Capitalising on the results from the first EU-Russia Rail Research Workshop which took place over a year ago, Panteia BV and TNO organised the second EU-Russia Rail Research Workshop on 21 February in Delft (Netherlands).

The workshop was attended by Messrs Lapidus and Kassai from Vniizht, Mr Goncharov from RZD, Mr Schlickmann from the EU Commission and by UIC.

In a free and open discussion, the workshop stakeholders reviewed recent project results with focus on EU-Russia rail transport development and assessed possibilities for further advancement of rail transport between the European Union, Russia and Asian countries.

Discussions took place on rail transport economics, competition with sea transport, facilitation of customs processes, investment needs etc.

With approximately 500,000 TEU which could already be transported by rail today and a potential of 1 M TEU by 2030, all participants are convinced that further work needs to be done to advance rapidly on the key levers necessary to make this transport a viable alternative to sea shipping.

The wish of the stakeholders to further collaborate was sealed with the signing of a Letter of Intent.