One of the main transport policy objectives is to integrate Lithuanian transport infrastructure into the Trans-European Networks (TEN) which were approved at the Second Pan-European Transport Conference in Crete. Two out of the nine multi-modal transport corridors that cross Lithuanian territory were approved as being of major importance: International Corridor No. 1 in a north-south direction (the Via Baltica motorway and the Tallinn-Riga-Kaunas-Warsaw railway) and Corridor No. 9 in an east-west direction consisting of 9B (Kiev-Minsk-Vilnius-Kaunas-Klaipeda) and 9D (Kaunas-Kaliningrad). Lithuania is actively implementing the infrastructure development guidelines. The government accords investment priorities to the reconstruction and modernization of these projects. The financial viability of investment projects creates favourable conditions for co-operation with IFI programmes (EIB, EBRD, WB) and the EU's PHARE programme.

Marine Transport
Sea routes through Klaipeda State Seaport extend the road and rail lines of the east/west corridor 9B to other European seaports.

Klaipeda State Seaport is one of the ice-free ports on the eastern coast of the Baltic Sea, and is able to receive ships up to 200 m in length and with a draught of 10.5 m.

Every year about 7000 ships enter the port from over 45 countries, and the port handles up to 21 million tons of cargo, including metal, oil products, grain, foodstuffs, cement, timber, fertilizers, consumer goods in containers, trailers, railway wagons, etc.

From Klaipeda Seaport there are regular ferry, Ro-Ro and cargo services to Germany, Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, Russia, Poland, Great Britain and other countries. The infrastructure of the port is being modernized and expanded. The main projects are as follows: construction of container and bulk-cargo terminals, reconstruction of the facilities for oil products, ferries and Ro-Ro traffic, improvement of the port entrance infrastructure, dredging of the water territory of the port to a depth of 14 m, reconstruction of the quay walls and development of the portšs railways. The implementation period of the projects is 1996-2005 and the total cost estimate is USD 200 million. Both state and private stevedoring companies operate in the port (Klaipeda Stevedoring Company KLASCO, Corsortium Klaipeda Terminal, etc.). Efficient cargo handling, warehousing facilities and quality road and railway access to the hinterland ensure reliable transport links between West and East.

In the years of its operation as an independent entity, the Lithuanian Shipping Company LISCO has undertaken a new and promising line of activity transporting passengers, cars and trailers. It owns over 40 vessels with capacities between 2000 and 14,000 tons, and operates the ferry lines Klaipeda-Kiel, Klaipeda-Mukran and Klaipeda-Åhus.

Rail Transport
There are more than 2000 km of railway lines in Lithuania, with a track gauge of 1,520 mm (the Russian standard). There is a 22-km European-gauge line from the Polish border to Sestokai railway station. Preparation of a European-gauge project from the Polish border to Kaunas is under way. Transit freight transport in the east-west direction from the ports of Klaipeda and Kaliningrad constitute the main share of railway transport in Lithuania. On the north-south line in the direction of Warsaw, the volume of freight is not yet heavy, but is showing a tendency to rise. In 1996, over 29.1 million tons of freight were carried on Lithuaniašs railways, 15 million tons of which consisted of transit transport. The railway infrastructure is being modernized and the rolling stock is being renewed. Considerable state investments are allocated for the development of railway transport, and state guarantees have been granted for credit from international financial institutions.

Air Transport
Two national companies operate in Lithuania: Lithuanian Airlines (LAL) and Air Lithuania. There are three international airports (Vilnius, Kaunas and Palanga). At present, the national airlines operate flights to 18 foreign countries. The scheduled networks are being expanded every year. The aircraft fleet is being renovated and the airports modernized. Modernization of the air traffic control system has been completed, and the new equipment installed guarantees the safety of aircraft in Lithuanian air space.

Road Transport The years 1995-96 saw successful completion of the privatization of road transport, which now operates under market conditions. In 1996, Lithuanian carriers made 247,200 international freight transport trips to 28 countries in Europe and Asia.

Lithuaniašs state road system covers 21,000 km, and the high-quality roads provide favourable conditions for international traffic. Substantial sums are allocated for road construction and maintenance. The implementation of the huge investment project Via Baltica has begun, and the feasibility study estimates that by the year 2000, traffic flows will rise to 4000-8000 vehicles per day, and that this figure will rise to 9000-38,000 vehicles per day by the year 2005. This route connects Finland and the Baltic countries with the road networks of Central and Southern Europe.

Transport Industry
Ship repairing and shipbuilding are carried out in Klaipeda companies and shipyards. Various types of vessel of sizes up to 115 x 16.5 m are built there. There are three aviation repair companies in the country, and an aviation plant manufacturing high-quality gliders.

The Lithuanian State Road network is 21,000 km long and provides favourable conditions for international traffic.