Rail connection with Klaipėda included in the trans-European transport network
The Transport, Telecommunications and Energy (TTE) Council on Monday adopted a general approach on the trans-European transport network (TEN-T) regulation, which provides for the development of a new European gauge railway line to Klaipėda, including the line in the relevant TEN-T maps. According to the Minister of Transport and Communications of Lithuania Marius Skuodis, this will help to ensure not only better international rail transport interoperability, but also the competitiveness of the Klaipėda Seaport.
“I appreciate that the Council has taken into account Lithuania’s consistently repeated arguments and expanded the TEN-T map with a transport connection important for international transport – a new European gauge railway line to Klaipėda. This is particularly important in order to connect all EU ports on the eastern coast of the Baltic Sea with Ukraine by rail, as well as to create new freight corridors to Western and Northern Europe,” says Minister of Transport and Communications M. Skuodis.
The high-speed European railway line to Klaipėda should improve the transport and logistics connections in the Baltic region and Eastern Europe. According to the Minister, such infrastructure is necessary for Ukraine’s integration into the TEN-T network, creating an important alternative for Ukrainian cargo exports via the Baltic Sea ports, both currently and in the future.
It is expected that the high-speed European gauge railway to Klaipėda will fundamentally change the Lithuanian transport system: it will create a viable alternative to road transport and help to accelerate the diversification of the activities of the Klaipėda Seaport. The development of the European gauge network by connecting Klaipėda is also important for military mobility.
The TEN-T network connects major EU cities to ports, airports and rail terminals. This network includes Lithuania’s most important international road and rail connections: Rail Baltica, Via Baltica, highway Klaipėda–Kaunas–Vilnius, railway Vilnius–Klaipėda, as well as Klaipėda State Seaport, Vilnius, Kaunas, Palanga airports and Kaunas Intermodal Terminal.
The plans of the Ministry of Transport and Communications foresee the start of the construction of the high-speed European gauge railway Vilnius–Klaipėda by 2030.
The TTE Council, which discusses and adopts key EU decisions in the areas of transport, telecommunications and energy, is taking place on 5–6 December in Brussels.
Last updated: 08-12-2022
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