Rail Baltica Gains Strategic Status in Revised TEN-T, Promising Economic and Military Benefits

In July, the revised guidelines for the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) came into effect, aiming to enhance the connectivity, efficiency, resilience, and sustainability of Europe's transport infrastructure. According to these revised guidelines, Rail Baltica is now part of two European transport network corridors. In addition to the North Sea-Baltic corridor, Rail Baltica is also considered part of the Baltic, Black Sea, and Aegean Sea corridor.

The latest cost-benefit analysis of Rail Baltica, conducted to evaluate the project's benefits in the current geopolitical context of Europe, was carried out by the independent evaluator Boston Consulting Group. They concluded that Rail Baltica will promote full integration of the Baltic States into Europe, enhance military mobility, support long-term regional economic growth, and contribute to the reconstruction of Ukraine.

"Heavy materials needed for the post-war reconstruction of Ukraine's infrastructure will primarily be transported by rail. Including Rail Baltica in another TEN-T corridor extending to Ukraine will enhance connectivity, boost export opportunities for all participating countries, and improve integration and security," said Egidijus Lazauskas, CEO of LTG Group.

According to Yevhen Liashchenko, Chairman of the Board of Ukrainian Railways (Ukrzaliznytsia), the Solidarity Lanes have stabilized Ukraine's exports when Russian forces blocked Ukrainian ports.

"Currently, Ukrainian Railways is systematically working to expand transport infrastructure capacity with EU countries, primarily by developing intermodal routes to the Baltic States. The strategic priority is to integrate Ukraine's railway infrastructure into the TEN-T corridors by connecting our network with 'Rail Baltica,' which is part of the Baltic, Black Sea, and Aegean Sea corridor. This will enable Ukraine to open new rail routes to EU seaports in the future," said Liashchenko.

In May 2022, the TEN-T Commission expanded the transport corridors to include Ukraine and Moldova, excluding Russia and Belarus. The trilateral negotiations concluded at the end of 2023, with the Parliament officially approving the agreement in April 2024, followed by the Council in June 2024.

The new TEN-T guidelines specify phased deadlines: core network by 2030, extended core network by 2040, and comprehensive network by 2050. The interim deadline of 2040 accelerates the implementation of crucial cross-border projects, such as rail connections.

The Rail Baltica project team collaborates with Ukraine, sharing knowledge, providing insights into infrastructure project planning, and facilitating the exchange of practical experience.

Rail Baltica is the largest railway infrastructure project in the history of the Baltic States, involving the construction of an electrified European standard double-track railway connecting Warsaw, Kaunas, Vilnius, Panevėžys, Riga, Pärnu, and Tallinn. The total length of the Rail Baltica railway line in the Baltic States is 870 km: 392 km in Lithuania, 265 km in Latvia, and 213 km in Estonia.

Source: LTG Infra Press Releases