During this initial phase, the Moscovite line - the first direct scheduled train of its kind - travels between Germany and Russia once a week, covering roughly 2,200 km in seven days.

Dr. Karl-Friedrich Rausch, member of DB Mobility Logistics' management board and responsible for transportation & logistics, said there has been increased customer demand for logistics services on this route, and DB is the first company to offer a scheduled direct container train from central Germany to the Russian capital.

The train is operated by Trans Eurasia Logistics (TEL), a joint venture founded in 2008 by partners Deutsche Bahn and Russian Railways (RZD), as well as Polzug, Kombiverkehr and TransContainer. DB and RZD each have a 30 percent share in the joint venture.

"Our joint venture aims to offer container transport logistics solutions between Western Europe and Russia from a single source, reinforcing rail freight transport on this important European corridor and increasing its efficiency," said Dr. Alexander Hedderich, CEO of DB Schenker Rail.

The new Moscovite link features train monitoring along the entire route, container handling at the departure and arrival terminals, pre-carriage and onward carriage service, and container provision. The combined CIM-SMGS consignment note is used for direct transport, ensuring quick customs clearance. Containers are transferred to the Russian broad gauge track in Brest, on the Polish-Belarusian border.

  Source: www.eyefortransport.com