On 9 April 2020 a container train loaded with 100 TEUs, reaching a length of one kilometre, crossed the Latvian territory on the route China – Russia – Latvia – Lithuania – Kaliningrad (Russia).

“Negotiations with the RZD OJSC on the organisation of extra-long trains to the Kaliningrad Region through Latvia were launched already last October and this February we have signed an agreement to start cooperation. I am satisfied to see the first results of our work – in the past month several container trains have been sent through Latvia in transit from China, in addition, the last train, crossing Latvia today, is record long,” said Chairman of the Board of LDZ SJSC Māris Kleinbergs.

“Organisation of such technically complicated transportation, at the time when many sectors are in downtime, is an evident signal to our partners that LDz is ready to adapt to new circumstances and challenges despite the current situation in the world, besides, the quality of LDz infrastructure allows to ensure transportation of extra-heavy trains,” Māris Kleinbergs added.

The train crossed the Latvian-Russian border and was able to continue its way without delays thanks to “LDz Loģistika” SIA’s “one-stop agency” services for online border crossing and customs procedures. The “LDz Cargo” SIA ensured further transportation of the train to the Latvian-Lithuanian border.

Transportation of all container trains on the route China – Russia – Latvia – Lithuania – Kaliningrad (Russia) in the past month are organised in cooperation of LDz with the “TransContainer” PJSC (an OSJD affiliated enterprise).

Transportation of extra-long trains are ensured, continuing the cooperation with Russian Railway company and based on the agreement signed between both companies in late February on organization of transportation of especially long cargo trains to the Kaliningrad region.

For reference: the Latvijas Dzelzceļš SJSC (LDz) is the manager of public railway infrastructure and the leading company in the Latvijas Dzelzceļš Group. The Group also includes six subsidiaries –LatRailNet JSC, which establishes infrastructure charges and is responsible for railway infrastructure capacity allocation, LDZ Cargo Ltd., which provides railway freight transportation and international passenger transportation services, infrastructure construction and maintenance company LDZ Infrastruktūra Ltd., rolling stock repair and maintenance company LDZ Ritošā Sastāva Serviss, security company LDZ Apsardze Ltd., as well as logistics company LDZ Loģistika Ltd. LDz has been awarded Platinum Category in the Sustainability Index and is ranked among the five most valuable and best-managed Latvian companies in annual ratings collated by Prudentia and Nasdaq Riga.