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The Russian Railways (RZD) recently forged pacts with five neighboring rail administrations to advance partnerships and a rail extension project.

RZD and the Finnish Railways agreed to share international rail transport pertaining to the overall volume of freight shipments between Russia and Finland. By Sept. 1, the companies expect to exchange joint proposals regarding the Belyy Rast multi-modal logistics terminal in Moscow.

The agreement also calls for a joint study with Russian and Finnish authorities on ways to develop information technologies and improve collaboration between the railways and government regulators, including the introduction of an electronic customs clearance system.

Meanwhile, RZD and French national railway SNCF signed a number of supplements to a cooperation agreement inked in March. The companies previously agreed to jointly sell passenger tickets and exchange experience in railway station developments.

Now, RZD and SNCF will set up a joint working group to analyze the organization of rail ticket sales on the Moscow-Paris-Moscow route. The companies also will study the possibility of RZD’s involvement in marketing the services of European rail companies in Russia, and selling and booking RZD tickets around the world.

In addition, SNCF and RZD agreed to promote collaboration between their railway stations, with RZD station managers and other staff to undergo training in France.

Finally, RZD signed a resolution with the Ukraine State Railway Administration, Austrian Railways and Slovak State Railway Co. to complete a feasibility study on a more than $4 billion rail extension from Kosice, Slovakia, to Vienna, Austria.
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The parties plan to connect railway systems in Central Europe with regions crossed by the Trans-Siberian line to attract freight to the Asia-Russia-Central Europe route and make the rail line more competitive with sea and over-the-road transportation.