In her capacity as member of the Bundestag, German Chancellor Angela Merkel gave the signal for the departure of the first regular train ferry service between Sassnitz, the German Baltic port located on Rügen Island, to Ust Luga, the new deep-water port in Russia. This ferry route is dedicated to freight traffic.

The inauguration of the train ferry serbice was attended by Russian Railways (RZD) President Vladimir Yakunin, Deutsche Bahn CEO Dr Rüdiger Grube and Minister of Energy, Infrastructure and State Development in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Mr Volker Schlotmann.

According to Angela Merkel, “effective transport links and a modern logistics system constitute important drivers for economic development. I am delighted at the establishment of this new regular train ferry service between Germany and Russia. This brings our two countries closer together economically.” In the words of Dr Rüdiger Grube, “this new link will provide DB Schenker with new opportunities to offer competitive transport services. The winners are not only our customers but also the environment.”

On its first trip on the Sassnitz-Ust Luga line, the ferry delivered to Sassnitz 49 RZD railcars, laden with chemicals. A five-unit train (EMU Desiro RUS) was also rolled on to the ferry bound for Russia.

(Source: DB)