VILNIUS, Lithuania (Nov. 18, 2010) — The Embassy of the United States of America is pleased to announce that shipment of United States cargo through the Lithuanian Port of Klaipeda to Afghanistan in support of International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) operations will begin in December.
The United States Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM), which is responsible for creating and implementing worldwide global deployment and distribution solutions in support of the U.S. Department of Defense, this spring favorably evaluated the facilities at the port of Klaipėda, Lithuania, for use as a port of entry into the Northern Distribution Network (NDN). The commander of U.S. Transportation Command determined that Klaipėda would be an economically viable route for the NDN based on a review of commercial contractor rates for moving commercial-type cargo into Afghanistan for U.S. forces. The rates were shown to be competitive with those of the routes originating in other Baltic ports.
USTRANSCOM is now in the process of booking an initial shipment of approximately 100 20-foot container equivalents (or TEUs) through the port of Klaipėda. The first shipment is expected in December 2010, and shipments will continue as long as the operational requirement remains. Operational considerations will determine the size, frequency, and contents of cargo shipped through Lithuania.
The United States appreciates Lithuania’s willingness and ability to support this important mission and views the addition of a new Northern Distribution Network route using the port of Klaipeda as an illustration of our excellent partnership and mutual support.