Russian Railways reports rail freight stagnation in 2023
Russian Railways have observed a slight decrease in the total volume of transported cargo throughout 2023. The total volume amounted to 1,232 billion tonnes, 0,2 per cent less than the previous year. December saw a decrease of nearly two per cent in the total monthly transport volumes.
A number of factors contributed to the reduction of cargo volumes, according to Russian Railways (RZD), especially in the fourth quarter of the year. Rising fuel prices within Russia have led the government to restrict fuel exports and caused a reduction in transport volumes.
Additionally, the completion of major infrastructure projects in Central Russia, maintenance works at major transportation enterprises and an increase in locomotive repair downtimes contributed to the reported lower volumes. Large-scale construction and repair works did not allow RZD to substitute the reduced cargo volume with the transportation of other goods.
On the other hand, RZD reported annual growth in the cargo volumes of grain (37,1 per cent), cox (a solid residue from coal ovens that can be used as fuel, 13,7 per cent), scrap metals (6,7 per cent), industrial raw materials (6,1 per cent), fertilisers (5,4 per cent) and black metals (2,3 per cent). The Transbaikal, Far East and Gorky subsidiaries of RZD experienced the largest transport volume growth throughout 2023, with growths of 14,2 per cent, 5,1 per cent and 2,6 per cent respectively. RZD did not report on the goods or subsidiaries that saw a reduction in transport volumes.
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