Poland plans to ban Ukrainian grain import from September
Poland is ready to ban the import of grain from Ukraine starting from 15 September. Poland is also in conversation with Slovakia and Romania to have them adopt a similar policy. Robert Telus, the Polish...Read more
Only the EU can ensure the success of Ukrainian grain exports
While proposals, some feasible, others not, for Ukrainian grain export alternatives fall like rain, the EU seems the only one able to provide a successful solution to the challenge. “Exporting Ukrainian grain via the Baltics...Read more
‘The Baltic route can be a good solution for Ukrainian grain exports’
Ukrainian grain exports are currently running smoothly also via rail. Congestion is at normal levels; however, in two-three weeks, the new peak export season will be here after the summer harvest. Ukraine’s options for transporting...Read more
Latvian LDZ’s way to staying financially afloat might be in Estonia
INTERVIEWLatvian Railway’s cargo subsidiary in Estonia, SIA LDZ Cargo, might be one of the company’s financial lifelines in these uncertain and challenging times. While the mother group scrumbles for revenue to survive its immense losses,...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
Latvia wants to link the Baltics with Central Asia
Latvia will start a pilot service for transport to the Baltic and Scandinavian countries from Central Asia. It is doing so by linking to the Transport Corridor Europe-Caucasus-Asia (TRACECA). If succesful, this could create an...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
LDz cargo launches Estonian service amid attempts for Baltic synergy
A new single safety certificate for transport in Estonia allowed Latvian Railways to launch a new rail freight service in their neighbouring country last week. The service, dedicated to transporting cooking oils for a US...Read more
Standard gauge in all of EU, plans need to be ready by 2025-2026
Every state member of the European Union will need to have a transformation plan to adopt the 1435 mm railway gauge by 2025-2026. This was the outcome of a meeting involving the ministers of transport...Read more
Latvia boosts cooperation with Central Asian countries: the end of the tunnel or a trap?
ANALYSISLatvia and the Baltic States are among the hardest hit countries in terms of rail freight volume losses since the war in Ukraine started. Stranded in Europe’s northeast and on the border with Russia, Latvia...Read moreLatvia sees startling increase in transit cargo from Central Asia
Cargo turnover at Latvian ports reached 23,58 million tonnes in the first half of 2022, an increase of 15,2 per cent compared to 2021 and equivalent to 3,1 million tonnes of cargo. This increase was...Read more
Latvia terminates rail contract with Belarus for military goods
Latvia has suspended rail transport of military cargo from Belarus to its seaports. This was reported by the Lithuanian news website Delfi. The rail contract with Belarus does no longer comply with the legal norms...Read more
Will the ride on Rail Baltica smooth out after a long bumpy run-in?
The much-lauded high-speed European-gauge Rail Baltica (RB) project has hit several snags and will not meet its original planned deadline of 2026. Hesitancy to the project, as well as the adversity of COVID-19 and rising...Read more
Cargo from Korea to Germany? TransContainer does it also by rail
TransContainer launched a new regular multimodal service between Korea and Germany, with rail having a crucial role. The multimodal route begins from the port of Busan in Korea and ends in the port of Hamburg....Read more
How Latvia segments the railway market for infrastructure charging
There are different ways in which countries determine segments on the rail market for infrastructure charging. In a webinar on 17 March, an online seminar on railway transportation market segmentation was held by LatRailNet, the...Read more
Last design on Latvia’s Rail Baltica line before construction
The joint venture of the Rail Baltica project RB Rail AS, on behalf of the Ministry of Transport of Latvia, has concluded two contracts for the remaining two sections of the Rail Baltica main line...Read moreLatvia’s electrification scheme cancelled
A large-scale project to electrify the railway network of Latvia has been cancelled due a continuing drop in rail freight volumes. The national railway company Latvijas Dzelzcels took this decision this week. The electrification project...Read more
Lithuanian Railways transforms freight division into LG Cargo
Lithuanian Railways (Lietuvos geležinkeliai) has established a separate company for its freight business. The new entity is called LG Cargo and is the largest rail freight operator in the Baltics. Lithuanian Railways will remain in...Read more
Most freight trains on Rail Baltica will be intermodal
The Rail Baltica line that is to connect Poland with Estonia by European gauge railway in 2026 will be a great stimulus for intermodal transport in the Baltic region. 80 per cent of freight trains...Read more