osjd.org). Die Beratungsteilnehmer wurden über die Arbeiten des CIT zu Fragen der Anwendung des CIV (COTIF) und des SMPS (OSShD) sowie zur Vergleichsanalyse dieser Bestimmungen unterrichtet. In Anbetracht der Tatsache, dass das Komitee der OSShD der Depositar des SMPS ist, erachtet es die Beratung für notwendig, das Komitee der OSShD zu beauftragen, die Bedingungen für die Teilnahme von Vertretern der OSShD an den Arbeiten des CIT zur Anwendung des SMPS und des CIV und die Arbeitspläne hierfür bis zum 31. Mai 2014 zu vereinbaren.

Besuch beim Komitee der OSShD der Außerordentlichen und Bevollmächtigten Botschafter der Republik Bulgarien in der Republik Polen und Unterzeichnung der Memoranden zu den Eisenbahntransportkorridoren der OSShD

Während der XLI. Tagung der Ministerkonferenz (11.-14. Juni 2013, Estnische Republik) wurden die Memoranden zu den einzelnen Eisenbahntransportkorridoren der OSShD von den mehreren OSShD-Mitgliedsländern für ihre jeweilige nationale Territorien unterzeichnet.

Am 12. Dezember 2013 fand im Komitee der OSShD ein Treffen zwischen Herrn Tadeusz Szozda, Vorsitzender des OSShD-Komitees, und Herrn Vassiliy Takev, Außerordentlichen und Bevollmächtigten Botschafter der Republik Bulgarien in der Republik Polen statt. Während des Treffens hatten die Parteien ihre Meinungen über die Fragen der Zusammenarbeit zwischen der Republik Bulgarien und der OSShD ausgetauscht und die Hoffnung auf ihre Weiterentwicklung zum Ausdruck gebracht.

Im Rahmen des Treffens fand eine Unterzeichnungszeremonie der Memoranden zur Entwicklung der Eisenbahntransportkorridore der OSShD statt. Während dieses Treffens hat Herr Vassiliy Takev mit der Bevollmächtigung der Republik Bulgarien die Memoranden zu den Korridoren Nr. 6, 10 und 12 unterzeichnet. Herr Arfa Ehsan, Mitglied des Komitees der OSShD von IRI unterzeichnete die Memoranden zu den Korridoren Nr. 6 und 11 mit der Bevollmächtigung der Islamischen Republik Iran, und mit der Bevollmächtigung der Mongolei wurde das Memorandum zum Korridor Nr. 1 von Frau Tsevegsuren Altankhuyak, Mitglied des Komitees der OSShD von Mongolei unterschrieben. In der Zeit vom 15. Juni 2013 bis zum 24. Dezember 2013 wurden die Memoranden von den Vertretern der folgenden Mitgliedsländer unterzeichnet: Kirgisische Republik (Korridore Nr. 5, 10), Republik Polen (Korridore Nr. 1, 3, 4, 7, 13) und Rumänien (Korridore Nr. 6, 10 und 12).

Die Eisenbahntransportkorridore der OSShD

Laut Satzung der OSShD ist der weitere Ausbau der internationalen Eisenbahntransportkorridore vor allem für den Verkehr zwischen Europa und Asien einschließlich des kombinierten Verkehrs eine der Hauptrichtungen in der Tätigkeit der Organisation für die Zusammenarbeit der Eisenbahnen. Die Umsetzung dieser Aufgabe hat große Bedeutung für die Eisenbahnen der OSShD-Mitgliedsländer, deren Betriebslänge gegenwärtig insgesamt 280742 km beträgt.

Im Rahmen der OSShD wird an der Optimierung der Transporte und am Ausbau der Eisenbahntransportkorridore gearbeitet. Experten aller OSShD-Mitgliedsländer sind in diese Arbeiten involviert. Bei der Organisation von Verkehren zwischen Europa und Asien gelten gegenüber den Ländern Westeuropas abweichende rechtliche Regelungen. Die Eisenbahnverbindungen zwischen den Mitgliedsländern der OSShD sind durch eine erhebliche Streckenlänge (von 5000 bis 10000 km und mehr) und zweimaligem Spurwechsel auf dem Laufweg der Züge in einer Richtung (1435 mm/1520 mm/1435 mm) gekennzeichnet.

Im Bereich der OSShD sind 13 Eisenbahntransportkorridore in Betrieb. Geografisch betrachtet umfassen sie praktisch alle OSShD-Mitgliedsländer von West nach Ost und von Nord nach Süd. Ihre Grundlage wurde 1996 gelegt, als die OSShD 13 Hauptrouten für den Eisenbahnverkehr zwischen Europa und Asien ausgehend von den Gütertransporten zwischen den Ländern der beiden Kontinente festlegte. Beim Aufbau des Netzes der Transportkorridore ging man von folgender Definition aus: Ein Eisenbahntransportkorridor ist ein Komplex von landgebundenen Eisenbahnstrecken und Eisenbahnfährverbindungen, ausgerüstet mit moderner Technik, auf die sich internationale Transitverkehre mit kürzesten Lieferfristen und hohen betrieblichen und wirtschaftlichen Kennziffern konzentrieren sollen.

Die wichtigsten Anforderungen an den Eisenbahntransportkorridoren sind folgende:

- Der Korridor muss entlang der Hauptstrecke verlaufen, über die derzeit und in Zukunft in großem Umfang internationale Schienengütertransporte abgewickelt werden.

- Der Korridor muss den internationalen technischen Parametern entsprechen oder gemäß den Forderungen des Übereinkommens über die Hauptlinien des internationalen Eisenbahnverkehrs (AGC) modernisiert sein.

- Der Korridor muss sich über das Gebiet mehrerer Staaten erstrecken.

- Die Beförderungsstrecke im Korridor muss über die kürzeste Entfernung zwischen den Hauptstandorten des Aufkommens und des Löschens der Fracht verlaufen.

Die OSShD hat die geografischen, technischen und betrieblichen Kenngrößen der 13 Korridore analysiert, Angaben zu Infrastruktur und Grenzübergangspunkten zusammengetragen sowie Wege zur Weiterentwicklung der Gütertransporttechnologien untersucht. Das Ergebnis dieser Arbeiten waren Maßnahmen, die für die Optimierung der internationalen Eisenbahntransporte auf den Korridoren für den Verkehr zwischen Europa und Asien erarbeitet wurden.

Für alle 13 OSShD-Korridore wurden betriebstechnische Datenblätter erstellt und bestätigt. Diese Datenblätter zeigen die technische Ausstattung und die Schwachstellen des Korridors für jeden Streckenabschnitt auf, enthalten Angaben zu den Terminals, den Grenzübergangspunkten sowie zum Transportrecht und Tarifsystem.

Gemäß dem Arbeitsprogramm für 2005-2010 wurden im Rahmen der OSShD für alle auf den Tagungen der Ministerkonferenz der OSShD genehmigten 13 Kor­ridore Komplexpläne zur Optimierung der Transporte und zum Ausbau der OSShD-Transportkorridore bis 2010 ausgearbeitet.

Die Komplexpläne sehen den Ausbau der Verkehrsverbindungen zwischen den am Korridor beteiligten Ländern vor und legen die Bedingungen für ein koordiniertes Handeln der Staaten, über deren Territorium der betreffende Korridor verläuft, fest. Sie berücksichtigen ebenfalls die ständig wachsende Bedeutung der Wirtschafts- und Handelsbeziehungen auf dem eurasischen Kontinent, die auf die Herausbildung eines gemeinsamen Transportraumes gerichtet sind. In ihnen sind die Maßnahmen zum Ausbau der Eisenbahninfrastruktur für jeden Streckenabschnitt des Korridors und der Ablauf ihrer Durchführung sowie ein Vergleich zur Entwicklung der Güterbeförderungsmengen enthalten. Hervorzuheben ist, dass die vom Komitee der OSShD zusammen mit den Experten der OSShD-Mitgliedsländer geleistete Arbeit zu den Transportkorridoren eine hohe Wertschätzung seitens der UN-Wirtschaftskommission für Europa (ECE) erfahren hat und für die weitere Umsetzung empfohlen wurde, wovon ein Dankschreiben zeugt, das im Jahr 2008 an das Komitee der OSShD gesandt wurde. 2013 wurden zu den OSShD-Korridoren 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8 und 10 Komplexpläne zur Optimierung der Transporte und zum Ausbau der OSShD-Transport-korridore bis 2020 erarbeitet und abgestimmt. Entsprechend dem Beschluss der Experten der OSShD-Mitgliedsländer sollen die Komplexpläne zur Optimierung der Transporte und zum Ausbau der OSShD-Transportkorridore 4, 6 und 11 zur Verabschiedung im Jahr 2014 vorbereitet werden. Es ist zu unterstreichen, dass die im Komplexplan vorgesehenen Hauptmaßnahmen von den OSShD-Mitgliedsländern erfüllt werden. Zur Steigerung der Effizienz der OSShD-Korridore und zur Weiterentwicklung des internationalen Personen- und Güterverkehrs wurde im Jahr 2013 entsprechend dem Auftrag der XL. Tagung der Ministerkonferenz der OSShD (5. bis 8. Juni 2012, Republik Aserbaidschan, Baku) zu jedem einzelnen OSShD-Transportkorridor ein Memorandum über die Zusammenarbeit für den technischen, betrieblichen und kommerziellen Ausbau des OSShD-Korridors in Übereinstimmung mit dem Rahmenmemorandum, das gemäß Artikel IV, Punkt 2 der Geschäftsordnung des Komitees der OSShD bestätigt wurde, ausgearbeitet.

