“OPPORTUNITIES FOR COOPERATION BETWEEN FINNISH AND LITHUANIAN CARRIERS AND FREIGHT FORWARDERS” CONFERENCE IN HELSINKI
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania, Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania to the Republic of Finland, the Finnish-Lithuanian Trade Association and JSC “Lithuanian Railways” are organizing conference called “Opportunities for cooperation between Finnish and Lithuanian carriers and freight forwarders” in Helsinki on 4th of March. There will be important Finnish and Lithuanian authorities, as well as big transport, logistics, trade companies, freight forwarders and other business organizations participating in the conference.
The main target of this event – to encourage Finnish and Lithuanian business cooperation and find new and useful contacts, partners. One of the organizers of the conference JSC “Lithuanian Railways” will introduce company’s services and major projects: one of the most successful and recognized projects in Europe container train “Viking”; public logistic centers (freight villages).
The container train “Viking”
The container train “Viking” is a project of Lithuanian, Belarussian and Ukrainian railways and Klaipėda, Ilyichevsk and Odessa seaports, connecting the Baltic Sea with the Black Sea. The train started operation in March 2003. The train carries 20 and 40-feet universal and specialized containers, also tractors with semitrailers and trailer-trains. On the Baltic Sea the cargo is put across to Klaipėda port by sea transport from Scandinavia and Western Europe as well as via Mukran-Klaipėda ferry-line. On the Black Sea via Ilyichevsk and Odessa seaports the cargo is carried locally and to/from Turkey, Near East, Caucasus, Central Asia. The route of the “Viking” train from Klaipėda to Ilyichevsk totals 1 734 km and may be covered within 52 hours. Wagons with containers and contrailers are transported by the “Viking” train not only among Klaipėda, Ilyichevsk and Odessa seaports, but also to the railway stations of Belarus, Lithuania and Ukraine located on the train route.
Public logistic centers (freight villages)
According to Lithuanian transport strategy there will be 3 public logistic centers (PLC) established in Vilnius, Kaunas and Klaipėda (next stage – Šiauliai and Panevėžys). PLC implements the concept of an “inland port” and will function as a part of intermodal transport infrastructure. PLC will be understood as a place, in which all activities in relation to transport, logistics and distribution of goods are carried out on a commercial basis for various operators. Usually, operators are either the owners of or renting buildings and equipment (warehouses, distribution centers, offices, truck service centers, etc.). After implementation of PLC projects in Vilnius, Kaunas and Klaipėda Lithuania will became more attractive center for distribution international freights.
It is believed that Finnish business representatives or trade companies, which are looking for new markets or carrying freights in the direction “East–West”, could be interested in the project “Viking” and in making investments into public logistic centers (freight villages).
