Baltic States – CIS, Belarus, EU – Baltic States, Forum, Lithuania, Port, Railways, Transport

Photo: transp.lt

“The development of constructive cooperation between Lithuania and Belarus in the field of transport and logistics results from more than one important factor. Indeed, it derives from the favorable geographical position of both countries which additionally boosts the transit of goods, mutual economic benefits, quality of services, close cooperation between the transport ministries of Lithuania and Belarus, further developed commercial relation between the railway and other companies of the transport sector”, said Rimantas Sinkevicius, Minister of Transport and Communications of the Republic of Lithuania.

According to the Minister, the port of Klaipeda is a modern and efficient operator and the only ice-free port on the Eastern coast of the Baltic Sea; therefore, the cargo from Belarus and in transit through Lithuania can be carried to Western Europe and Scandinavia quickly, at the lowest cost and in a safe manner.

Over the last three years, the investments to the infrastructure to the port of Klaipeda effectively increased port’s capacity to provide handling and storage services. Currently, its capacity for storage and handling of petroleum products reaches up to 12 million tonnes, and of the grain and other agricultural products up to 6.5 million tonnes, 14 million tonnes of mineral fertilizers and up to 1.5 million of the twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU) for container loads.

In the first half of the year alone, the transportation of cargo from Belarus in transit through the port of Klaipėda increased by 8.6 percent and resulted in 6.9 million tonnes.

In addition, Lithuania attaches great importance to the quality of transport and logistics services. Modern intermodal terminals, which will be gradually integrated into the common Eurasian transport and logistics system, are already operating. It is expected that freight corridors, especially within the framework of European and Asian economic relations, will be further developed by container trains “Saulė” (Sun), “Baltijos vėjas” (Baltic Wind), Merkurijus (Mercury) and “Viking” (Vikingas).