Lithuanian rail freight operator LG Cargo is planning to add a new type of vehicle to its fleet. It is the locotractor, which provides more efficient shunting operations. With the help of these new units, the state-owned company will improve its first/mile services and be able to offer more reliable solutions for the customers.

LG Cargo purchased five new locotractors from Zephir, the Italian manufacturing company. Three vehicles have already been delivered to Lithuania. Currently, the rail freight operator is inspecting and certifying them. Two other locotractors will be supplied to the Baltic state soon. All the vehicles are able to provide shunting operations on both 1,435 and 1,520 mm gauges. “Our decision to purchase locotractors was based on their efficiency; the fuel consumption of locotractors is 30 per cent lower than shunting locomotives while the repair costs are even 2.7 times lower”, LG Cargo commented to RailFreight.

Last mile service

The efficiency of the new vehicles will allow LG Cargo to improve its shunting operations. In addition, the company will offer more reliable options for its first/mile services. Usually, LG Cargo delivers freight to a freight station, whence the customers shunt it to their facilities with their own locomotives or tranships to the lorries. With the help of the locotractors, the Lithuania rail freight operator will be able to deliver single wagons directly to the customer’s storage via the branch lines.

“Constantly communicating with the business community, we notice that more and more customers want to get the goods to the final destination as quickly and easily as possible. With this in mind, we have improved our processes and upgraded our fleet, therefore, we can offer freight shunting services to all our customers. We have no doubt that the updated service will be relevant for everyone looking for greater operational efficiency and will contribute to the success of customers’ business”, CEO of LG Cargo Egidijus Lazauskas said.

LG Cargo

LG Cargo has incorporated a year ago by transforming the Freight Transportation Directorate of Lithuanian Railways, the state-owned holding known as Lietuvos geležinkeliai or LG in Lithuanian. This change was implemented according to the Fourth Railway Package. Now, the entity works as a separate company within the group.

LG Cargo provides shunting operations at 47 stations across Lithuania. The company’s fleet includes 86 shunting locomotives that run mainly at Klaipėda, Bugeniai and Kena railway stations. In 2019 the rail freight company delivered around 2 million wagons to its customers.

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