Kazakhstan-based grain carrier JSC Astyk Trans has reported excessive railcar downtime. During August and September, critical deviations from standard turnaround times for loading operations were identified. The company stated that this situation threatens its ability to fulfill client orders on time, the APK Novosti agency reports.
According to company data, unproductive downtime for its fleet is occurring in both export and domestic transport operations. Statistics from August and September show a systemic deviation from planned targets:
while the standard time for a railcar to remain under loading is four days, actual figures were significantly higher. For instance, railcars transporting grain for export sat idle for 6.69 days—exceeding the standard by 2.69 days.
The situation is even more difficult for domestic shipments, where actual downtime reached 7.73 days—3.73 days longer than the allotted time.
The situation regarding unloading is less critical, though standards are being exceeded there as well. Against a four-day standard, export-bound railcars exceeded the target by 0.12 days (actual: 4.12), while domestic shipments exceeded it by 0.75 days (actual: 4.75).
The relevant department emphasizes that the causes of these prolonged operations lie outside the company's control. Nevertheless, every extra day a railcar spends at a station reduces its turnover rate. This directly diminishes the enterprise's available loading capacity.
The current situation with train consists is already forcing a revision of logistics chains, with railcar placement schedules being pushed back by 5–10 days.
Agricultural holdings and grain traders risk breaching contract deadlines due to the inability to supply the requested shipment volumes on time. Downtime also leads to rising indirect costs associated with penalties for missed delivery deadlines and the additional storage of produce at grain elevators.
JSC Astyk Trans stated that this information is being communicated to companies to facilitate prompt management decisions. As a priority measure, the company is considering adjustments to current loading schedules.
As previously reported, KTZ recommended that railcar owners and operators offer incentive discounts to exporters for grain loading during the first half of the month. According to the national company, this would allow for a more even distribution of volumes and reduce the strain on railway infrastructure during the final ten-day period of the month.