Latvia can expect first cargoes from China to arrive this year

Attempts of Latvian politicians and businessmen to get a hold of cargo transports from China seem to be on the eve of fruition. At least this is promised by LDz President Edvins Berzins, who says that Latvia’s delegation returned with very good news from their visit to China, as reported by lsm.lv.

«If everything goes as planned, we can expect the arrival of the first cargo train from China in Riga this year. We may expect as many as 30 wagons. It will be a test drive, of course. But we do plan to initiate daily trains,« – admits LDz President Edvins Berzins. «I would say we have progressed further than ever with this. We have no other way – this opportunity has to be used!»

Berzins is happy about the outcome of last week’s meeting in Beijing – the signing of the agreement between Latvia’s and China’s railway companies. While up until now talks have been continuing about securing specific containers, now we can expect a train every day. «There could be regular train connectivity next year,» – Berzins added.

Riga Freeport is very expectant of cargoes from China. Cargoes from China could help compensate the 20% decline in cargoes handled by LDz and 11% at Riga Freeport.

Latvia is an interesting destination for the Chinese. Goods bound for Scandinavia can be sent by sea or railway to Germany’s Duisburg logistics centre to make the road to Riga cheaper.

Latvian Prime Minister Maris Kucinskis recently discussed this option with officials in Duisburg during his visit to Germany.

If cooperation turns out successful, Latvia can expect up to 300,000 containers from China every year, which would mean a considerable increase in the volume of goods handled by Latvian ports.

The situation is expected to become clearer in autumn, when prime ministers of European member states and China gather for a meeting in Riga.

LDz plans to develop transit of goods from factories located in China. There are multiple routes. The most direct route lies through Kazakhstan and Russia. There is also Belarus. The sea route takes at least 45 days, whereas railway transports, though more expensive, takes 15 or less days.

BNN 

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