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NORFOLK -- The Virginia Port Authority (VPA) and Klaipeda State Seaport Authority signed on Jan 17 a memorandum of understanding that establishes the groundwork for information sharing aimed at generating new business by promoting the all-water route between the Lithuanian seaport and Virginia. According to the press release of VPA, the three-year agreement will see both organizations cooperate, where possible, on marketing activities, market research, exchange of information, technology, modernization details and cross-training.  "These kinds of agreements signify the beginnings of a working relationship and hopefully a long-term relationship where both parties benefit," said Jerry A. Bridges, the VPA's executive director. "The Port of Klaipeda is strategically located on the Baltic Sea and important to our nation's effort in Afghanistan." The state-run Port of Klaipeda is located on the east coast of the Baltic Sea and is the primary overland (rail) gateway into northern Afghanistan. The port is northernmost ice-free port on the Baltic Sea and is the largest Lithuanian transport hub, connecting sea and inland traffic lanes; last year the port handled nearly 325,000 TEUs.

The agreement was signed by Bridges and Dr. Eugenijus Gentvilas, director general of the Klaipeda State Seaport Authority and immediately went into effect.

"This visit is important not only to the Virginia and Klaipeda port, but also to Lithuania and the US," said the Lithuanian Minister of Transport, Eligijus Masiulis. "Our future plan is to develop direct shipping lines between Klaipeda and distant American ports and the signing of this memorandum of understanding is a good start."

Lithuanian Ambassador to the US Žygimantas Pavilionis was among the delegation of representatives from several Lithuanian transportation sectors that attended the signing event. The Lithuanian delegation included:

• Vytautas Naudužas, ambassador at-large, special envoy on transport, Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Romualdas Kozyrovicius, special advisor to director general of Lithuanian Railway
• Simonas Šatūnas, deputy chief of mission, Lithuanian Embassy, Washington, DC
• Vaidotas Šileika, director general of Klaipeda Terminal
• Jurgita Skritaite, deputy director of Transport Policy Department, Ministry of Transport
• Andrejus Ponomariovas, deputy head of LG Ekspedicija, a subsidiary of Lithuanian Railway