ÖBB Annual Report 2023

87 Group Management Report Österreichische Bundesbahnen-Holding Aktiengesellschaft Consolidated Financial Statements | Group Management Report 42 Strong team Employees are the company’s most important resource. This is the only way ÖBB is in a position to guarantee high-quality services. Both in direct contact with customers and behind the scenes: the ÖBB team ensures a sustainable mobility offering. ÖBB is constantly working on measures to increase employee satisfaction and fill vacant positions with suitable applicants in order to secure this team in the long term. Development of freight transport characterised by many influencing factors ÖBB is the preferred partner of the customers. The Rail Cargo Group continues to be able to position itself profitably on the European market as a service provider for end-to-end rail logistics. The ongoing expansion of easy access to the rail system (“Cargo 1492“) implemented by a convincing RCG team is the basis for a positive résumé in the acquisition of new customers – despite constant geopolitical and economic challenges. Production and volume trends Political influences, above all the Ukraine crisis, continue to cloud European economic development to a large extent. The negative economic development in Europe and the effects of the crisis on the energy sector are not a favourable starting point for rail freight transport as a whole. The Paper, Wood and Chemicals segments have also been hit hard due to industrial factors. Production cutbacks, reduced demand and noticeable savings in the customer sector remain the major challenges. There is also no sign of a decline in the tight situation in steel production and the associated transport sectors. Products that are in direct competition with HGVs (especially single wagonload transport and intermodal) have been particularly negatively affected – and there has also been a shift towards road transport. This shift in transport flows is further favoured by traffic restrictions on the railways – both nationally and internationally – such as roadworks. The Rail Cargo Group can also report successes in 2023 despite difficult conditions. New customers were won over to the Rail Cargo Group’s products despite a drop in volumes. Additional logistics flows and new customers were increasingly gained through the expansion of multimodal transport – supported in particular by the purchase of appropriate equipment. One of the aspects successfully demonstrated here is how innovative project work and successful regulatory measures – such as the New Waste Management Act – are able to make a targeted and consistent transition to a new segment. A division that successfully demonstrates ÖBB’s and therefore the Rail Cargo Group’s contribution to improving the green footprint. The focus is entirely on climate neutrality. Shifting freight transport to energy-efficient modes of transport such as rail is and will remain one of the most important strategic goals of the entire Group. Cost factor development owing to the economic crisis In freight transport, too, both massive cost increases for energy, personnel and materials and the changed conditions on the capital market are placing a heavy burden on economic development. The significant cost factor increases are only partially offset by the introduction of an energy price floater. The massively rising production costs need to be counteracted by means of appropriate pricing. Infrastructure: Investing in the future for an attractive and efficient railway system Rail is the solution for the mobility turnaround. The railway is facing an opportunity of the century. ÖBB has never had such good conditions, as society is increasingly focussing on sustainable mobility and politicians are investing in railway infrastructure. The Mobility Masterplan of the Federal Ministry for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology (BMK) paints a clear picture of the important role that transport will play on the road to climate neutrality by 2040. MR42 |