First trial train connecting Baltic Region to Central Asia has been launched. The freight cars of Viking Train running between the Baltic Region and the Black Sea will now cross the Black Sea and will be transported, by rail, to Central Asia via Georgia. Four countries, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Georgia and Ukraine agreed on special tariffs on this corridor. First trial train started its journey from Illichivsk crossing the Black Sea, Georgia, Azerbaijan, the Caspian Sea and reached to Kazakhstan. This corridor may be an alternative to China-Central Asia-Europe connection via Russia.
Container train „Viking train” is a joint project of Lithuania, Belarus and Ukraine railways, stevedoring companies in Klaipeda, Odessa and Ilyichevsk seaports, connecting Baltic and Black seas with railways.
The main route Klaipėda (Draugystė) – Vilnius – Minsk – Kiev – Ilyichevsk and back. The route (1734 km) is covered in 54 hours.
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