EU Sanctions impact China-Russia volume, but indirectly
Rail freight traffic between China and Russia will be impacted by the new list of EU sanctions, be it indirectly. This is what industry professionals told RailFreight.com. New sanctions were announced by the EU Commission...Read more
Sanctions on China amidst Taiwan crisis: the next logistics puzzle to solve?
INTERVIEWWhat would happen in the case of an escalated Taiwan crisis? Would the West impose sanctions on China just like it did on Russia after the invasion of Ukraine? And how would such a development...Read more
11th EU sanction package targets circumvention attempts
The EU Commission adopted the 11th sanction package against Russia. In the latest package, the institution highlights the need to tackle sanctions circumvention attempts that involve third countries. The Commission will thus restrict the sale,...Read more
Latvian Transport Ministry: ‘Future is bleak, but Baltic cooperation is stronger’
INTERVIEWThe transport sector in the Baltic States is currently in a delicate position since the area constitutes the EU border with Russia and Belarus. In an interview with RailFreight.com, the Latvian Ministry of Transport underlined...Read more
LTG Cargo tightens up rules to fight smuggling of sanctioned goods
LTG Cargo, the freight subsidiary of Lithuanian Railways, is introducing stricter regulations to prevent sanctioned cargo from illegally entering Lithuania, especially from Belarus. Since the beginning of March, LTG Cargo’s customers will have to provide...Read more
Another financial aid package for Estonian Railways, ‘one of the many to come’
Estonian Railways (EVR) will receive the second package of governmental financial assistance in a few months. The state-owned company that noted a financial loss of 20,7 million euros in 2022 will receive 8,7 million euros...Read more
Operail sells more assets, ‘nothing to do with Russian business’
After selling its Finnish subsidiary to Nurminen Logistics, Estonian state-owned freight operator Operail proceeded to more asset releases. The company sold 807 wagons that previously belonged to its wagon leasing subsidiary, Operail Leasing. The sale...Read more
Latvia and Lithuania pledge for collective effort on Russian rail ban
The ministers of transport from Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania met for the first time in four years to discuss the ban on the transit of Russian and Belarussian goods on 23 January. Estonia, via its...Read more
Finland’s VR will stop rail freight traffic to Russia by the end of the year
VR Group, the Finnish state-owned railway company, said it will stop the transportation of goods to Russia by the end of 2022. In April, VR Group claimed that rail freight traffic between the two countries would...Read more
Where does Kaliningrad traffic stand currently?
UPDATEDevelopments regarding rail freight traffic to and from Kaliningrad via Lithuania peaked during the summer, but the situation has stabilised. In the sanctions’ aftermath, volumes have dropped, payments must be taken care of by customers...Read more
Estonia wants to sanction RZD, but its rail sector does not agree
In the wake of a new sanction round on Russia by the EU, the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs proposed direct sanctions on Russian Railways, which would mean the complete stoppage of business between Estonian...Read moreSanctions hit core operations of Estonian Railways
Estonian national rail operator Eesti Raudtee claims it lost over 20 million euros in 2022, mostly due to the sanctions that the EU applied on Russia and Belarus. The Estonian government is ready to mitigate...Read moreKaliningrad trains to run for three more weeks but their future fickle
UPDATEThe issue of train transit between Russia and Kaliningrad via Lithuania seems to be reaching some kind of stability. After consulting with the Financial Crimes Investigation Service (FNTT), Lithuanian Railways managed to secure a three-week-long...Read morePayments for Kaliningrad rail transit still possible but more complex
UPDATEThe Kaliningrad rail transit series has a new episode. The Financial Crimes Investigation Service (FNTT) scrutinised Lithuania’s payment possibilities with Russian and Belarusian entities, concluding that “each case for mutual services and incoming or outgoing...Read more
Russia exceeds EU quotas for Kaliningrad in just two months
Tensions between Russia and Lithuania have increased since the EU sanctioned the land transit of goods, including steel and concrete, from Russia and Belarus to Kaliningrad. According to Russia, the quotas established by the EU...Read more
Another chapter for the Kaliningrad story
Šiaulių Bankas promised to stop all transactions with between Lithuania and Russia and Belarus before the fall. It is the only Lithuanian bank that still carries out payments with the two countries.Read more
To ban or not to ban? Lithuania’s internal struggles concerning Kaliningrad
Despite the European Commission lifting the ban on Kaliningrad, Kęstutis Budrys, the Lithuanian president’s chief advisor on national security, says Lithuania should not upgrade or repair its Russian-gauge rail tracks.Read more
Kaliningrad-bound trains back on track after sanction update
UPDATEThe first Kaliningrad-bound train from Russia reached the Lithuanian border on Tuesday, 26 July. After a few weeks of uncertainty, this train marks the restoration of rail freight traffic between Russia and its exclave.Read more
Sanctions on Russia to stay in place at least until the start of 2023
The European Council decided on 26 July to extend the existing economic sanctions on Russia by six months until 31 January 2023. This six-month extension could prolong even more if the situation does not stabilise...Read more