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
Belarusian Railway extends use of digital documents in freight transportation
Belarusian Railway has implemented the electronic document in transit transportation of empty private freight wagons between Latvia and Russia via Belarus. The project allows for the use of digital documents with an electronic signature instead...Read more
Latvia launches new rail freight link to China
A new rail freight service between the Latvian capital Riga and Xi’an in China was launched. The container train from Xi’an International Trade & Logistics Park arrived for the first time at the port of...Read moreLatvian Railways and LDz Cargo demand €82 million from Lituanian Railways
National rail company Latvian Railways and its freight shipping subsidiary LDz Cargo are demanding more than 82 million Euros from national rail company Lithuanian Railways. The amount should compensate for the losses the Latvian companies...Read more
Latvia eyes strategic position on Eurasian rail freight corridor
Latvia wants to strengthen its presence on the Eurasian rail freight market. High volumes of traffic on the Trans-Siberian route via Poland and Belarus form an opportunity for Latvia to provide an alternative transit to...Read moreLatvian Railways secures 22.8 million Euros loan for fleet upgrade
Latvian Railways (LZD) has secured a twelve-year loan agreement with the Nordic Investment Bank (NIB), valuing 22.8 million Euros. The state-owned rail company will use the loan to fund the modernisation of fourteen of its...Read more
Kazak rail head pledges to strengthen Eurasian freight links
The head of Kazakhstan’s national railways has outlined the country’s ‘great measures’ for revamping its transport and logistics infrastructure, as it looks to strengthen its position on the Trans-Eurasian rail freight routes. Kanat Alpysbaev, Chair of...Read more