Russia is getting a new set of rules determining priority on the rail network from September onwards. Freight is forced to yield to all other types of rail transportation. It remains at the bottom of the priority list, even as crucial trade infrastructure is already at maximum capacity.

The new priority system in Russia does freight no favours. It remains at the bottom of the list, which has firefighting trains and recovery trains at the top of the list. Military trains follow in second place, followed by various types of passenger trains, mail, special transport, and lastly, freight trains.

At the same time, various types of freight trains get their own priority rules amongst themselves. Contract transit cargo gets priority between freight trains, followed by trains subsidised on the condition of priority. Next in line are various types of domestic freight, raw materials and energy exports, followed by other import and export products.

Massive investments rather than priority change

In conclusion, Russia is not changing the priority position for rail freight and is keeping it at the bottom of the list. Simultaneously, freight may just be in need of a priority boost as congested infrastructure provides an obstacle to trade.

Russia is in the process of redirecting its trade flows towards China, as Western sanctions have closed doors in the opposite direction. For trade flows eastward, Russia primarily uses its railway infrastructure in the Far East. This infrastructure is currently operating at maximum capacity to facilitate boosted trade with China. To alleviate this, Russia is investing massively in expanding throughput capacity. However, a move up on the priority does not seem to be on the table for freight trains.

Also read:

• China-EU freight through Russia nearly back at pre-war levels
• Russia to spend an additional trillion rubles on ‘Eastern Polygon’ lines
• Russia and Belarus to harmonise rail freight tariffs