The Lithuanian railway infrastructure manager, LTG Infra, has begun construction work on a terminal in Palemonas designed for dual civilian and military use.
By launching this project, Lithuania is taking a step toward ensuring the standards necessary for military mobility; projects of this kind strengthen Lithuania’s capacity to receive and efficiently manage NATO military transports and will enhance the country’s role in the Alliance’s logistics chain.
The start of construction was marked by a symbolic time capsule burial ceremony, attended by the ministers of transport and national defense, as well as representatives of the LTG group and contractors. This moment marks the official launch of the project and underscores its importance for national security and the NATO logistics chain.
“Railways are particularly important for both civilian evacuation and the rapid movement of military forces in Europe. By investing in the development of military mobility infrastructure in Palemonas, we are strengthening the security of Lithuania and the entire Baltic region,” said Minister of Transport Juras Taminskas.
The work is being carried out by the companies Gevalda, Kauno keliai, and Statybų techninė priežiūra, winners of the public tenders. The total value of the project, including design, expertise, construction, and technical supervision, amounts to 37.4 EUR million.
Expansion and modernization of the intermodal terminal
The project is divided into two parts. In one of these, a loading platform with a reinforced surface area of approximately 36,000 m² will be built and modernized in Palemonas, capable of supporting cargo weighing up to 100 tons and vehicles weighing up to 120 tons.
In total, approximately 46,000 m² of hard surfaces will be built or modernized. Two 1,435 mm gauge lines and one 1,520 mm gauge line with terminal ramps will also be built, along with utility networks, security systems, and noise and vibration reduction measures.
A second component of the project involves the 1,435 mm European gauge railway infrastructure, which will be expanded through the construction of three new lines with a minimum usable length of 750 m, and three existing lines will be extended to the same length.
In total, the project will include the reconstruction of approximately 5.5 km of tracks and the installation of 12 switches, as well as the modernization and installation of new utility networks. The project is being implemented using advanced BIM methodology, ensuring efficient management of design and construction processes.
“The expansion of the military mobility infrastructure in Palemonas is a strategic step that strengthens Lithuania’s readiness to receive large volumes of military transport and ensures that our railway network operates as reliably as the logistics hubs of the most advanced NATO countries. It is an investment that is equally important for both defense and civilian logistics,” said Arūnas Rumskas, acting CEO of the LTG Group.
The Palemonas Terminal Becomes a Mobility Hub for NATO
Upon completion, Palemonas will become one of the most important military mobility hubs in Lithuania, significantly increasing the country’s and the region’s readiness to receive and manage NATO military transports.
The project will significantly expand the intermodal terminal’s loading and storage capacities. This is essential for receiving and transshipping NATO military transports arriving on the standard 1,435 mm gauge, in accordance with European standards, and then transferred to the 1,520 mm broad gauge for onward transport to Latvia, Estonia, or the port of Klaipėda. It will also enable more efficient deployment and support for the German brigade in Lithuania.
“By investing in military mobility today, we are investing in Lithuania’s security, readiness, and closer cooperation with our allies. Modern infrastructure—roads, railways, and logistics hubs—is an essential part of a strong state. The loading area at the Palemonas terminal will ensure that Lithuania is prepared to rapidly receive allied forces, efficiently coordinate logistics, and strengthen the resilience of NATO’s eastern flank,” said Minister of National Defense Robertas Kaunas.
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