The river Nemunas becomes an extension of the seaport
A significant event in Lithuania’s logistics sector has taken place – on 5 August, the largest river barge in the Baltic States, carrying 1,000 tons of grain, sailed from Kaunas to Jurbarkas and then to Klaipėda, and today it arrived in Klaipėda.
The barge has a draft of 180 cm, but at more than 75 meters long and 16 meters wide, it can hold an impressive 1,300 tons of grain or other bulk materials. That’s a tonnage that would take 26 train carriages or even 54 trucks to transport.
The project was carried out in cooperation with the Inland Waterways Directorate (IWKD). Last summer, an ambitious project was completed to modernize the shipping lane between Kaunas and Klaipėda and to make the Nemunas a continuation of the seaport.
“We are pleased with the successful cooperation with the Inland Waterways Directorate and believe that the transport of grain by barge will bring additional competitiveness not only to Linas Agro, but also to the farms of central Lithuania, will make the environment safer, and will provide additional efficiency in the logistics chain.”
Arūnas Strazdas, Director of Logistics and Infrastructure of AB Linas Agro
Arūnas Strazdas, Director of Logistics and Infrastructure, shares that Linas Agro has paid special attention to the preparation when implementing the first project of this type in Lithuania. The Logistics and Infrastructure team was actively involved in all phases, working with the IWKD on technical issues related to grain loading and moisture protection, managing the necessary documentation and insurance, as well as thoroughly testing access roads.
The 24-hour operation of the barge will allow for more efficient transport of a wide range of cargoes, with grain at the heart of it.
The calculations made confirm that river transport, especially with a well-developed infrastructure, is more cost-effective for business. In order to reduce transport costs and increase competitiveness, it is planned to intensify the use of this alternative by shifting part of the bulk cargo from road to river.
“We believe that this new way of transport will increase the competitiveness of our farms and other farms in the region, reduce negative environmental impacts and make the logistics process more efficient.”
A. Strazdas
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