Samsung Electronics Co. said Tuesday it has signed a preliminary agreement with Russia's railway authority to ship its goods and parts to Eastern Europe via the Trans-Siberian Railway.

The deal will allow Samsung to reduce the lead time from 35 days of marine transportation to 18 days, the company said in a statement. 

"Shortened lead times will bring Samsung more benefits, including stable inventory control, and immediate and efficient adjustments when product models change," the statement said.

When the container ships arrive in Vladivostok from Samsung's plants in South Korea and China, the containers will be moved via the Russian railway to Slovakia, Hungary and Poland, it said.

"Through close collaboration with Russian Railways, Samsung will endeavor to build up a more efficient and economical logistics network and diversify transportation routes to mitigate unexpected global risks," it said. (Yonhap)