Transport and logistics constitute a substantial part of the GDP (Gross Domestic Product) in our country’s budget every year. However, during the globalisation period, not the unique geographic position of a country, but the ability to offer the highest quality of service is important, according to Dr. Algirdas Šakalys, the Head of the Intermodal Transport and Logistics Competence Centre.
Lithuania as a transit country is traversed by two important international railway transport corridors. 60 percent of the freight travelling by transit via the country is transported by railways, but this potential could be exploited much more efficiently. In order to become a crucial chain-link in the global railway system and to strengthen Lithuania’s competitive advantage in the field of freight transportation, we must modernise railway infrastructure on a continuous basis so that its technical parameters and safety would be compliant with European standards.
Freight transportation figures are primarily being conditioned by high technical characteristics of roads and their maintenance, contemporary traction-rolling-stock fleet, modern management systems and staff qualification. So far the main focus of AB “Lietuvos geležinkeliai” (“Lithuanian Railways”) has been on infrastructure. Its improvement has led to a considerable rise in transportation figures. According to statistical data, a conspicuous post-crisis recovery can be discerned since 2004
The economic downturn has been a force compelling to reconsider the rooted habits and traditions and to reassess fundamentally the changed situation and the new possibilities that are opening up. Since the economy of Asian countries is rapidly growing and their freight flows to Europe are getting larger, Lithuania has offered its Eastern and Western partners cheaper and high-quality alternatives to the established trade routes.
Train traffic on Lithuanian railways from the beginning of this year has been started to be managed from the newly set-up Traffic Management Centre. This Traffic Management Centre is equipped with modern computer hardware and software as well as powerful modules of automated system functions, which independently do the modelling work and suggest the most efficient train schedules and routes.
(Lietuvių) Didėjant krovininių automobilių srautui per Baltarusiją, Lietuvos ir Baltarusijos pasienyje susidaro ilgos vilkikų eilės. Kai kurie transporto įmonių vadovai prognozuoja dar labiau išaugsiančias gabenimų apimtis per Baltarusijos teritoriją. To priežastis – pasikeitusi krovinių tranzito tvarka Rusijoje. Šiuo metu daugumoje šios šalies muitinių neforminamos TIR knygelės. Vežėjams jau pasiūlytas alternatyvus būdas išvengti didelių eilių Rusijos ir Baltarusijos pasienio punktuose. Lietuva ir Baltarusija vilkikus su puspriekabėmis siūlo gabenti traukiniu „Nemunas“.
