LTG Cargo has carried out the first project shipment of Škoda Auto passenger cars on double-deck wagons from the Czech Republic to Kaunas entirely on standard gauge tracks. The Lithuanian state owned rail operator is thus expanding its services and international transport to the West.
A train consisting of 22 double-deck wagons has delivered 220 new passenger cars for the Baltic market.
“The biggest rail freight shippers usually are the sectors of oil, mineral products, and products of plant origin, but we are constantly looking for solutions for other commodities as well, to make it more convenient and worthwhile for the customers to choose rail. This project is the result of our efforts in achieving the strategic goal of international transportation growth. The number of cars transported by one train would have required 25-30 low-loaders, making car transport by rail not only a sustainable, but also a competitive solution,” Eglė Šimė, CEO at LTG Cargo said.
The project was carried out with partners. Rail transport in the Czech Republic was carried out by ČD Cargo, while the distribution of vehicles from the terminal in Palemonas to the final locations in Baltic countries was handled by the Lithuanian company AV Terminal.
“It is encouraging to be able to contribute to the development of new routes, making use of the established infrastructure of the European rail network and strengthening Lithuania’s position as a gateway to the Baltic region. Cars delivered to Kaunas will be provided with additional services at our terminal in Vievis and delivered to end customers in Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia,” Martynas Keršys, Director of AV Terminal, said.
From the Czech border to Mockava, the project cargo was transported via Poland by LTG Cargo’s subsidiary LTG Cargo Polska. From the departure station in the Czech Republic to Kaunas, the cargo was transported by rail on a standard gauge (1435 mm), so there was no need to reload the vehicles. This project transport demonstrates LTG Cargo’s capability to transport freight on a standard gauge, which is crucial for the future of freight services on the Rail Baltica, along the northern corridor.
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