The EU’s Council of Ministers has approved the construction of a European-gauge railway to the Lithuanian port city of Klaipeda. The newly approved railway is part of the revised TEN-T regulation. According to the Lithuanian transport ministry, the European-gauge railway to Klaipėda will improve transport and logistics links in the Baltic region and Eastern Europe.…
Category: Lithuania
Freight to contribute little to billions of Rail Baltica-induced growth
Rail Baltica is an economically viable undertaking. While its projected cost has grown immensely in recent years, the high-speed rail line is expected to contribute up to 23,5 billion euros to the Baltic economies. Freight, however, is not likely to contribute much. An independent cost-benefit analysis (CBA) found that Rail Baltica will likely add between…
Rail Baltica mainline construction takes off in Latvia
Latvia is commencing construction works on the Rail Baltica mainline. The Rail Baltica team and its international partners gathered in Riga to mark the occasion, but uncertainty remains about the final shape Rail Baltica will take. The construction of the 230-kilometre Latvian mainline will take place in stages. Initially, Rail Baltica will be working on…
Lithuania’s LTG Group to ditch Russian locomotive safety system
As another step towards EU integration, the Lithuanian railway holding LTG Group will replace its current Russian KLUB-U locomotive safety system. The new one will be developed by SRPA Impulse, a Ukrainian company which already had similar projects in Bulgaria and Estonia. In total, 163 locomotives will have their system replaced, including 111 for rail…
Costly Rail Baltica to cut ambitions and seek funding elsewhere
As Rail Baltica’s projected costs are mounting and continue to grow, the project’s feasibility is in question. Uncertainty surrounding EU funding is forcing Rail Baltica to look elsewhere and readjust ambitions. As Rail Baltica eagerly awaits the results of the January application round for EU funding, discussions surrounding pan-Baltic railway continue. It is uncertain how…
Russia to invest 156 billion rubles for Belarusian rail access to Baltic Sea
Russian Railways (RZD) intends to invest 156 billion rubles (1,5 billion euros) to enable Belarusian exports via the Baltic Sea. EU countries blocked the transit of Belarusian goods through its territories, and now Russia is coming to the aid of its steadfast ally. Additionally, Belarus will gain rail access to a brand new port in…