RIGA - Latvia's first railway container depot will begin operation in September, reports news agency LETA. The transport hub project is the result of the combined effort between German transport and logistics company DB Schenker and Russian Railway's subsidiary TransContainer. Latvia's state-owned railway Latvijas Dzelzcels did not participate in the project.
Representatives of DB Schenker and TransContainer declined to comment on the opening of the new depot, saying instead that all the details haven't yet been worked out between the two companies. "We have signed an agreement with Schenker, according to which our railway rolling-stock on the territory of the company's logistics' park will be placed," said TransContainer spokesman Dmitry Yesipov.
It is expected that empty containers, sitting on the railway platforms at the depot, can be re-loaded before the next train arrives from Russia, therefore eliminating waiting times as they're ready to be hooked up to begin the return journey to Russia, fully loaded.
Schenker logistics park is located between Lubana Street and Krustpils Street in Riga and is served by an existing railway branch.
The Latvian railway company executives expressed their regret that the initiative for the terminal did not come from them, and that it was foreign companies that reached an agreement for the project. Latvijas Dzelzcels personnel, however, view the project positively, as it will increase freight volumes through Latvia transported by rail.
Belarus is also interested in cooperation with Riga, more specifically in the port, to make use of the transport services offered by Latvijas dzelzcels, announced high-ranking Minsk officials during meetings with the visiting Riga City Council representatives earlier this month.
Minsk Executive Committee's acting chairman Nikolai Ladutko, his deputy Alexander Borisenko and the heads of several Minsk enterprises, met with Riga Deputy Mayor Ainars Slesers (Latvia's First Party/Latvia's Way) and businessmen from Latvia and discussed possibilities for increased investment and trade between the two cities. Slesers offered the Belarusian side to make use of the Riga Port for exporting Belarusian goods to other countries as well as for imports.
