Container train "Viking train"
Container Train "Viking train" – is a joint project of Lithuania, Belarus and Ukraine railways, stevedoring companies in Klaipeda, Odessa and Ilyichevsk seaports, connecting Baltic and Black seas with railways.
Idea of a direct intermodal train during organization of container transportation came in 1999, when the ministers for transport of Lithuania and Ukraine signed memorandum of mutual consent. Cargo transportation in containers becomes the main direction of expanding cargo transportation due to its universal nature (first launch: in 2003). By using the route of Viking train, its clients have an opportunity of saving up to 30% of their funds comparing to other types of transportation and at the same time have a guaranteed time of cargo delivery. EU/CIS border crossing time for train: 30 min.
All sizes of universal and special-purpose containers and trucks with semitrailers (contrailers) are carried by the train, which from Scandinavian and Western European countries are delivered by sea transport to the seaport of Klaipeda, as well as through Mukran-Klaipeda ferry and are transported further to Ukraine, Belarus, the Near East, the Caucasus, Turkey - through seaports of Ilyichevsk and Odessa and back.
Main route: Klaipėda (Draugystė)-Vilnius-Minsk-Kiev-Ilyichevsk and back. The route (1734 km) is covered in 54 hours. The total check of the train upon departure and arrival to border station of Kena takes just 30 minutes. This was achieved through successful cooperation with customs and border agencies and installation of advanced information systems.
Lithuanian railway stations used for this project - Draugyste, Klaipeda, Paneriai, Radviliskis, Rimkai, Kaunas, Vaidotai.
Lithuania and Turkey cooperation
Lithuanian-Turkish economic cooperation is entering a new phase and will provide new opportunities for the businesses of both countries.
"Viking train" have two alternative possibilities:
The first is development of the maritime transit routes between Turkey and Ukraine through the Black sea further extending the route to Lithuanian Klaipeda sea port.
The second possibility includes the development of the land route from Turkey through Bulgaria and Romania further extending the route to Lithuanian Klaipeda sea port.
PERSPECTIVE AND DEVELOPMENT
Further Viking Train perspective is related to the growing container traffic flows all around the world. Additional opportunity for the development of the train is the establishment of Vilnius Public Logistic Center, combining both rail and road transportation services.
Additional cargo flows can be attracted by adding Georgia or Azerbaijan to the train route. Viking Train project is constantly developing: transportation possibilities are introduced in international forums and other targeted events. Negotiations on joining the project with both before mentioned countries are being held.
· In 2009 Viking Train was awarded by European Intermodal Transport Association with Best Practice Intermodal Project.
· In 2011 Viking Train brand was patented. Project has a strong potential to expand into new conceptual markets of Asia, Caucasia and Scandinavia.
· In April, 2014, combined transportation Viking Train was acknowledged as the best green logistics and intermodal transportation project in European Union. Project was rewarded with scientific research program BestFact award.
In the past 10 years Viking Train has traveled 2,3 million km and has transported more than 300 thousand TEU or more than 4,8 million tons of cargo.
Operators of the container train and partners:
Lithuania
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Lithuanian Railways LG Ekspedicija Department
Mindaugo g. 12, Vilnius, LT-03603 |
Belarus
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Transportation-logistics center Belintertrans
Brest-Litovskaja 13, Minsk, 220039, (карта) |
Ukraine
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USCTS LISKI
22 DovbushaStr., Kyiv-92, Ukraine |
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LLC TransContainer Ukraine
Tel.: +38044 593-96-13 |
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PLASKE
P.O. Box 299 Odessа, 65001, Ukraine |
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LEVADA CARGO Office in Kiev Tel. +380 44 364 39 91, +380 44 585 59 27
Fax. +380 44 364 39 95
Office in Odessa Tel. +380 48 734 41 62, +380 48 734 41 63
Fax +380 48 734 41 67 |
Bulgaria
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BDZ Cargo "Market and Tariff Policy" Department
Tel: + 359 2 932 44 32; +359 2 890 71 63 |
Romania
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JSC Rofersped
Tel: +40 21 224 14 67 (68) |
Moldova
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"TRANSLOGISTIC SISTEM"
Tel. +373 22 00 99 72 |
Turkey
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"GEFCO Taşımacılık ve Lojistik A.Ş."
Tel. +90 216 581 51 00
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Sweden
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"STEVECO LOGISTICS" |
Georgia
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"GEORGIAN RAILWAY"
Tel. +995 32 219 9573 |
"TRANS CAUCASUS TERMINALS Ltd"
Tel. +995 32 2199898; +995 32 2198835
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Azerbaidžane
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"Karvan Logistics" Tel. +99 412 5990516/17Fax. +99 412 5990518 El. paštas info@karvanlogistics.com www.karvanlogistics.com |
Services Order: http://www.vikingtrain.com/calculator/send
Prices calculation: http://www.vikingtrain.com/calculator
Official Viking train website: www.vikingtrain.com
Updated on 2015-11-24