International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) has announced that the first regular train connection between Rijeka, Croatia, through the Adriatic Gate Container Terminal (AGCT), and Paskov in the Czech Republic has been in operation.

The Manila-headquartered ICTSI operates, manages and develops the Adriatic Gate Container Terminal (AGCT) at the Port of Rijeka, Croatia's main seaport with Luka Rijeka D.D.

"The Czech market is one of the most important markets in Europe with a significant manufacturing hub and consumer market," said Emmanuel Papagiannakis, AGCT chief executive officer, adding that currently, there are multiple regular weekly block trains between Rijeka, Serbia, Bosnia and Hungary with extensions for Slovakia. 

"We appreciate that Maersk has launched this initiative adding direct rail services to Czechia. This also confirms the growing significance of AGCT as a gateway for Central Europe and Southeast Europe," Papagiannakis added.

ICTSI noted that the Maersk rail service which runs up to two times per week was launched in May.

The rail service is operated by ČD Cargo Adria, a subsidiary of Czech freight operator ČD Cargo, the largest railway transport provider in the Czech Republic and one of the major rail operators on the Trans-European Network corridor including Slovakia, Germany, Austria, Poland and now expanding in Croatia.