The Estonian rail operator Operail is once again carrying freight from Russia. The company was barred from doing so earlier by the government. Now that it has been privatised, such restrictions are no longer applicable.
As opposed to the Estonian government, Operail’s new owners seem to have no issue with carrying Russian freight. The operator started transporting palm oil for Baltic Oil Service from Russia to the town of Paldiski, according to Estonian media.
Before the takeover by Operail, it was Latvia’s state operator LDz that was transporting the palm oil from Russia. Unlike Estonia, its southern neighbour did not stop its rail company from transporting the load.
Privatisation
Earlier, Estonia opted to privatise Operail in an attempt to make the company competitive again. After the loss of crucial volumes of Russian freight due to sanctions, the company’s financial situation deteriorated significantly. In December 2024, real estate company Tiigi Keskus purchased the company for 19 million euros.