2013 wurden die Memoranden zu den einzelnen Eisenbahntransportkorridoren der OSShD von den OSShD-Mitgliedsländern für ihr jeweiliges nationales Territorium unterzeichnet.

 XXXV. Beratung der Zeitweiligen Arbeitsgruppe zu Fragen der Vervollkommnung

der grundlegenden Dokumente der OSShD

An der XXXV. Beratung der Zeitweiligen Arbeitsgruppe zu Fragen der Vervollkommnung der grundlegenden Dokumente der OSShD, die vom 23. bis zum 27. September in Almaty (Kasachstan) stattfand, nahmen die Mitglieder der Zeitweiligen Arbeitsgruppe aus Weißrussland, Georgien, Kasachstan, Litauen, Polen, Russland, der Slowakei, Usbekistan, der Ukraine, Tschechien und Estland teil.

Die Teilnehmer der Beratung wurden vom leitenden Direktor für die korporative Entwicklung von der Aktiengesellschaft NK KTZ (Nationalgesellschaft Kasachische Eisenbahnen) Erkin Shussanbajew begrüßt, der große Wichtigkeit von den im Rahmen der Zeitweiligen Arbeitsgruppe behandelten Fragen für weitere Tätigkeit der ganzen Organisation unterstrich.

In der Tagesordnung der Beratung standen folgende Fragen:

- die Erörterung und Abstimmung der Anlage zum Entwurf der Konvention „Allgemeine Bestimmungen des Vertrages zur Güterbeförderung im internationalen Verkehr" und der damit verbundenen Vorschriften",

- die Erörterung und Abstimmung der Anlage zum Entwurf der Konvention „Allgemeine Bestimmungen des Vertrages zur Personenbeförderung im internationalen Verkehr";

 - die Erörterung und Abstimmung der Anlage zum Entwurf der Konvention „Allgemeine Bestimmungen über die Anwendung von Güterwagen im internationalen Verkehr",

- die Erörterung und Abstimmung der Anlage zum Entwurf der Konvention „Allgemeine Bestimmungen über die Anwendung von Reisezugwagen im internationalen Verkehr",

- die Nachbearbeitung der Abschnitte von der Konvention unter Berücksichtigung der Entscheidungen der XLI. Tagung der Ministerkonferenz der OSShD u.a.

Fragen der Statistik im Bereich des Schienenverkehrs und der Ausgabe des „Bulletins der statistischen Daten der OSShD zum Eisenbahntransport für 2012"

In Schanghai (Volksrepublik China) fand die Expertenberatung zu den Fragen der Statistik im Bereich des Eisenbahntransports und der Ausgabe vom „Bulletin der statistischen Daten der OSShD zum Eisenbahntransport für 2012" vom 10. bis zum 13. September 2013 statt, woran die Vertreter von den OSShD-Mitgliedsländern teilnahmen: von der Republik Belarus, der Republik Kasachstan, der Volksrepublik China, der Lettischen Republik, der Litauischen Republik, der Mongolei, der Russischen Föderation, der Republik Usbekistan, der Ukraine, der Tschechischen Republik, sowie des OSShD-Komitees und UIC.

Die Begrüßungsrede vor den Teilnehmern der Beratung hielt der Stellvertreter des Direktors vom Statistikzentrum für die Eisenbahnen der Volksrepublik China Xia Baohe, der die Wichtigkeit der Arbeit an den Fragen der Statistik im Bereich des Eisenbahntransports und an der Verbesserung von den Statistikbasen unterstrich und den Teilnehmern erfolgreiche und produktive Tätigkeit im Rahmen der abgestimmten Tagesordnung wünschte. Im Namen der Staatsverwaltung für Eisen­bahnen der Volksrepublik China wurden die Teilnehmer der Beratung vom Assis­tenten des Direktors von der Abteilung für Außenbeziehungen Wang Jiayu begrüßt. Er betonte, dass die Eisenbahnen der Volksrepublik China heutzutage einen der führenden Plätze unter den Mitgliedsländern von OSShD in Bezug auf die Ausdehnung von den fungierenden Eisenbahnen und auf den Umfang der beförderten Passagieren und Güter einnehmen. Mit der Begrüßungsrede an die Expertenberatung wandte sich auch der Stellvertreter vom Chef der Schanghaier Eisenbahn Zhou Hongyun. Er erzählte von den Perspektiven für die handelswirtschaftliche Entwicklung von Schanghai, insbesondere vom Status dieser Großstadt als freie Wirtschaftszone. Zhou Hongyun unterstrich, dass Schanghaier Eisenbahn zu 18 Eisenbahnen der Volksrepublik China gehört. Im Jahre 2012 transportierte Schanghaier Eisenbahn mehr als 336 Mio. Passagiere und 240 Mio. Tonnen Güter.

In der Tagesordnung der Beratung standen folgende Fragen:

- die Verbesserung und die Vorbereitung zur Ausgabe von der Sammlung „Bulletin der statistischen Daten der OSShD zum Eisenbahntransport für 2012";

- die Formierung von den Hauptkennziffern in Bezug auf die Funktionen der Eisenbahntransportkorridore von OSShD Nr. 1-13 für das Jahr 2012;

- die Aktualisierung von „Erläuterungen zur Füllung der elektronischen Tabellen von Statistiken";

- die Erörterung und Abstimmung des Entwurfes vom Arbeitsplan für das Jahr 2014 und des Entwurfes vom Arbeitsprogramm für das Jahr 2015 und für nachfolgende Jahre, sowie die anderen Fragen.

Nach der Erörterung, Abstimmung und Analyse von zusammengefassten Materialien „Wesentliche Statistiken im Bereich vom Eisenbahnverkehr" für das Jahr 2012, die vom führenden Bearbeiter, die Republik Usbekistan vertretend, vorbereitet sind, unterstrichen die Experten, dass die Betriebslänge von den Eisenbahnlinien im Jahre 2012 im Vergleich zum Jahr 2011 insgesamt um 315 km gewachsen ist und 280302 km betrug, und die Gesamtlänge von elektrifizierten Linien um 289 km gewachsen ist und 123042 km ausmachte. Im Jahre 2012 ver­minderte sich der Umfang vom Güterverkehr um 5,2% zum Niveau vom Jahr 2011 und machte 5865,7 Mio. Tonnen aus, der Güterumlauf wuchs um 1,5% auf und machte 5481,6 Mrd. tkm aus. Im Jahre 2012 wurden 3900 Mio. Passagiere transportiert, was um 0,8% mehr als im Jahre 2011 ausmachte, und die Per­sonenbeförderungsleistung verminderte sich um 0,6% und betrug 1199,8 Mrd. Per­sonenkilometer.

Der führende Bearbeiter von der Ukraine stellte zur Erörterung von den Teilnehmern der Expertenberatung die zusammengefassten Hauptkennziffern in Bezug auf die Funktionen der Eisenbahntransportkorridore von OSShD Nr. 1-13 für das Jahr 2012 vor. Nach der Erörterung und Abstimmung von den vorgestellten Angaben für das Jahr 2012 beschloss die Expertenberatung, die Kennziffern nach den Funktionen von jedem der Transportkorridore von OSShD Nrn. 1-13 im „Bulletin ..." als Schema, Tabelle und Diagramme zu veröffentlichen. Die Experten hörten sich den von den Vertretern der Russischen Föderation vorbereiteten Vortrag mit der Präsentation über den Lauf von der Arbeit an der Ausarbeitung des Entwurfes von methodischen Empfehlungen zur Feststellung vom Umfang des internationalen Güterverkehrs im Rahmen von den OSShD-Eisenbahntransportkorridoren (Einfuhr, Ausfuhr, Durchfuhr) an.

Die Expertenberatung beschloss, dass es zweckmäßig ist, die Tätigkeit der Zeitweiligen Arbeitsgruppe zur Verbesserung von den Tabellenformen für Statistiken und von der Erläuterungen dazu zwecks völliger Darstellung von Angaben, inklusive Informationen von allen Eisenbahngesellschaften und von den Leitern der Infrastruktur des Landes, fortzusetzen.

Der Vorsitzende der Statistikgruppe von UIC Roman Sterba stellte den Teilnehmern der Beratung die Information über die Tätigkeit der Statistikgruppe von UIC in Jahren 2012-2013.

