A new 'Moscovite' container rail service linking Duisburg and Moscow has commenced and covers the 2,200 kilometres between the two in seven days, German railways logistics specialist DB Schenker has announced.

"We passed the test run with flying colours," said DB Mobility Logistics management board member Karl-Friedrich Rausch. "We have seen an increase in customer demand for logistics services on this route. We are 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) GmbH, 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 per cent stake, a statement from DB Schenker said.

The freight transported on the first trains included electronics and chemical products. 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, near the Polish-Belarusian border.

 Source: shipping online