Estonia is one of the shortest and cheapest transit corridors between the CIS countries and Western Europe. Together with harbours, the railway represents the main link for transit through Estonia. Promotion of international railway trade is one of the most important priorities of Estonian economy. Of the total quantity of transit freight passing through Estonia more than 95% were conveyed by railway. The Tallinn - Tapa - Narva line together with Tapa - Tartu - Valga line has been included in the trans-European railway transport corridor No 1. Estonia is obliged to ensure smooth transit transport of goods through its territory on the level of internationally recognised service standards.
Estonian Railways is a state owned joint stock company. Since 1997, large-scale structural readjustments have been taking place in Estonian Railways Ltd., which has contributed to creation of a more efficient, modern and successful company in many ways. The reconstruction project of the Tallinn - Narva railway line was completed with co-financing of EIB, Phare, the state investment program of the Republic of Estonia and the finances of Estonian Railways Ltd.
In addition to the technological modernisation,
administrative readjustments are included in the
reconstruction project, the slogan of which could
be "approach to Europe". The Railway Signalling
and Communication Department continues the construction
of the radio communications network based on the
equipment of Motorola, and started projecting of
the tariff software of the radio network. The company's
environmental protection policy is to introduce
the environment management system meeting the requirements
of ISO 14001. |
A remarkable growth of freight traffic volumes has taken place. Estonian Railways carried 37 million tons of goods in 1999. The growth of transit traffic volume was mainly due to freight of oil products. Along with the growth of freight carriage volume, the reception and departure of trains in border stations has grown in recent years. On average 550 wagons per day were loaded and 1320 wagons per day were unloaded.
The main goods groups of international freight cargo are: oil products, grain, metals, chemicals and fertilisers. Freight of expensive goods - food, technology and other container goods - can be regarded as having good perspective. As for domestic carriage, oil shale dominates and the volume of timber and forest carriage is growing.
Estonian Railways has been primarily oriented to international transport market. The closest relations of Estonian Railways have been developed with the eastern neighbours - Russian Railways.
The task of 1999 was to prepare Estonian Railways for privatisation.
Estonian Railways possesses 442 platforms, 1556 gondolas, 692 tanks, 679 covered wagons and 1594 other wagons - total 4963 freight wagons.
Turnover: 1232.2 million kroons
Balance sheet total: 1195.5 million kroons
Profit: 44.4 million kroons
Employees: 4500
Track gauge 1520 mm
Length of main lines, stations and sidings 1353.2 km
Number of stations 62. |
