Eyes in the Sky: LTG Cargo Deploys Drones to Boost Wagon Inspection Speed and Safety

Drones are no longer just for wars, tech geeks, or hobbyists—LTG Cargo is using them to revolutionise wagon inspections.

Lithuania’s national freight carrier, LTG Cargo, is flying high—literally. The company has officially introduced drones for freight wagon inspections across key hubs in Lithuania, a move that significantly improves efficiency, safety, and cargo preparation quality, especially for weather-sensitive materials such as crushed stone.

Drone Deployment Across Lithuania’s Key Freight Hubs

According to LTG Cargo, the drones are now operational at major freight terminals in Vilnius, Kaunas, Klaipėda, and Radviliškis, including the Radviliškis wagon depot, where rolling stock is repaired. These unmanned aerial vehicles, manufactured in the United States, are particularly effective at checking the interior cleanliness of open wagons used for bulk materials. Such inspections are crucial for cargo like gravel or crushed stone, where contamination with residual substances from previous loads can compromise the material's suitability for infrastructure work.

As noted by Eglė Šimė, CEO of LTG Cargo, "The fact that we have used drones to inspect and properly prepare wagons marks a new stage in LTG Cargo's operations. Wagon inspectors, having acquired the qualifications of drone operators, inspect rolling stock from above twice as fast. This change will bring significant benefits to customers—we will prepare wagons for the transportation of their products faster and with higher quality."

This innovation is especially timely considering LTG Cargo’s recent acquisition of 200 gondola wagons from a Ukrainian manufacturer. These wagons are tailored for transporting weather-resistant bulk cargo and are expected to support up to 700,000 tonnes of freight annually, according to the company. Much of this material will serve major infrastructure projects, including the transnational Rail Baltica line.

Cleaner Wagons, Safer Workflows: The Operational Impact

Railway Supply confirms that drones have reduced technical inspection times by half, while simultaneously improving accuracy. With high-resolution cameras, the drones can detect hidden damages and help technicians identify issues that could be overlooked during ground-level inspections.

The company has invested in its workforce as part of the transition to drone-based inspections. Around 30 employees have completed certified training to operate the drones safely and effectively. As RAILMARKET reports, this has already made inspections safer and more consistent, reducing the need for staff to climb onto wagons—a common source of occupational risk.

In addition to inspecting cleanliness, the drones have demonstrated the ability to detect certain mechanical issues, such as visible surface damage or structural anomalies. This dual capability enhances the reliability of wagon readiness and reduces the chances of disruptions during cargo transit.

Šimė points out the broader impact of the innovation: "Properly preparing and ensuring the cleanliness of wagons is critically important when transporting certain types of cargo... this technology makes it safer, faster, and more precise."

Looking ahead, LTG Cargo intends to expand drone use to other wagon types, broadening the benefits of automation across its operations. The company’s commitment to digital innovation is a core part of its western expansion and modernisation strategy, which also includes services in Poland and Ukraine through its subsidiaries LTG Cargo Polska and LTG Cargo Ukraine.

Source: LTG Cargo; Railway Supply, RAILMARKET