First through freight train departs Belarus for Uzbekistan on new "Slavic Caravan" route
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The inaugural direct freight train, named the "Slavic Caravan," commenced its journey from Belarus to Uzbekistan on July 30, as reported by the state-run Belarusian Telegraph Agency (BelTA).
The train's departure point was the Orsha-Vostochnaya station in the Vitebsk province, a strategic choice for cargo consolidation from across Belarus. Its route traverses Belarus, Russia, and Kazakhstan before reaching Uzbekistan.
Initially, the cargo consists of wood-processing products, animal feed, and food items such as sugar and potato starch, with future plans to broaden the variety of goods transported.
Valery Verenich, head of Belarusian Railway (BC), stated that the train will proceed directly to its destination without disaggregation or intermediate stops.
Verenich elaborated, "This will nearly halve delivery times while ensuring cargo security. The train will operate on a fixed schedule, akin to a passenger train, providing precise departure and arrival times. The inclusion of individual 20-ton containers means smaller Belarusian businesses won't need to amass enough cargo to fill an entire 60-ton railcar; they can ship smaller quantities."
Alexander Rogozhnik, chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, highlighted the economic advantages of rail transport over road transport.
"Shipping a 20-ton container by rail is at least one and a half times cheaper than by truck. What previously took up to two months for a single railcar shipment will now take this train only five to seven days to reach Uzbekistan," he explained.
Rogozhnik further noted, "This initiative isn't solely for shipping our goods; an identical train will return laden with Uzbek products, from textiles to food items, including fruits not cultivated in Belarus. This collaboration offers mutual benefits."
He also mentioned upcoming plans to visit Uzbekistan to formalize a cooperation roadmap with leaders in the Andijan province.
Nuriddin Mamajonov, Uzbekistan's newly appointed ambassador, confirmed that return trains will transport Uzbek melons, dried fruit, and textiles to Belarus. According to the newspaper Belarus Segodnya (Belarus Today), both nations have indicated a desire to increase shipment frequency to four trains per month.