Fragen der Eisenbahntransportpolitik der OSShD

Die Behandlung dieser Thematik erfolgte auf einer Expertenberatung vom 14. bis 16. Mai 2013 im Komitee der OSShD, an der die Vertreter der OSShD-Mitgliedsländer Belarus, Ungarn, Georgien, KDVR, Kirgistan, Moldau, Mongolei, Lettland, Litauen, Russland, Rumänien, Usbekistan, Ukraine, die VR als Beobachter der OSShD sowie der internationalen Organisationen: das CCTT, die UIC, als auch das Komitee der OSShD teilnahmen.

Im Verlauf der Beratung wurden Punkte erörtert, wie:

- Analyse der strategischen Entwicklungsrichtungen des Eisenbahnverkehrs der OSShD-Mitgliedsländer, Entwicklung der Logistik im Eisenbahnverkehr

- Analyse der Erfahrungen und Auswertung des Reformverlaufs im Eisenbahnverkehr der OSShD-Mitgliedsländer, normativ-rechtliche Grundlagen der Eisenbahnreformen

- Stand der Arbeiten der Kontaktgruppe OSShD/ ERA zum Zusammenwirken der Eisenbahnsys­teme mit den Spurweiten 1520 mm und 1435 mm

- Entwurf des Arbeitsplans der Kommission der OSShD für Transportpolitik und Entwicklungs­strategie für das Jahr 2014 und Entwurf des Arbeitsprogramms für 2015 und die Folgejahre.

Die Beratungsteilnehmer nahmen die Berichte der Vertreter der Republik Belarus, Ungarns, Georgiens, der Litauischen Republik, der Russischen Föderation, der Republik Usbekistan und der Ukraine über die strategischen Entwicklungsrichtungen im Eisenbahnverkehr in diesen Ländern sowie eine Präsentation zum Thema „Analyse der Erfahrungen und Auswertung des Reformverlaufs im Eisenbahnverkehr der OSShD-Mitgliedsländer. Normativ-rechtliche Grundlagen der Eisenbahnreformen", die die federführende Seite der Republik Kasachstan auf der Grundlage eines Fragebogens erstellt hatte, entgegen. Die Beratung hob hervor, dass im Zeitraum 2007­2013 von der Kontaktgruppe OSShD/ERA folgende Dokumente endgültig fertig gestellt wurden:

- Dokument 1 „Teilsystem: Infrastruktur. Oberbau und Oberbauwirtschaft"

- Dokument 2 „Energieversorgung"

- Dokument 3 „Sicherungstechnik und Fernmeldewesen"

- Dokument 5 „Reisezugwagen"

- Dokument 6 „Lokomotiven und Triebzüge". Die Expertenberatung nahm eine Präsentation des Vertreters der UIC zum Thema „Erarbeitung der Komponente 1520 für die Standardisierungsplattform" zur Kenntnis, in der auf die Notwendigkeit der weiteren Arbeit zur Untersuchung der Richtungen für eine Erhöhung der Interoperabilität der Eisenbahnsysteme mit den Spurweiten 1520 mm und 1435 mm verwiesen wurde.

Strategie der Entwicklung des Schnell- und

Hochgeschwindigkeitsverkehrs von Reisezügen in den Mitgliedsländern der OSShD

An der Expertenberatung zu diesem Thema, die in der Zeit vom 21. bis 22. Mai 2013 im Komitee der OSShD stattfand, nahmen die Vertreter folgender Mitgliedsländer der OSShD teil: China, Georgien, Moldova, Russland, Rumänien, Usbekistan und Ukraine sowie des Komitees der OSShD.

Auf der Tagesordnung der Beratung standen die folgenden Fragen:

- Verlauf der Realisierung des Entwicklungsprogramms des Schnell- und Hochgeschwindigkeitsverkehrs von Reisezügen in den Mitgliedsländern der OSShD;

- Behandlung der Materialien zur Vorbereitung abgestimmter Beschlüsse benachbarter Staaten zur Schaffung eines perspektivischen Netzes;

- Behandlung und Abstimmung des Entwurfs des Arbeitsplans für 2014 und des Arbeitsprogramms für 2015 und die Folgejahre.

Bei der Behandlung der Fragen wurde eine Information zum Thema „Strategie der Entwicklung des Schnell- und Hochgeschwindigkeitsverkehrs von Reisezügen in der Russischen Föderation für den Zeitraum bis 2030" entgegen genommen, die vom Vertreter der Aktiengesellschaft „Institut für Wirtschaft und Transportentwicklung" AG vorgetragen wurde, wie auch eine Information über die zukünftige Entwicklung des Schnell- und Hochgeschwindigkeit -Personenverkehrs bei den Eisenbahnen der Mitgliedsländer der OSShD für den Zeitraum bis 2020. Auf Grund von Schwierigkeiten bei der Bereitstellung einer aktualisierten Information zum Thema „Strategie der Entwicklung des Schnell- und Hochge­schwindigkeitsverkehrs von Reisezügen in den Mitgliedsländern der OSShD" wurde beschlossen, die themabezogenen Materialien einmal alle zwei Jahre zusammenzufassen und die nächste zusammengefasste Information 2015 auszuarbeiten. Gleichzeitig wurde vorgeschlagen, die Russische Föderation und die Volksrepublik China als Federführende Seiten zu diesem Thema beizubehalten.

 Es wurde für notwendig erachtet, eine Gesamtkarte der Bestandsnetze und perspektivischen Netze des Schnell- und Hochgeschwindigkeitverkehrs von Reisezügen in die Dokumentation einzuordnen. Der Aktiengesellschaft „Institut für Wirtschaft und Transportentwicklung" AG wurde vorgeschlagen, die Federführung zu dieser Frage zu übernehmen und den Entwurf eines solchen Plans bis Mitte Oktober 2013 vorzubereiten.

 Die Expertenberatung bat auch die chinesischen Fachleute um eine analoge Ausarbeitung einer Zusammenstellung der bestehenden und perspektivischen Netze (Karte) zur Entwicklung des Schnell- und Hochgeschindigkeitverkehrs von Reisezügen.

27. Sitzung der Kontaktgruppe OSShD/ERA

An der 27. Sitzung der Kontaktgruppe OSShD/ERA zum Thema „Zusammenarbeit zwischen ERA und OSShD bei der Analyse der gegenseitigen Beziehungen zwischen den zur EU und nicht zur EU gehören den Bahnsystemen mit den Spurweiten 1520/1524 mm und 1435 mm", die vom 4. bis 6. Juni 2013 im Komitee der OSShD stattfand, nahmen die Vertreter der OSShD-Mitgliedsländer Republik Belarus, Lettische Republik, Litauische Republik, Republik Polen, Russische Föderation, Ukraine sowie des Komitees der OSShD, der ERA, des Eisenbahntransportrates der Mitgliedsländer der GUS teil.

Während der Sitzung wurden folgende Fragen behandelt: Analyse des Teilsystems „Güterwagen", Analyse des Teilsystems „Sicherungstechnik und Fernmeldewesen", Analyse des Teilsystems „Betrieb" sowie Maßnahmen zur Aufrechterhaltung und Verbesserung der bestehenden technischen und betrieblichen Kompatibilität an der Grenze EU-GUS.

Im Rahmen der Vorbereitung auf die Arbeit am Dokument „Analyse... Teilsystem: Güterwagen" verfolgten und diskutierten die Sitzungsteilnehmer den Vortrag des Vertreters der ERA Dr. Andreas Schirmer zum Thema „Neue TSI für Güterwagen (Verordnung (EU) Nr. 321/2013)".

Zudem wurde den Sitzungsteilnehmern der von der ERA erarbeitete Entwurf einer Aufstellung über die grundlegenden Parameter der TSI WAG zur Vergleichsanalyse und ein in die russische Sprache übersetzter Textauszug der TSI WAG vorgestellt. Der Vertreter Lettlands informierte die Sitzungsteilnehmer über die an die ERA gerichteten Vorschläge der Lettischen Republik und der Litauischen Republik zu Punkt 4 des Dokumentes „Wechselwirkung der Außenanlagen der Sicherungstechnik mit anderen Teilsystemen" in der auf der 26. Sitzung erläuterten Fassung.

Die Sitzungsteilnehmer verfolgten den Vortrag des Vertreters der ERA Rafal Lipinski über die wissenschaftlich-technischen Projekte zur Elektromagnetischen Verträglichkeit, die im Rahmen der EU erarbeitet wurden. Geprüft wurde der Entwurf des Arbeitsdokumentes „Analyse... Teilsystem: Betrieb und Verkehrssteuerung" in der Version vom 17.05.2013. Unter Berücksichtigung der geführten Diskussion prüfen die Mitglieder der Kontaktgruppe diesen Dokumentenentwurf und richten ihn bis Ende August wie folgt an die ERA:

- Bemerkungen und Vorschläge zum Entwurf des Abschnitts 1 „Anwendungsbereich des Dokumentes",

- Präzisierte Information zu den Unterpunkten „Zugverband", „Wirksamkeit der Bremse", „Aufmerksamkeit des Triebfahrzeugführes", „Anforderungen an die Aufstellung der Signale und Orientierungszeichen entlang der Eisenbahnstrecke",

- präzisierte Liste der auf die Bezug genommenen Dokumente nach den entsprechenden Hauptparametern.

