A build up of cargo trains waiting to be unloaded in Russian Far East ports is threatening to paralyze the Far Eastern section of the Trans-Siberian railway, a rail official said on Monday according to RIA Novosti.
One hundred and seven cargo trains loaded with fuel are waiting to be unloaded in ports in the Primorye Territory and the Khabarovsk Territory.
"Last Monday, nearly 70 trains carrying coal and oil products were standing on sidings in the Primorye Territory. By Friday, their number had risen to 102," Alexander Artamonov said.
"As of November 24, there are 107 trains with a total of 6,500 cars bound for the ports of Vostochny, Krabovaya and Posyet," he added.
He also said that the weather was the major cause for delays in unloading. In addition, dock workers had failed to deal with growing amounts of cargo.
"A week ago it was raining in the Primorye, and then night temperatures dropped below zero. The coal froze together, slowing down the process of unloading," he said.
The Vostochny Port press service refused to comment on the situation.
Heads of the Far Eastern Railway, dock employees, and shipping companies are to hold an emergency meeting at Vostochny on November 27 to discuss ways of dealing with the build up.