Russian Railways has been very active in strengthening its market positions in Eurasian transport services and infrastructure during 2008, SKRIN Newswire reported.
The company paid particular attention to improving efficiency in its cooperation with railways in the CIS and Baltic states using the 1520 mm broad-gauge track and reached important agreements with them on harmonising the strategic development of the railway network, including the reform and provision of transit shipments.
Based on a concessionary agreement, dated June 1, 2008, South Caucasus Railways, a Russian Railways' subsidiary, began managing Armenia's railways.
The concessionary period is for 30 years with an option to extend it for another 20 years. Under the terms of the agreement, Russian Railways will invest in the infrastructure of Armenian Railways and upgrade its rolling stock.
The company also worked consistently to improve conditions in order to attract transit goods to the East-West Eurasian corridor, including the Trans-Siberian Main Line. A joint venture with Deutsche Bahn and an enterprise including railways from Germany, Poland and Belarus began work.
Two container trains from China to Europe were launched in 2008. These ran between Beijing and Hamburg and were organised jointly by railways in China, Mongolia, Russia, Belarus, Poland and Germany.
Work with Japanese and South Korean shippers and forwarders was also intensified with the aim of attracting more freight to the Trans-Siberian. |