Der Vortrag des Vertreters der Ukraine Oleg Tkatschenko enthielt die wichtigsten und aktuellen Fragen zur „Bewertung der Konformität der Eisenbahnproduktion im Eisenbahnraum 1520".

Die Vertreter der ERA informierten die Sitzungsteilnehmer über die Organisation einer Informationsveranstaltung am 24. September 2013 unter der Arbeitsbezeichnung „Sicherheit im Eisenbahnverkehr und Interoperabilität in der Europäischen Union" im Rahmen der 28. Sitzung der Kontaktgruppe.

Die Sitzungsteilnehmer prüften den Entwurf des Glossars „...", ergänzt durch Angaben der Teilnehmer der Kontaktgruppe, und unterbreiteten den Vorschlag, die Aufstellung der vorhandenen Termini um die Begriffe „Gutabsender" und „Gutempfänger" zu ergänzen.

Zur Weiterführung der Arbeit im Rahmen der Kooperation zwischen der OSShD und der ERA geht den Mitgliedern der Kontaktgruppe bis September 2013 der Entwurf der Absichtserklärung (MoU) OSShD/ ERA für das Jahr 2014 zu.

Erarbeitung eines Fragenkomplexes zu Schienen, Schienenbefestigungen, zum lückenlosen Gleis, zur Mechanisierung von Gleisbauarbeiten

 In Peking, der Hauptstadt der VR China, fand vom 25. bis 28. Juni 2013 eine Expertenberatung der Kommission der OSShD für Infrastruktur und Fahrzeuge zum Unterthema „Erarbeitung eines Fragenkomplexes zu Schienen, Schienenbefestigungen, zum lückenlosen Gleis, zur Mechanisierung von Gleisbauarbeiten zum Thema „Eisenbahngleis und Kunstbauten" statt.

An der Beratung nahmen teil die Vertreter der OSShD-Eisenbahnen BC,MAV GAG, KZD, LDZ, RZD AG,ZSR, UZ, Vertreter von angegliederten Unternehmen der OSShD Weichenwerk Dnepropetrowsk AG (Ukraine), Weichenwerk Kertsch GmbH (Ukraine), Weichenwerk Murom AG (Russland) und der Eisenbahnforschungsinstitut AG (VUZ, Tschechien) sowie vom Komitee der OSShD.

Die Stellvertretende Direktorin des Departments für Internationale Zusammenarbeit Frau Liang Na überbrachte Grußworte von den Organisatoren dieser Beratung (vom Unternehmen „Chinesische Eisenbahnen"). Zudem informierte Frau Liang Na über die Entwicklung der Chinesischen Eisenbahnen im Sektor Hochgeschwindigkeitsverkehr und über die Bahnreform.

Auf der Beratung wurden folgende Fragen behandelt:

- berichtigtes Material „Aufbau und Instandhaltung des lückenlosen Gleises, darunter auf langen Brücken",

- Stand der Aktualisierung des Merkblatts R 745/1 „Elastische Schienenbefestigung mit Spannklemmen vom Typ Skl 12 (mit Unterlagsplatten) und Skl 14 (ohne Unterlagsplatten)",

- Erarbeitung einer neuen Anlage „Katalog der Fehler und Schäden an Schienen" zum Merkblatt R 736,

- Aktualisierung und Zusammenführung der Merkblätter:

• R 745 „Empfehlungen zur Präzisierung der technischen Forderungen für den Entwurf der elastischen Schienenbefestigungen", 2. Ausgabe vom 26.10.2007,

• R 746 „Erarbeitung der technischen Forderun­gen für den Entwurf elastischer Schienenbefestigungen unter modernen Bedingungen", 1. Ausgabe vom 08.10.1999,

- Erarbeitung des neuen Merkblattes „Empfehlungen zur Konstruktion, Verlegung und Instandhaltung des lückenlosen Gleises" auf der Grundlage der Zusammenführung der Merkblätter:

• R 700 „Empfehlungen zur Verlegung und Instandhaltung des lückenlosen Gleises", 3. Ausgabe vom 16.11.2003,

• R 701 „Wiederherstellung von Langschienen des lückenlosen Gleises bei Schienenbrüchen", 3. Ausgabe vom 08.10.1999,

• R 708/1 „Empfehlungen zur Konstruktion und Anwendung von Schienenauszügen in lückenlosen Gleisen auf Brücken", 2. Ausgabe vom 23.10.2009,

- Erarbeitung von Merkblattentwürfen „Vergleichsanalyse betrieblicher Charakteristika moderner Schienenbefestigungen" und „Feststellung und Analyse von Fehlern an Schienen und Weichenteilen mithilfe von 3D-Messschrieben, erstellt mit Schienenprüfgerät UDS2 RDM-23",

- Entwurf des Arbeitsplans zum genannten Unterthema für 2014 u. a.

Nach Erörterung des Standes der Arbeiten zum Thema „Aufbau und Instandhaltung des lückenlosen Gleises, darunter auf langen Brücken" schätzte die Expertenberatung die Arbeit zu diesem Material als abgeschlossen ein, beschloss aber aufgrund der Bedeutung des lückenlosen Gleises auf Brücken, die Arbeit auf diesem Gebiet fortzusetzen und auf der Grundlage der gemachten Anmerkungen ein Merkblattentwurf „Aufbau des lückenlosen Gleises auf langen Brücken" zu erarbeiten.

Nach Sichtung des Materials „Katalog der Fehler und Schäden an Schienen" empfahl die Expertenberatung, diesen Katalog als Anlage A zum Merkblatt R 736 zur Bestätigung vorzulegen und für den Arbeitsplan 2014 die Erarbeitung einer zusätzlichen Anlage B zum Merkblatt R 736 vorzusehen, in die alle die Schienenfehler aufgenommen werden, die in Anlage A nicht berücksichtigt wurden.

Nach dem die Expertenberatung den Stand der Erarbeitung des Merkblattentwurfs „Technische Forderungen für den Entwurf von Schienenbefestigungen des Eisenbahngleises" zur Kenntnis genommen und erörtert hat, der die bestehenden Merkblätter R 745 und R 746 zusammenführt und ergänzt, fasste die Expertenberatung den Beschluss, das neue Merkblatt unter dieser Bezeichnung zur Bestätigung zu empfehlen, ihm die Nummer R 745 (1. Ausgabe) zu geben sowie folgende Merkblätter aufzuheben:

- R 745 „Empfehlungen zur Präzisierung der technischen Forderungen für den Entwurf von elastischen Schienenbefestigungen", 2. Ausgabe vom 26.10.2007,

- R 746 „Erarbeitung der technischen Forderungen für den Entwurf elastischer Schienenbefestigungen unter modernen Bedingungen", 1. Ausgabe vom 08.10.1999.

Die Expertenberatung nahm zur Kenntnis und bestätigte den Erarbeitungsstand des Merkblattentwurfs „Vergleichsanalyse der betrieblichen Charakteristika moderner Schienenbefestigungen" und empfahl, ihn als empfehlendes Merkblatt unter der Nummer R 746 (1. Ausgabe) zur Bestätigung vorzulegen.

Der Direktor des „Zentralen Büros für die Inspektion des Oberbaus" der MAV Beli Jänos schnitt in seiner Präsentation „Oberflächenschäden aufgrund Rollkontaktermüdung (RCF)" folgende Themen an:

• Überblick über die Entstehungstheorie der RCF,

• Ursachen der Entstehung von RCF-Schäden,

• Arten der RCF-Schäden und charakteristische Entstehungsorte,

• Möglichkeiten der Feststellung der Schäden,

• Bewertung der Schäden,

• Prophylaxe der Entstehung von RCF-Oberflächenschäden, Instandsetzungstechnologie.

Fragen der Kodierung und Informatik

Ein Gemeinsames Seminar der OSShD/UIC zur Thematik „IT-Unterstützung des Güter- und Personenverkehrs / Technische Spezifikationen Interoperabilität (TAF TSI und TAP TSI) fand am 28. Mai 2013 in Helsinki, der Hauptstadt Finnlands, statt.

Am Seminar nahmen teil 42 Experten der

- OSShD-Bahnen MAV GAG, NK KTZ AG, LDZ, LG, MZD, PKP AG, CFR, ZSSK, ZSR, UZ, EVR,

- die Beobachter der OSShD DB AG, VR

- die angegliederten Unternehmen JERID (OLTIS Group), CTM,

- die internationalen Organisationen UIC, ERA, Komitee der OSShD,

- Vertreter von IT-Unternehmen, darunter HITRAIL.

Im Namen der VR begrüßte die Seniorvizepräsidentin der VR Group Paivi Minkkinen die Seminarteilnehmer und berichtete über die 150-jährige Entwicklungsgeschichte sowie die modernen Errungenschaften der Finnischen Eisenbahn.

