CECAEN Rev 3
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Sections Correlation Guide About the Project Contact
Group 492

Freight transport by rail

This division includes the transport of goods by rail, from raw materials to finished products, including rental of rolling stock with operator. Essentially, it concerns companies that operate freight trains, providing the link between producers, ports, and logistics centers.

Included Activities & Applicability

  • ✅ Rail freight transport
  • ✅ Container rail freight transport
  • ✅ Rail transport of perishable goods
  • ✅ Rail transport of heavy and oversized goods
  • ✅ Shunting and marshalling operations of freight wagons
  • ✅ Rental of locomotives and freight wagons with operator
  • ✅ Traction services for third parties

Excluded Activities & Restrictions

  • ❌ Passenger rail transport (code 491)
  • ❌ Construction and maintenance of railway lines (section F)
  • ❌ Warehousing and storage of goods (code 521)
  • ❌ Cargo handling activities (code 5224)
  • ❌ Manufacture of locomotives and wagons (section C)

Subordinate Structure

4920 Rail freight transport
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Detailed Analysis & Commercial Insights

CAEN Division 492: Freight Transport by Rail

CAEN Division 492, Freight transport by rail, is an essential pillar of the Romanian economy, ensuring the mobility of goods over medium and long distances, with a significant impact on domestic and international trade. In the current context of rising fuel prices and pressure for decarbonisation, rail freight transport is becoming an increasingly attractive alternative to road transport, due to its energy efficiency and capacity to transport large volumes in a single trip. In Romania, this activity has seen an interesting evolution after the liberalisation of the railway market, with the emergence of private operators competing with CFR Marfă. Entrepreneurs operating in this field face challenges such as the condition of the railway infrastructure, which requires massive investments from European and national funds, bureaucracy in the authorisation process of rolling stock and personnel, as well as fluctuations in transport demand correlated with economic cycles. However, the prospects are promising, thanks to the development of pan-European corridors and the need to shift part of road traffic to rail in order to reduce CO2 emissions. To succeed, operators must invest in modern locomotives, fleet management systems, and work closely with authorities to modernise lines and intermodal terminals. In addition, digitalisation of processes, from issuing transport documents to real-time tracking of trains, can provide a significant competitive advantage. As the Romanian economy becomes increasingly integrated into European value chains, division 492 will play a crucial role in supporting exports and supplying local industries.