Sanctions cause locomotive shortage in Russia

Russian Railways (RZD) is facing a shortage of locomotives. The shortage is reportedly caused by a lack of importable spare parts due to Western sanctions. The situation has become particularly problematic in the fourth quarter of 2023. The locomotive shortage came to light in a statistics report by RZD, according to Russian publication Vedomosti. A […]

LTG Cargo sees freight volumes defy expectations amid sanction struggles

Lithuanian rail freight operator LTG Cargo transported 27.2 million tonnes of freight in 2023. Total volumes exceeded expectations by 2.5 million tonnes. In the difficult business environment following sanctions on neighbouring Russia and Belarus, LTG Cargo did not foresee such volumes. According to the company, the sector has seen turbulent years due to the implementation […]

Russia fears rail blockade and builds rail ferries for Kaliningrad

Fear of a rail blockade is leading Russia to build three additional rail ferries for its Kaliningrad exclave. The country’s westernmost region is surrounded by EU and NATO member states which control all railways into and out of the region. Russia is now looking to move its rail freight by sea in order to guarantee […]