Sie stellte fest, dass der Verkehr auf der Schiene in Finnland im März 1862 mit der Eröffnung des planmäßigen Eisenbahnverkehrs zwischen Helsinki und Hämeenlinna begann. Seit diesem Zeitpunkt bildete die Staatseisenbahn die Wirtschaft, die soziale Struktur und die Kultur Finnlands heraus. Es erhöhte sich der Umfang der per Schiene beförderten Güter und Reisenden. Schrittweise wurden die Dampflokomotiven durch Diesellokomotiven und später durch Elloks ersetzt. 1995 wurde die Staatseisenbahn in eine Aktiengesellschaft (Konzern VR Group) umgewandelt, der im vergangenen Jahr folgende Kennzahlen erzielen konnte:

• der Jahresumsatz betrug 1.437,8 Mio. EUR,

• die Anzahl der Fahrten mit der Bahn erreichte 69,3 Mio.,

• die Güterbeförderungsmenge bei der Eisenbahn wies 35,3 Mio. t aus, während die Güterbeförderungsmenge auf der Straße 7 Mio. t betrug.

Die VR ist stolz auf die erfolgreiche Einführung der TAF TSI und TAP TSI, die im Laufe des Jahres 2012 erfolgte. Mit der Entwicklung der papierlosen Technologie begann die VR im Jahr 1994, 2007 folgte der elektronische Austausch von Transportdokumenten mit Russland, 2011 die Datenübergabe zu Leerwagen zwischen Russland und Finnland, für 2013 ist die Einführung eines analogen Systems für beladene Wagen geplant.

Eingehend auf Fragen der Zollformalitäten unterstrich Paivi Minkkinen, dass der Konzern VR Group das erste Eisenbahnunternehmen in der Europäischen Union ist, dem der Status eines Zugelassenen Wirtschaftsbeteiligten (AEO) verliehen wurde. Fest etabliert sind bei der Finnischen Eisenbahn alle Zollmeldungen sowohl für den Export als auch den Import nach/aus Ländern, die nicht zur EU gehören. Der Datenaustausch erfolgt ausschließlich in elektronischer Form.

Der Vertreter der ERA Idriss Pagand hielt einen Vortrag zum Thema „TSI OPE mit dem Schwerpunkt auf Anlage P". Er erläuterte den Inhalt des Dokumentes „TSI OPE" und die Vorschläge zu ihrer Weiterentwicklung, die im Jahr 2014 abgeschlossen sein soll. Anlage P zu den TSI OPE enthält die europäische Norm zur Kennzeichnung von Güterwagen im internationalen Verkehr. Die Weiterentwicklung des Systems ist ausgerichtet auf eine IT-Unterstützung durch Daten aus nationalen Registern für Schienenfahrzeuge.

Im Weiteren informierte er über das Thema „Bericht über die Einführung der TAF TSI und ihre Revisionen". In seinem Vortrag ging er auf die Projektgruppe der Experten der ERA zur Revision der TAF TSI ein, verwies auf die entsprechenden Beschlüsse der verantwortlichen Stellen und die Fristen zu ihrer Umsetzung und berichtete über die erreichten Ergebnisse. Zum Thema „Telematikanwendungen für den Personenverkehr. Technische Spezifikation für die Interoperabilität TAP TSI" stellte Idriss Pagand fest, dass an der Erarbeitung der TAP TSI folgende neun Organisationen und Unternehmen beteiligt sind: EU, ERA, IM, PRM, RISC, RU, TAP TSI, TD ERA, CEN. Die TAP TSI stellen praktisch einen programmtechni­schen Anhang auf der Basis folgender grundlegender Europäischer Rechtsdokumente dar:

- „Verordnung (EG) Nr. 1371/2007 des Europäischen Parlaments und des Rates über die Rechte und Pflichten der Fahrgäste im Eisenbahnverkehr (Art. 10 und Anhang II)",

- „Verordnung (EG) Nr. 1371/2007 des Europäischen Parlaments und des Rates über die Rechte und Pflichten der Fahrgäste im Eisenbahnverkehr" und

- „Richtlinie 2008/57/EG über die Interoperabilität des konventionellen transeuropäischen Eisenbahnsystems (Anhang II/-2.5. Telematikanwendungen)". Die Einführung soll laut ausgearbeittem Plan zum ersten Quartal 2016 erfolgen.

Der Vertreter der UIC John Lutz referierte in seiner Präsentation zum Thema „Sachstand zu den TAF TSI und nächste Schritte". Im Januar 2013 stimmte die Europäische Kommission einen konsolidierten Steuerungsplan ab, da es nicht gelang, den Plan aus dem Jahr 2007 mit Leben zu erfüllen. Der neue Plan wurde auf der Grundlage der Vorstellungen von 58 Beförderungsunternehmen erarbeitet, deren Gesamtanteil an EU-weiten Beförderungen 85% ausmacht. Für das Jahr 2014 ist der Start solcher gewichtigen Phasen wie Reference files population und Common Interface Implementation geplant. Der Prozess der Einführung der TAF TSI erfolgt in elf Phasen bis zum Jahr 2021. In der Präsentation des Vertreters der DB AG Rütger Fenkes zum Thema „Stand des Projektes TAP TSI" wurden detailliert solche Fragen betrachtet wie

• Anmerkungen zur ersten Phase der Einführung der TAP TSI,

• geplante und erreichte Ergebnisse,

• Stand der laufenden Arbeiten, die auf die Erweiterung des Leistungsspektrums abzielen,

• nächste Schritte.

Rund 40 Eisenbahnunternehmen (RU) und Infrastrukturbetreiber (IM) stellten ihre eigenen Pläne zur Einführung im April 2013 vor. Die Anwendung TAP TSI ist bereits bei 82% der IM und 95% der RU eingeführt.

In seinem Vortrag zum Thema „HERMES-Datenübertragungsnetz und seine Dienstleistungen" stellte Mick Haynes von HITRAIL fest, dass gegenwärtig die Dienstleistungen des HERMES-Netzes auf über 40 Webseiten von Eisenbahnunternehmen in 23 Ländern bereitgestellt werden. Bei der DB AG beispielsweise werden vier Anwendungen im Personenverkehr, acht Anwendungen im Güterverkehr und drei Anwendungen in der Infrastruktur genutzt. Es bestehen einige internationale Verbindungen auf zweiseitiger Basis für spezielle Zwecke. Es wird ein Dienst erarbeitet, der künftig die Umwandlung von XML-Protokollen in das TSI Common Interface und zurück ermöglicht. Im Vortrag von Jozef Fejfar (OLTIS Group) ging es um die Erfahrungen TAF/TAP TSI bei den Eisenbahnunternehmen (RU) und Infrastrukturbetreibern (IM) in den mitteleuropäischen Ländern. Berichtet wurde über Erfahrungen hinsichtlich der Anwendung von Rechtsvorschriften, der TAF TSI, TAP TSI, der Identifizierung von Objekten, von Datenbankdateien und des Common Interface. Im Vortrag kamen zur Sprache solche Punkte wie „Marketingtätigkeit der IM", „Anmeldung und Aktivierung von Zugtrassen", „Vorbereitung des Zuges zur Abfahrt", „Führung des Schichtplans der Lokomotivbrigaden", „Zuglauf, Aufenthalte und Fahrzeitplanung", „Bepreisung von Zugtrassen", „Datenaustausch zur Verbesserung der Qualität der Dienstleistungen für die Kunden", „Normative Nutzungsdauer eines Reisezuges aus der Sicht des IM und des RU", „Kundeninformation auf den Bahnhöfen".

Kairat Rsymbetov (NK KTZ AG) stellte in seinem Vortrag zum Thema „IT-Unterstützung des Transport-und Logistikoperateurs" heraus, dass das Ziel dieser Unterstützung in der Schaffung eines automatisierten Steuerungssystems „Logistik" für einen zuverlässigen und pünktlichen IT-Service der Transport- und Logistikleistungen besteht. In diesem Bereich stehen folgende Aufgaben an:

- IT-Unterstützung für den „Haus-zu-Haus"-Verkehr:

- Vormeldung der Güterströme an Grenzpersonal, Spediteure u. a.,

- Schaffung eines einheitlichen technologischen Dokumentenumlaufs im Transportwesen,

- Automatisierung von Bankdienstleistungen hinsichtlich der Bezahlung von Transporten,

- Einführung und Organisation von „grünen Korridoren",

- Anhebung des LPI-Rankings Kasachstans mittels Automatisierung.

Ebenfalls wurden von ihm angesprochen die bestehenden Probleme bei Transporten, die allen Verkehrsträgern eigen sind. Weiterhin ging er ein auf die Situation bei der Organisation der Transportkette zwischen China und Europa sowie den laufenden Stand der Geschäftsprozesse beim Zusammenwirken der Transportteilnehmer.

