Estonian private operator Operail carried out tests to supply construction material for the construction of the Rail Baltica section in the country. Trains transported oil shale waste rock belonging to the initiative partner Enefit Industry between their mine in Ida-Viru county, and Pärnu, with a final decision expected before June.
The pilot involved five convoys, each carrying 2,000 tonnes of oil shale waste rock, a material quite similar to limestone that can be used to build railways. “If logistics tests are smooth the large scale deliveries follow – approximately 800,000 tonnes in total – for the construction of the Rail Baltica Tootsi-Pärnu section”, Enefit Industry said.
Since this construction material is a by-product of the mining of oil shale, using it in construction contributes to a circular economy. Moreover, Estonia has an issue with its disposal, often leading to air, land and water pollution. Thus, finding ways to reutilise this material not only provides additional economic value but might also be good for the environment.
Rail Baltica
Rail Baltica is one of the most ambitious projects in the history of the European Union. A single railway network stretching for 870 kilometres connecting the three Baltic states: Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, from Tallinn to Panevėžys. As expected, a project of this size does not come without challenges, especially when it comes to sticking to deadlines and finding the funds.
For example, the deadline for the completion of the first single-track line has been moved multiple times, from 2025 to 2030 and now rumours that it might not happen before 2035. Finding the funds is also a challenge. European institutions are contributing significantly, especially from the Connecting Europe Facility.
A cross-Baltic railway became even more relevant for the European Union with the beginning of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. After this, the EU decided it is now time to rearm itself and place much more focus on military mobility, where rail has to play a prominent role, especially in Eastern Europe. The line should also benefit passenger transport across the Baltics, while ‘traditional’ rail freight might only remain a side note.
