The publication marks a significant step in Rail Baltica’s transition from infrastructure construction to future railway operations.
Rail Baltica has published the first version of its Network Statement, providing future railway operators with a consolidated overview of the technical, operational and access conditions that will govern the new cross-border railway linking Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.
The document has been jointly prepared by future infrastructure managers Rail Baltic Estonia, Eiropas Dzelzceļa līnijas and LTG Infra, working alongside Rail Baltica coordinator RB Rail AS.
The publication represents an important milestone as the project moves from large-scale infrastructure development towards future operational readiness. It also opens a structured dialogue with railway undertakings, freight operators and other transport stakeholders ahead of the railway entering service.
Rail Baltica prepares operators for future network access
Prepared in accordance with the RailNetEurope Network Statement Common Structure, the document provides the first unified reference framework covering infrastructure characteristics, operational principles and access conditions across the entire Rail Baltica Global Project.
The publication brings together information that has previously been spread across multiple project sources, offering future operators greater transparency as they begin planning potential passenger and freight services.
Rail Baltica is being developed as a 1,435mm standard-gauge railway connecting Tallinn, Pärnu, Riga, Panevėžys, Kaunas, Vilnius and the Lithuanian-Polish border. The route forms part of both the North Sea-Baltic and Baltic Sea-Black Sea-Aegean Sea Trans-European Transport Network corridors.
Designed for operating speeds of up to 249km/h, the railway will be equipped with the European Rail Traffic Management System Level 2 and the Future Railway Mobile Communication System. These technologies will support interoperable passenger and freight operations while ensuring compatibility with the wider European rail network.
Julien Pellerin said the publication provides future operators and freight customers with a transparent foundation for planning future engagement with Rail Baltica.
He also noted that the document demonstrates the close cooperation between infrastructure managers across the three Baltic states in creating a unified railway system aligned with European standards.
Version 1 of the Network Statement is currently intended as an informational document and does not yet provide a formal basis for capacity allocation requests.
Future editions will gradually expand the content to include detailed information on capacity allocation processes, charging structures, operational procedures and railway services. The full formal Network Statement for Phase One operations will be published later in line with the requirements of European railway legislation.
Rail Baltica is one of Europe’s largest rail infrastructure projects and is expected to strengthen regional connectivity, economic development, military mobility and integration with the wider European transport network.
Project leaders believe the railway will significantly reduce journey times across the Baltic region while creating new opportunities for passenger travel, freight transport and international trade.
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