Die Präsentation von Jarosław Majchrzak (PKP PLK) zum Thema „Einführung von TAF/TAP TSI bei der PKP PLK" vermittelte grundlegende Daten der PKP PLK in diesem Bereich, den Masterplan zur Einführung von TAF/TAP TSI, das Zuginformationssystem (TIS), das die Daten über die Zustellung der Meldungen TAF TSI und TAF TSI CCG (licencing program) gewährleistet. Im Ergebnis der Debatte und des Erfahrungsaustauschs wurde den Seminarteilnehmern die Möglichkeit eingeräumt, sich intensiver mit der Problematik der IT-Unterstützung im Güter- und Personenverkehrs vertraut zu machen und die nächsten Schritte zur Verbesserung der Arbeit in diesem Bereich festzulegen.

Auf der 67. Sitzung der Gemeinsamen Gruppe der OSShD/UIC „Kodierung und Informatik", die vom 29. bis 30. Mai im Anschluss an das Gemeinsame Seminar in Helsinki stattfand, wurden die Gemeinsamen Merkblätter OSShD/UIC im Bereich Kodierung und Informatik sowie das Einheitliche System zur Kennzeichnung von Güterwagen erörtert. Die Gemeinsame Gruppe nahm die Information der UIC zur Kenntnis, dass die Arbeit am neuen Wagenkennzeichnungssystem beendet wurde. Es wurde auf dieser Grundlage vorgeschlagen, dass während der Übertragung von Wagen mit bestehender 8-stelligen Kennzeichnung die Bestimmungen des neuen

gemeinsamen OSJD/UIC-Merkblattes 402 "Unifiziertes Elektronisches Datenaustausch während der Übertragung von Güterwagen aus Spurweite 1520 mm zu Spurweite 1435 mm und in der entgegengesetzten Richtung" in die Praxis umzusetzen.

Den Verkehrsministern und Eisenbahnunternehmen, die das 8-stellige Wagenkennzeichnungssystem verwenden, wird zur Prüfung die Variante vorgeschlagen, den Schienenfahrzeugen, die im internationalen Eisenbahnverkehr nach den EU-Mitgliedsländern eingesetzt werden, 12-stellige Wagennummern zuzuteilen. In der Debatte über den Status der Informationsdaten in den Datenbanken ENEE/RICS und der Einheitlichen Informationsdatenbank (CRD) wurde festgestellt, dass die CRD gemäß den Normativen der technischen Spezifikation für Interoperabilität - Telematikanwendungen Güterverkehr (TAF TSI) anzuwenden ist; diese enthält Informationsdaten der Länder, Unternehmen und Dienstobjekte. Die UIC erklärte, dass die Einheitliche Informationsdatenbank (CRD) nunmehr verbindlich ist und einige Rechtssubjekte der Länder bereits begonnen haben, die Datenbank mit Informationen über Dienstobjekte zu füllen. Die CRD ersetzt die technisch veraltete Datenbank ENEE, wodurch keine Veränderung am Merkblatt 920-2 erforderlich wird.

Die 1. Sitzung der SAG des RID-Fachausschusses 

Vom 12. bis 15. November 2012 fand in Riga (Republik Lettland) die 1. Sitzung Ständiger Arbeitsgruppe des Fachausschusses für die Eisenbahnbeförderung gefährlicher Güter (RID*) und gemeinsame Beratung der Experten SMGS und RID statt.

An der Beratung haben die Vertreter teilgenommen: von Österreich, Belgien, Bulgarien, Großbritannien, Deutschland, Dänemark, Italien, Lettland, Litauen, Luxemburg, der Niederlande, Polen, Russland, der Slowakei, der Ukraine, Finnland, Frankreich, Kroatien, der Tschechischen Republik, Schweden, der Schweiz und Estland. Außerdem nahmen internationale Organisationen teil: Komitee der OSShD, Europäische Kommission, Europäische Eisenbahnagentur (ERA), Europäischer Rat für chemische Industrie (CEFIC), Internationaler Eisenbahnverband (UIC), Internationaler Verband der Besitzer von privaten Güterwagen (UIP) und Internationale Vereinigung der Gesellschaften für den kombinierten Verkehr (UIRR). Russland nahm als Mitglied des Staates OTIF teil, der zurzeit RID nicht verwendet.

Ein der Stichpunkte einer umfangreichen Tagesordnung wurde der Harmonisierung der Vorschriften über die Beförderung gefährlicher Güter (RID) und Anlage 2 zu SMGS gewidmet. Im Artikel werden die Hauptmomente der gemeinsamen Beratung der Experten SMGS und RID betrachtet.

Kennzeichnung von Wagen mit der Notfallkartennummer gemäß Anlage 2 zum SMGS

In ihrem gemeinsamen Dokument INF.7 beantragen die Slowakei und die Tschechische Republik, bei Beförderungen von SMGS-Vertragsstaaten in RID-Vertragsstaaten die Angabe der gemäß Anlage 2 zum SMGS vorgeschriebenen Nummer der Notfallkarte in der unteren Hälfte des Großzettels (Placard) zuzulassen.

Der Vertreter Lettlands macht in seinem informellen Dokument INF.12 auf eine Rechtsänderung in der Ausgabe 2013 der Anlage 2 zum SMGS aufmerksam. Danach sei die Angabe der Nummer der Notfallkarte in der unteren Hälfte des Großzettels (Placards) nur bei Wagen, Kesselwagen und Batteriewagen, nicht jedoch bei multimodal verwendeten Großcontainern, ortsbeweglichen Tanks, Tankcontainern und MEGC möglich. Die Bemerkung zu Absatz 5.3.7.1 (a) der Anlage 2 zum SMGS schließe darüber hinaus auch bei Beförderungen in Wagen, Kesselwagen und Batteriewagen in oder durch die Hoheitsgebiete Lettlands, Litauens, Polens und Estlands diese Angabe auf dem Großzettel (Placard) aus.

Auf Vorschlag des Vertreters Russlands wird an die OSShD die Bitte gerichtet, die Bemerkung zu Absatz 5.3.7.1 (a) der Anlage 2 zum SMGS so zu ändern, dass bei Beförderungen in oder durch das Hoheitsgebiet von Staaten, die das RID anwenden, die Nummer der Notfallkarte auf einer getrennten weißen Tafel angegeben werden muss.

Angaben im Beförderungspapier in russischer Sprache

Die Slowakei und die Tschechische Republik beantragen in ihrem gemeinsamen Dokument INF.8, bei Beförderungen von SMGS-Vertragsstaaten in RID-Vertragsstaaten im CIM/SMGS-Frachtbrief zusätzlich Angaben in russischer Sprache vorzuschreiben. Die Frage der Verwendung der russischen Sprache wird bereits im Handbuch GLV CIM/SMGS des CIT geregelt. Der Vorsitzende weist darauf hin, dass das RID bereits heute Schnittstellen zu anderen Verkehrsträgern regele. So werde in Abschnitt 5.4.2 RID die Ausstellung eines Container-/Fahrzeugpackzertifikats geregelt, das nur für eine nachfolgende Seebeförderung notwendig sei. In gleicher Weise könnte auch in Absatz 5.4.1.4.1 eine Aussage zum Übergang in einen anderen Rechtsbereich getroffen werden. Da eine abweichende Sprachenregelung auch für die Beförderungsrichtung West-Ost in die Anlage 2 zum SMGS aufgenommen werden müsste, wird vereinbart, diese Angelegenheit zunächst in der für die Anlage 2 zuständigen Arbeitsgruppe der OSShD zu regeln und anschließend auf der Grundlage eines neuen Dokuments bei der nächsten Sitzung der ständigen Arbeitsgruppe des RID-Fachausschusses darauf zurückzukommen.

Grundlegende Unterschiede zwischen den Ausga­ben 2011 der Anlage 2 zum SMGS und des RID

Der Vorsitzende dankt zunächst der OSShD für die geleistete Arbeit, die neue Struktur des RID auch in die Anlage 2 zum SMGS zu übernehmen. Er erläutert anschließend die Funktionsweise des RID-Fachausschusses. Eine Änderung der Vorgaben aus den weltweit und multimodal geltenden UN-Empfehlungen für die Beförderung gefährlicher Güter und die von der Gemeinsamen RID/ADR**/ADN***-Tagung für die anderen Verkehrsträger entwickelten europäischen Vorschriften für die Beförderung gefährlicher Güter könne der RID-Fachausschuss nicht vornehmen. Daneben rührten einige Bestimmungen aus der Harmonisierung mit dem EU-Recht her, da die EU-Mitgliedsstaaten für den nationalen Verkehr keine eigenen Gefahrgutvorschriften mehr zur Anwendung bringen könnten. Der RID-Fachausschuss könne deshalb ausschließlich solche Fragen diskutieren, die mit der europäischen Eisenbahnbeförderung zusammen­hängen. Im Zusammenhang mit der Harmonisierung der Anlage 2 zum SMGS und des RID könne die Ständige Arbeitsgruppe des RID-Fachausschusses lediglich Vorschläge unterbreiten, an welchen Stellen eine Anpassung der Anlage 2 zum SMGS vorgenommen werden sollte, oder selbst Änderungen des RID vornehmen.

