ZSSK CARGO has won a tender to provide first-mile rail logistics for the Volvo Cars manufacturing plant currently under construction in Valaliky, near Košice. The contract covers the management of rail movements between the factory siding and the Valaliky station, as well as transit to the Košice railway hub.
Operations include dispatching, reporting, and the coordination of empty wagon positioning for vehicle loading. The carrier achieved a score of 95 out of 100 in the manufacturer's supplier evaluation process, which assessed technical procedures and process maturity. This service model supports the export of finished vehicles to European markets via the main rail network.
Full commercial operations at the site are scheduled to begin in mid-2027. The facility is designed exclusively for electric vehicle production, with most outbound logistics reliant on rail transport. ZSSK CARGO currently provides logistics services to all existing automotive manufacturing plants located in Slovakia, including assembly plants of Volkswagen, Jaguar Land Rover, Stelantis and KIA.
The technical solution for the Valaliky site will undergo further refinement before the 2027 start date to ensure short-cycle shunting precision. This contract establishes the carrier's role in the initial logistics chain, with the company seeking to expand its involvement into long-haul transport legs from the facility.
