Viking Train is a joint project of Lithuania, Belarus and Ukraine railways, stevedoring companies in Klaipeda, Odessa and Ilyichevsk seaports. A project connects Baltic and Black seas via railways and close cooperation.
The idea to establish direct intermodal train was developed in 1999, when the Ministers for transport of Lithuania and Ukraine signed the Memorandum of mutual consent. Cargo transportation in containers is the most perspective mean of services expansion due to its universal nature (first launch: in 2003). By using Viking Train, 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 Viking Train. The containers and trucks are transported from Scandinavia and Western European countries by sea transport to the seaport of Klaipeda, as well as via Mukran-Klaipeda ferry. Further, the containers are transported to Ukraine, Belarus, the Near East, the Caucasus and Turkey - via seaports of Ilyichevsk, Odessa and back.
Main route: Klaipėda (Draugystė)-Vilnius-Minsk-Kiev-Ilyichevsk and back. The transportation route (1734 km) takes 54 hours. The customs check of the Viking Train upon departure and arrival to border station of Kena takes just 30 minutes. This was achieved due to 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 both countries and their businesses
Viking Train has two alternatives:
- First, is to develop maritime transit routes between Turkey and Ukraine via the Black Sea further extending the route to Lithuanian Klaipeda Seaport.
- Second, to develop land route from Turkey via Bulgaria and Romania, further extending the route to Lithuanian Klaipeda Seaport.
PERSPECTIVE AND DEVELOPMENT
Viking Train perspectives are related to the growth of container traffic flows all around the world. Vilnius Intermodal Terminal is a perfect example of significance of 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.
· 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 the European Union. The Viking Train was rewarded with scientific research program BestFact award.
During the past 17 years Viking Train has traveled 4,5 million km and has transported more than 580 thousand TEU.
Operators and partners:
Lithuania
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LTG CARGO
Registration address: Geležinkelio str. 16, LT-02100 Vilnius, Lithuania |
Belarus
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BTLC
Brest-Litovskaja str. 13, 220039 Minsk, Belarus |
Ukraine
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LISKI
Dovbusha str. 22, 02092 Kyiv, Ukraine |
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PLASKE
Marazlijevskaja str. 14-A, 65014 Odessа, Ukraine |
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LEVADA CARGO
Office in Kiev Bunina str. 10, 65026 Odessa, Ukraine Tel. no.: +380 48 734 41 62, +380 48 734 41 63 Fax: +380 48 734 41 67 E-mail: ods[email protected] www.levadacargo.com
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FERRY PLUS
Novoselskov str. 39-101, 65001 Odessa, Ukraine |
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BTLC-UKRAINE
Michaila Grushevskov str. 9-2, 01021 Kyiv, Ukraine |
DL-INTERMODAL Saperne pole str. 14/55, 01042 Kyiv, Ukraine |
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TRANSPORT LOGISTICS CENTRE OF ODESSA Oleksia Stavnicera 60, housing 2, Lamanski district, Vizirka village, 67543 Odessa county, Ukraine |
Bulgaria
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BDZ Cargo
Ivan Vazov str. 3, 1080 Sofia, Bulgaria |
Romania
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ROFERSPED
Turda str. 98, Bucharest, Romania |
Moldova
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TRANSLOGIST SISTEM
Vieru Grigore str. 22/8, MD-2005 Chisinau, Moldova |
Georgia
TRANS CAUCASUS TERMINALS
Queen Tamar Av. 15, Tbilisi, Georgia |
Azerbaijan
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KARVAN LOGISTICS
Hajibeyov str. 62, AZ 1010 Baku, Azerbaijan |
Updated on 2021-12-06