Der Vertreter der OSShD erklärt, dass seine Organisation bereit sei, alle Vorschläge der Arbeitsgruppe zur Beseitigung von Unterschieden zu prüfen, um den eurasischen Eisenbahnverkehr zu erleichtern. Der Vertreter der Europäischen Kommission weist darauf hin, dass die Richtlinie 2008/68 besondere Vorschriften für EU-Mitgliedstaaten enthält, die sowohl das RID als auch die Anlage 2 zum SMGS anwenden. Eine Minimierung der Unterschiede zwischen beiden Rechtsregimen sei auch im Interesse der Europäischen Kommission.

Unterabschnitt 1.4.1.3

Im RID werden nicht nur den Hauptbeteiligten (Absender, Beförderer, Empfänger), sondern auch verschiedenen Nebenbeteiligten klare Pflichten zugeteilt. Um zu starke Eingriffe in die nationale Gesetzgebung zu vermeiden, können von den Mitgliedsstaaten Abweichungen bei der Pflichtenzuteilung vorgenommen werden. Aus Gründen der Transparenz müssen diese jedoch dem Sekretariat der OTIF mitgeteilt werden, damit die übrigen Staaten Kenntnis davon erlangen.

Der Vertreter Russlands erklärt, dass strukturelle Reformen in den entsprechenden russischen Vorschriften dazu führen könnten, dass neben den drei Hauptbeteiligten auch andere Nebenbeteiligte eingeführt würden.

Unterabschnitt 1.5.1.1

Der Abschluss multilateraler Sondervereinbarungen des RID, mit denen Rechtsänderungen umgesetzt werden können, ist nur zwischen den staatlichen Organen der Mitgliedsstaaten, nicht aber wie in der Anlage 2 zum SMGS zwischen den verschiedenen Wirtschaftsbeteiligten möglich. Auf die Frage des Vorsitzenden, ob die nach Anlage 2 des SMGS zwischen verschiedenen Wirtschaftsbeteiligten abgeschlossenen zeitweiligen Abweichungen auch für EU-Mitgliedsstaaten zulässig seien, erklärt der Vertreter der Europäischen Kommission, dass die Richtlinie 2008/68/ EG dies ermögliche, sofern ein gleichwertiger Sicherheitsstandard gewahrt bleibe.

Übergangsvorschriften des Kapitels 1.6  

Der Vertreter Lettlands erläutert, dass die allgemeine Übergangsvorschrift in Unterabschnitt 1.6.1.1 die Anwendung der alten Vorschriften jeweils bis zum 31. Dezember des Jahres ermögliche, in denen die Inkraftsetzung der neuen Vorschriften erfolgt. Dies hänge damit zusammen, dass die neuen Vorschriften der Anlage 2 zum SMGS im Gegensatz zum RID jeweils erst zum 1. Juli der ungeraden Jahre in Kraft gesetzt würden. Er kündigt an, dass in die Ausgabe 2013 der Anlage 2 zum SMGS Vorschriften aufgenommen würden, um die bisher ausgeschlossene Verwendung von RID-Tankcontainern älterer Produktion zuzulassen.

Die Arbeitsgruppe bat das Komitee der OSShD um zusätzliche Prüfung, ob die Inkraftsetzung der neuen Vorschriften der Anlage 2 zum SMGS nach dem Beispiel des Internationalen Codes für die Beförderung gefährlicher Güter mit Seeschiffen (IMDG-Codes) am 1. Januar der ungeraden Jahre erfolgen könnte. Dies sei für das abgestimmte Vorgehen aller am Beförderungsprozess von gefährlichen Gütern Beteiligter und vor dem Hintergrund der Tatsache, dass große Unternehmen im RID-Bereich bereits zum 1. Januar auf die neuen Vorschriften umstellen, von großer

Kapitel 1.10

Die Arbeitsgruppe regt eine Prüfung an, ob eine Anwendung des Kapitels 1.10, das dem Kapitel 1.4 der UN-Modellvorschriften entspricht, nicht auch für die OSShD-Mitgliedsstaaten sinnvoll und notwendig ist.

Kapitel 3.2 Tabelle A Spalten 21a, 21b und 21c  

Die Spalten 21a, 21b und 21c der Tabelle A des Kapitels 3.2 der Anlage 2 zum SMGS enthalten codierte Vorschriften betreffend die Notfallkartennummer, den Mindestschutzabstand und die Bedingungen für Ablaufmanöver. Das RID enthält im Gegensatz dazu schriftliche Weisungen gemäß Abschnitt 5.4.3, die sich allerdings nur an den Triebfahrzeugführer, nicht jedoch an die Einsatzkräfte richten, die Vorschriften für den Schutzabstand in Abschnitt 7.5.3, die nur für Stoffe der Klasse 1 gelten, und in Kapitel 3.2 Tabelle A Spalte 5 die Angabe, ob ein Rangierzettel nach Muster 13 oder 15 vorgeschrieben ist. Es wird festgestellt, dass gegenwärtig eine Harmonisierung bei diesen drei Spalten nicht realisierbar ist, dass aber zumindest die RID-Vertragsstaaten Ungarn, Polen und die Slowakei von der Anwendung der genannten Vorschriften ausgenommen sind.

Kapitel 3.3 Sondervorschrift 274  

Es wird daran erinnert, dass die Zuordnung der Sondervorschrift 274 zwischen den UN-Modellvorschriften, dem IMDG-Code und dem RID/ADR/ADN harmonisiert und diese Sondervorschrift im RID in der Folge bei den UN-Nummern 2985, 2986

und 2988 gestrichen wurde. Von den Experten der OSShD wird festgestellt, dass für die UN-Nummern 2985 und 2988 in Abhängigkeit von der technischen Benennung die Sondervorschrift CW 65 in Abschnitt 7.5.11 der Anlage 2 zum SMGS zu beachten ist. Es wird vereinbart, diese Frage vorerst zurückzustellen. Sollte die Prüfung ergeben, dass für die verschiedenen technischen Benennungen dieser UN-Nummern unterschiedliche Notfallmaßnahmen erforderlich werden, sollte der Gemeinsamen Tagung ein entsprechender Antrag unterbreitet werden.

Kapitel 3.3 Sondervorschrift 800  

Die in der Anlage 2 zum SMGS den UN-Nummern 1381 und 2447 (Phosphor) zusätzlich zugeordnete Sondervorschrift 800 fordert die Angabe des verwendeten Schutzmittels im Beförderungspapier. Da es sich bei diesen Transportleistungen um zusätzliche Eisenbahntransportleistungen handelt, die auch die RID-Vertragsstaaten berühren und deshalb auch eine Regelung im RID sinnvoll sein könnte, wird vereinbart, dass Lettland zunächst eine Diskussion mit anderen SMGS-Mitgliedstaaten führt und dann der Arbeitsgruppe einen Antrag unterbreitet.

Kapitel 3.4

Der Vorsitzende erinnert daran, dass die Vorschriften für begrenzte nach langer Vorarbeit 2011 endlich harmonisiert werden konnten. So würden die gleichen Vorschriften auch für das ADR gelten, dessen Vertragspartei Russland sei. Vor diesem Hintergrund und auf Grund der Tatsache, dass die Vorschriften für begrenzte Mengen in der Vergangenheit immer wieder zu Problemen geführt haben, appelliert er daran, die für die GUS-Staaten geltenden schärferen Vorschriften nochmals zu überprüfen.

Verpackungsanweisungen P 002 und IBC 07  

Bei Beförderungen von UN 1680 Kaliumcyanid, fest und von UN 1689 Natriumcyanid, fest, in oder durch

das Hoheitsgebiet von Kasachstan, Russland, der Ukraine und Belarus dürfen keine Großpackmittel (IBC) verwendet werden, und Einzelverpackungen müssen eine zusätzliche dichte Beschichtung aufweisen.

Die Vertreterin der Ukraine erläuterte, dass diese zusätzliche Anforderung auf der Grundlage nationaler Standards aufgenommen worden sei, räumt aber ein, dass eine erneute Diskussion erforderlich sei, um eine Harmonisierung mit den anderen Vorschriften zu erreichen.

Verpackungsanweisung P 801a

Der Vertreter Russlands erläutert, dass der Ausschluss der Beförderung von gebrauchten Batterien (Akkumulatoren) der UN-Nummern 2794, 2795, 2800 und 3028 in Wagen mit Decken und in bedeckten Containern in oder durch das Hoheitsgebiet Kasachstans, Russlands, Usbekistans und Belarus im Zusammenhang mit den Ausschlüssen in Kapitel 7.2 der Anlage 2 zum SMGS zu betrachten sei und aus Gründen des Diebstahlschutzes bestehe. In der Ausgabe 2013 hingegen werde eine Beförderung in Wagen mit Decken und in bedeckten Containern auf der Grundlage von Vereinbarungen zugelassen.

