First Ukrainian freight train reaches Latvia after a year-and-a-half hiatus
A freight train coming from Ukraine, loaded with rapeseed, reached Latvia for the first time in over a year and a half. The pilot operation was carried out by the Latvian national rail freight company,...Read more
Fluctuating Baltic rail freight figures reflect challenging transition
Cargo transported by rail in the three Baltic countries–Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, has noted fluctuations in the years following 2018. The significant losses of transit traffic, mostly on the east-west axis, have impacted rail freight...Read more
Latvia says it could start exporting Ukrainian grain in September
The discussion concerning the possibilities of exporting Ukrainian agricultural products keeps unfolding. Latvia insists that the Baltic route can work and that Latvian railway infrastructure and ports could accommodate between half and one million tons...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
Latvian Railways on restructuring track to boost cargo operations
The recently appointed Latvian transport minister Jānis Vitenbergs is putting rail freight on the top of his agenda. Boosting cargo transport is among his priorities, and he is willing to restructure Latvian Railways to meet...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
‘Too soon to scrap away broad gauge tracks,’ says Latvia
The decision of EU transport ministers that all EU member states should devise a plan to adopt the 1435mm railway gauge by 2025-2026 keeps finding resistance in the Baltic states. The recently appointed Latvian 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
Poland and the Baltics can cooperate more and establish new corridors
The situation in eastern Europe with the war waging in Ukraine could become the starting point for stronger cooperation between Poland and the Baltic states to establish international intermodal routes. “We should cooperate more,” said...Read more
Baltic railway companies want to revive the Amber Train service
The Amber Train service connecting the Baltic states with Scandinavia and Western Europe will revive soon with a more competitive profile. The Baltic railway companies involved in the project held a meeting to examine how...Read moreLatvia 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
Estonian Railways in need of extra state financial injection
State-owned Estonian Railways (EVR) will need state funding to cover the losses from stopping the transit of Russian cargo. Despite last year’s growth in transported volumes, the company needs to cover 10 million euros of...Read more
Latvian Railways investments leave rail freight out of the picture
Latvian Railways have released a long-term development strategy making clear that rail will be the backbone of the country’s transport sector. The Baltic country’s approach includes several projects; however, it does not leave much space...Read more
No space for Belarusian fertilisers in the Baltics after US sanctions
UPDATEUPDATE – The ban of Lithuanian Railways on transporting Belarusian fertilisers in compliance with US sanctions seems to spread like a virus in the Baltic countries. After Lithuania, Latvian companies also seem unwilling to undertake...Read more
The “Green Switch” puts semi-trailers on Latvian tracks
The Latvian railway market is about to welcome the transport of semi-trailers. Until now, the country’s intermodal and combined transport sector did not include this concept. However, Latvian Railways (Latvijas Dzelzceļš) and Stena Line want...Read more
European court upholds fine on Lithuanian Railways
The Commission’s decision to fine Lithuanian Railways (LG) back in 2017 is correct. This is the verdict of the Court of Justice of the European Union. The fine was imposed to the rail operator with...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