Starting from early December, a new container train has been put into operation, linking Latvia’s Rīgas universālais terminālis (RUT) and Poland’s Baltic Container Terminal (BCT) within the Freeport of Riga.
This initiative provided by Baltijas Ekspresis, the largest private rail freight carrier in the Baltics, marks a significant improvement in the efficiency and safety of container delivery to vessels docked at these terminals.
According to a statement, the introduction of this shuttle train enhances freight movement within the Latvian port. By shifting from road to rail transport, the initiative also eases pressure on terminal infrastructure, port highways and city roads. This shift is particularly crucial for the neighbouring communities around the port and the general residents of Riga.
Collaborating with port entities such as Jaunzeltiņi, RUT, and BCT, Baltijas Ekspresis plays a pivotal role in this transformative project. Unlike the previous reliance on road transport for container transfer between terminals, the shuttle train offers an alternative solution, providing a faster and more sustainable connection between the two major terminals.
For the Port of Riga, this marks a significant milestone as it introduces a reliable alternative to road transport, benefitting various stakeholders, including freight forwarders, container owners, and shipping lines.
“This project is a good example of how rail transport can compete with road transport, moving cargo more efficiently, as well as in a more environmentally and people-friendly way,” emphasized Māris Bremze, chairman of the Board of “Baltijas Ekspresis”.
Beyond the immediate port environment, the positive effects of this initiative extend to the wider city. The consistent flow of containers between the terminals acts as a remedy for truck traffic, mitigating congestion and reducing CO2 emissions.
“The volume of cargo transported by road to and from the Port of Riga has grown significantly in recent years. Five years ago about 33% of the port cargo was transported by road, now this volume has increased to 68%. Increasing road transport flows create increased load on the port and Riga motorways, as well as congestion in the city, causing discomfort to residents and polluting the environment,” commented Ansis Zeltiņš, Freeport of Riga CEO.
He added, “The newly created container train connection between the port terminals is a successful project for shifting cargo flows from road to rail, helping to solve the problems caused by increasing road transport in the port and the city.”