Sondervorschrift TP 60

Die nur in der Anlage 2 zum SMGS bestehende Sondervorschrift TP60 sagt aus, dass die Beförderung von Kältemitteln der UN-Nummern 1009, 2035, 3220 und 3252 in ortsbeweglichen Tanks in oder durch das Hoheitsgebiet Kasachstans, Russlands, der Ukraine oder der Republik Belarus untersagt ist. Der Vertreter Russlands erklärt, dass die Sondervorschrift TP 60 für die Ausgabe 2015 überarbeitet und gegebenenfalls gestrichen werden sollte. Da die Vorschriften für ortsbewegliche Tanks, die weltweit für die härtesten Anforderungen ausgelegt seien, verkehrsträgerübergreifend harmonisiert seien, bestünden keine Gründe für die weitere Aufrechterhaltung der Sondervorschrift TP 60.

Absatz 4.3.2.1.6

Im RID ist die wechselseitige Verwendung von Tanks für die Beförderung von Nahrungsmitteln und gefährlichen Gütern grundsätzlich erlaubt. Der Absatz 4.3.2.1.6 der Anlage 2 zum SMGS enthält eine Fußnote, welche die Beförderung von Nahrungsmitteln aus oder nach Kasachstan oder in die Russischen Föderation in Tanks, die auch für die Beförderung gefährlicher Güter verwendet werden, ausschließt. Es gibt allerdings auch Nahrungsmittel, die gleichzeitig auch Gefahrgut sind (z.B. Alkohol, Essig, Phosphorsäure, die für die Herstellung von Cola verwendet wird).

Der Vertreter der Russischen Föderation räumt ein, dass der Text der Fußnote in der Anlage 2 zum SMGS umformuliert werden müsse. In der Tat sollt zwischen Tanks, die für die Beförderung aller Arten gefährlicher Güter verwendet werden und solchen, die nur für die Beförderung von Nahrungsmitteln eingesetzt werden, die gleichzeitig Gefahrgut sind, unterschieden werden. Auf der anderen Seite könnte auch eine Änderung des RID/ADR-Textes ins Auge gefasst werden, da für die Beförderung solcher Nahrungsmittel nach EU-Recht nur Lebensmitteltanks verwendet werden dürfen.

Absatz 4.3.2.2.4

Während das RID die Ausrüstung von Tanks zur Beförderung flüssiger Stoffe mit Trenn- oder Schwallwänden oder alternativ eine Mindestbefüllung von 80% bzw. eine Maximalbefüllung von 20% des Fassungsraumes nur für Tankcontainer kennt, sieht die Anlage 2 zum SMGS diese Anforderung auch für Kesselwagen vor. Nach Aussage der Vertreter Polens und der Russischen Föderation gehen dieses Anforderungen einerseits auf Unfälle, bei denen die Kesselwagen aus Gewichtsgründen nicht vollständig befüllt waren, und andererseits auf die unterschiedlichen Bauvorschriften für Kesselwagen der Spurweite 1520 mm zurück, die bedingt durch den größeren Tankradius einen von den Normalspur­Kesselwagen abweichenden Schwerpunkt aufweisen.

Der Vertreter der UIC erinnert daran, dass ein Untersuchungsbericht aus den 1960er Jahren zur Demontage der Schwallwände geführt habe. Hintergründe seien Probleme bei der Befestigung der Schwallwände, Spannungsrisse und ungünstige Auswirkungen auf den Tankkörper gewesen. Die Arbeitsgruppe beschließt, diese Frage erneut in der Arbeitsgruppe

„Tank- und Fahrzeugtechnik" auf der Grundlage des damaligen Berichts der UIC und unter Teilnahme interessierter SMGS-Vertragsstaaten vertieft zu prüfen.

Absatz 4.3.2.3.6

Dieser Absatz, der die Beförderung von miteinander gefährlich reagierenden Stoffen in Mehrkammertanks regelt, ist in beiden Regelwerken unterschiedlich formuliert, führt aber zu demselben Ziel. Jedoch wird durch eine Bemerkung in der Anlage 2 zum SMGS bei der Beförderung in der Russischen Föderation eine Trennung von befüllten Abteilen durch leere Abteile nicht erlaubt.

Da eine Beförderung in Mehrkammertanks im Eisenbahnverkehr äußerst selten erfolgt, hat diese Frage keine große Bedeutung, so dass der Unterschied, der nach Aussage des Vertreters der Russischen Föderation der Vermeidung von Unfällen dient, beibehalten werden kann.

Absatz 4.3.2.3.7

Die Beförderung von großen Tankcontainern, die für Längsträgheitskräfte von Rg 2 (wobei R die höchste Nettomasse des Tankcontainers und g die Erdbeschleunigung ist) ausgelegt sind, darf gemäß der Anlage 2 zum SMGS auf Schienenstrecken der Spurweite 1520 mm nur auf der Grundlage von Sondervereinbarungen durchgeführt werden. Keine Einschränkungen bestehen hingegen für ortsbewegliche Tanks die in Längsrichtung dem Zweifachen der maximal zulässigen Masse, multipliziert mit der Erdbeschleunigung, widerstehen müssen. Diese Frage wird nochmals in Zusammenhang mit der Auslegung der Forderungen in Kapitel 6.8 diskutiert werden.

Absatz 4.3.2.3.8

Wegen der in Kasachstan und der Russischen Föderation im Winterhalbjahr vorherrschenden niedrigen Temperaturen wird in der Anlage 2 zum SMGS gefordert, dass Tankcontainer, die zwischen dem 1. November und dem 1. April in diesen Staaten befördert werden, eine untere Auslegungstemperatur von -50 °C haben müssen. Dieser grundlegende Unterschied kann nach Ansicht der Arbeitsgruppe nicht behoben werden.

Absätze 4.3.3.4.1 und 4.3.3.4.3

In den Texten dieser beiden Absätze in der Anlage 2 zum SMGS wird präzisiert, dass die Kontrollmaßnahmen vor und nach dem Befüllen der Flüssiggas­Kesselwagen vom Absender durchzuführen sind. In einer Bemerkung wird darauf hingewiesen, dass für diejenigen Staaten, die gleichzeitig RID-Vertragsstaaten sind, eine andere Pflichtenzuteilung besteht. Im RID wird die Zuteilung der Pflichten in Kapitel 1.4. vorgenommen. Da das RID im Gegensatz zur Anlage 2 des SMGS mehrere Beteiligte umfasst, kann hier momentan keine Harmonisierung erfolgen.

Unterabschnitt 4.3.3.5

Gemäß den Absätzen 6.8.5.1.3 und 6.8.5.1.4 beider Regelwerke dürfen Tankkörper und die Verbindung von Zubehörteilen mit dem Tankkörper durch Hartlöten erfolgen. Der Unterabschnitt 4.3.3.5 der Anlage 2 zum SMGS schränkt diese Bauvorschrift für Kesselwagen und Tankcontainer insofern ein, als auf Strecken der Spurweite 1520 mm eine Sondervereinbarung erforderlich ist. Der Vertreter Russlands erklärte, dass momentan in Russland keine Wagen mit hartgelöteten Tankkörpern existieren, so dass diese Vorschrift derzeit keine praktische Bedeutung besitzt.

Absatz 4.3.4.1.2

Eine zusätzliche Bemerkung zu diesem Absatz in der Anlage 2 zum SMGS sagt aus, dass „der Teil 1 der Tankhierarchie auf Schienenstrecken Kasachstans, der Russischen Föderation und der Ukraine nicht angewendet werden darf." Die Vertreter Lettlands und Russlands präzisierten, dass es in der Praxis keinen Bedarf für die Beförderung fester Stoffe in Tanks für Flüssigkeiten gebe, da insbesondere beim Befüllen oder Entleeren es zu technischen Problemen kommen könne. Das Sekretariat erinnert daran, dass die Möglichkeit der Verwendung von Tanks für flüssige Stoffe zur Beförderung von festen Stoffen auf der Grundlage eines Antrags Frankreichs aus dem Jahr 2004 aufgenommen wurde, damit eine Beförderung von festen Stoffe und ihren wässerigen Lösungen (z.B. UN 1495 Natriumchlorat und UN 2428 Natriumchlorat, wässerige Lösung) in demselben Tank ermöglicht werde.

Weitere Arbeit

Die Teilnehmer der Arbeitsgruppe vereinbarten, dass die gemeinsame Arbeit im Rahmen einer kleineren Gruppe, die interessierte OTIF- und OSShD-Mitgliedsstaaten einschließt, fortgeführt werden soll. Das zusammenfassende Dokument mit der Darstellung der Unterschiede zwischen den beiden Regelwerken für die Beförderung gefährlicher Güter ist der 2. Sitzung der Ständigen Arbeitsgruppe des RID-Fachausschusses in Kopenhagen (Dänemark) vorzulegen. Dem Sekretariat der OTIF wurde vorgeschlagen, die positiven Ergebnisse, die von den Experten der OSShD und der OTIF erreicht wurden, zusammenzufassen und an das Komitee der OSShD weiterzuleiten.