INTERNATIONAL: Polish broad gauge operator PKP LHS and Far East Land Bridge have organised a trial container shipment from the Euroterminal Sławków to Urumqi using the Trans-Caspian route via Ukraine, the Black Sea, Georgia, Azerbaijan, the Caspian Sea and Kazkhstan.

This route ‘fits into the needs of freight forwarders and cargo handlers who want to avoid long-distance sea transport, skip queues for loading in Asian ports, efficiently cross the border with the European Union and ensure the delivery of just-in-time cargo’, said PKP LHS Chief Executive Zbigniew Tracichleb on July 3.

‘Together with PKP LHS, we have big plans for using the westernmost 1 520 mm broad line’, said FELB Chief Executive Wilhelm Patzner ‘We are proud to open a new route, especially as the Trans-Caspian corridor responds to the growing demand for food exports from Europe to China. Italian kiwis or Polish apples, meat or sweets from all over Europe, will be able to be transported to China in less than 20 days.’