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According to transport development tendencies in Europe, rail transport service is considered one of the future's most perspective land transport types in terms of both safety and ecology. Cargo to and from Latvian ports are mainly transported by rail. Rail cargo transportation accounts for 52% of the total amount of cargo transported by land and this number has tendency to increase. Transit transportation by rail accounts for approximately 85% of the total amount of cargoes transported by rail - mainly from ports of Russia and Belarus to ports of Latvia (East – West transit corridor). In cargo transportation transit of oil products, chemicals and mineral fertilizers is the prevalent. Container train traffic linking Latvian ports with Russia and Kazakhstan are still in development process.

Here is a list of the main advantages of the Latvian railway system:

• branched network linking ports of Riga, Ventspils and Liepaja to the points of cargo transshipment, Russia, the CIS  and other regions;
• rail gauge (1520 mm) analogue with the gauge of railway network of neighbouring countries (Russia, CIS);
• branched network of feeder roads in ports allowing for direct cargo transshipment into vessels;
• modern technologies allowing for fast procedures of loading and unloading;
• automated transportation control system providing link to neighbouring countries and allowing for control of the movement of trains and wagons;
• flexible tariff policy.

In order to make the rolling stock of railway modern, effective and comfortable, it is planned to use financial resources of both state and the European Regional Development Fund for updating the existing stock and purchasing a new one. To develop railway infrastructure and increase safety level, several projects are being developed, the implementation of which will be financed by the European Union funds together with the state budget's funding.

The railway legislation is harmonised with the legislation of European Union. Moreover, requirements for rail transport market liberalisation, state administration and traffic safety have been satisfied in practice.

Latvia, together with Poland, Lithuania and Estonia, has engaged in the international railway project Rail Baltica which foresees formation of railway traffic that would comply with current requirements between the Baltic States, Central and West Europe.

Comparison of volumes of cargo transported by rail in 1994-2008

Additional railway information - www.ldz.lv