Refinery shuttle

An innovative and efficient logistics solution for supporting the refinery operation optimized on MOL group level

For optimizing its downstream business, the oil industry uses a linear programming supporter tool worldwide, namely PIMS. MOL Group uses this tool on group level, involving the operation of both the Bratislava and the Százhalombatta refineries. This multimodal optimization can reveal synergies, which result in just more than the sum of the optimized parts. Utilizing those synergies often depends on the possibilities of the whole operation, including logistics solutions.
PIMS raised the need of refinery transfers, but the sufficient logistics solution was lacking. Group Logistics worked out an innovative theoretical solution, which was realized with the cooperation of two railway companies and a forwarding agent finally. The rail bridge connection between Bratislava and Százhalombatta, the so called refinery shuttle, which started its operation in April 2007, fulfilled all the expectations and provides a sufficient logistics support of integrated refinery operation. The refinery shuttle is a novelty, at the same time creating the best industry practice, thus MOL Group Logistics set the pace for the industry.

István Lakat, Kornél Csernik, Károly Horváth, Tibor Munkácsi, Tamás Deme