LTG: more x-ray machines on the borders as smuggling investigation continues
LTG Infra and the Lithuanian Customs Office step up their attempts to control and restrict smuggling and sanction circumvention attempts via rail. In this context, they aim to deploy two x-ray machines at the Kybartai...Read more
LTG Cargo reduces Kaliningrad transit volumes in 2023
LTG Cargo, the freight subsidiary of Lithuanian Railways, is set to reduce rail-borne volumes transiting to and from Kaliningrad via Lithuania in 2023. The company, which transported eight million tonnes of cargo to and from...Read more
New express rail service delivers mail from Saint Petersburg to Kaliningrad
RZD and Russian Mail launched a special mail wagon to deliver parcels and letters from Saint Petersburg to Kaliningrad. Inhabitants of Kaliningrad will receive their mail from Saint Petersburg one and a half times faster...Read more
RZD extends international and domestic discounts for 2023
Russian Railways (RZD) is extending to 2023 discounts for the transportation of various goods both internationally and domestically. The list of discounts was posted by RZD on their official Telegram channel.Read more
Lithuania sent empty wagons with Russian army logo back to Kaliningrad
The Lithuanian State Border Guard Service stopped and sent back five empty wagons with the symbols of the Russian Airborne Forces coming from Guryevsk, 20 kilometres from Kaliningrad. The five wagons were part of two...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
LTG closes Chinese office, signalling the end of an era
Lithuanian Railways (LTG) have officially commenced processes to close their representative office in China. The decision applies to the broader geopolitical context between the two countries in the last year and a half. Political tension...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 moreKaliningrad-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
It’s official: no sanctions apply to Kaliningrad’s rail transit
UPDATEThe European Commission realised the scenario of reversing the decision to impose restrictions on rail freight transit to Kaliningrad via Lithuania. Brussels published a guidance document clarifying that no sanction regime applies to rail transport...Read more
Lithuanian customs exempt fertilisers from Kaliningrad’s transit ban
Lithuanian customs intend to exempt certain types of fertilisers transiting from Russia to Kaliningrad. As a result, around 837,500 tons of potassium chloride and 1,58 million tons of mineral and chemical fertilisers could be transported...Read moreLithuania imposes more traffic restrictions on Kaliningrad despite second thoughts
The Lithuanian customs have imposed a ban on the transit of Russian cement, alcohol and other products on their way to Kaliningrad by rail. The restrictions came into force on Sunday, 10 July, after a...Read more
EU could reverse Kaliningrad rail cut-off, fearing escalation with Russia
The European Union could reconsider the implementation of sanctions on cargo transit to Kaliningrad. After the initial decision to ban the transit of some products through Lithuanian territory, followed by Moscow’s threat to retaliate, the...Read more
Russian Railways reduces transit to Poland due to sanctions
Russian Railways will partially suspend the transit of specific products through Belarus on the way to Poland. The company announced concisely a couple of days ago that “shipments of certain goods routed to Poland by...Read more
Lithuania scrutinises Kaliningrad’s transit slowdown after Moscow’s reaction
The Lithuanian government is again consulting with the EU Commission on implementing the fourth EU Sanctions package that includes a slow down of transit trains and goods on their way to Kaliningrad. This is after...Read more