The Anchor near Via Baltica

Seeking efficient integration with the enlarged EU transport market and promoting the Lithuanian transport sector competitiveness, we have to meet the present challenges of transportation process. In the process of integration with the EU's economy, one of the first priorities of Lithuanian transport sector is creation of a network of new generation logistics centres (LC) - often called as overland ports.

The city of Panevezys has favourable potential for strategic logistics node in the North Eastern Lithuania and aims at evolving as an important logistic centre in the region at large. In 2003 the Panevezys City Council approved the city development strategy where development of logistics centre project is prioritized. Panevezys Logistics Centre will be situated in the NW of the city, with the territory of 50 ha. It is halfway between two Baltic capitals Vilnius and Riga where motorways Vilnius-Riga and Kaunas-Panevezys-Riga meet. The railway line that runs through Panevëþys leads to the Pan-European rail transport corridor and to the Moscow area. The VIA BALTICA connects Panevezys with Scandinavia and Western Europe. The distance between the future Panevezys Logistics Centre and the port of Klaipeda is ca. 225 km. The Vilnius and Riga airports are about 120 km from Panevezys. Potential access to RAIL BALTICA (2014) is considered too.

The feasibility study for Panevezys Logistics Centre was carried out in the spring 2005.

Accordingly, the development of a modern logistics centre (freight village) must be based on the open intermodal transport centre's concept. The open intermodal centre may be defined as a physical and organizational structure where a large number of - often small or medium sized transport enterprises - may be located with access to facilities supporting intermodal transport and where enterprises may rent facilities and pay according to the usage. The LC infrastructure is going to be developed with the support from the EU's Structural Funds in 2006-2007. The building potential for warehouses is up to 200 000 sq. m.

The concept of Panevezys logistics centre was elaborated in line with the best EU practices and future demands of the region. The establishment of LC infrastructure would consolidate the interests of business community building the solid base for the new generation business service centres. Integration of road and railway transport modes creates new opportunities to develop mobility of freight, to efficiently use the transport means and to improve the quality of transportation services.