First Chinese train to come through Riga

RIGA - Latvia is expecting the arrival of the first container train from China at the Central Terminal of Riga port in a few days' time, as confirmed by representatives of Latvijas Dzelzcels (Latvian Railway).

The container train China-Europe is carrying goods from Urumchi (China) to the German port city of Hamburg via Alashkanov/Dostik - Petropavlovsk - Zilupe - Riga.

According to information released by Latvian Railway, the pilot project involves Chinese, Kazakh, Russian and Latvian railways, as well as business structures in Germany. LDz Cargo, a subsidiary of Latvijas Dzelzcels, is ensuring the container train's passage on the Eastern-Western transit rote from Zilupe to Riga.

The aim of the pilot project is to specify tariffs, time spent on the route, possible services and the efficiency of the train's schedule, as well as to assess the advantages of railway against sea traffic.

"The huge Chinese market opens up wide opportunities for development to the Latvian transit business, so I hope the arrival of this container train will become a start for successful further cooperation," Latvijas Dzelzcels head Ugis Magonis said in a statement to the press.

Latvia is planning to develop container traffic, including transit through Latvian ports. In 2007, throughput of TEO containers in Latvian ports rose by 1.8 percent on year to 236,351 units. Most of them were reloaded at Riga port.