OREANDA-NEWS. May 30, 2012. Ukraine's Antimonopoly Committee has allowed SCM to buy over 50% of Lemtrans (Donetsk).

At the moment SCM Group owns 19.95% of the company. Once foreign antimonopoly agencies give their permits and all the deal formalities are completed, Lemtrans will join SCM Group's transportation business.

"We decided to buy Lemtrans as SCM Group is one of the biggest consignors in Ukraine and is highly interested in stable and continuous shipment of its cargo. By buying the train company, we intend to get own railcar fleet," said Nikolay Nesterenko, SCM Director of New Business Development."We also believe in the potential of the railroad transportation as the industrial production and transit cargo traffic through Ukraine are increasing."

Lemtrans focused its development strategy on freight rail transportation by attracting new customers and expanding own car fleet. In 2012 the company plans to invest over USD 350m to buy 5,000 new cars.

"We've been a minority shareholder of Lemtras for the past several years. We know this business and its strengths well and see clearly how to develop its competitive advantages to meet the needs of our customers and give them the best transportation service," Mr Nesterenko added.