RF Ministry of Transport has not changed 2007 tariffs for container transit from the Far Eastern ports to Europe by Trans-Siberian line, Interfax reports according to RZD-Partner. According to the tariff policy approved for CIS and Baltic states the tariffs are to be left at the level of 2006. New tariffs were introduced in 2006 in order to prevent "latent import", when cargo was delivered to Finland first and then to Russia by motor transport. The tariff for loaded container delivered from Vostochny port of Primorsky Krai to Buslovskaya station of Finland grew by over 30%, while tariff for back delivery of empty container increased 7-fold. It resulted in decrease of transit cargo flow. According to Main Calculation Center of RZD OJSC transit via Russian ports decreased in the 9-month period by 16.1% against year-on-year result – to 1.8 million tons. The share of transit is 0.2% of all transportation by Russian railways.
Tariffs for container transit by Trans-Siberian line are not to be changed in CIS
During the whole year private operators and RZD representatives insisted on revision of transit policy. Representatives of FESCO and Far East Transport Group warned that transit cargo flows may be re-oriented to sea lines, which would be very difficult to return. Vladimir Yakunin, President of RZD OJSC told in March and in April about the company’s intention to propose tariff decrease. The “Tariff Policy international transportation of cargo by railways of CIS countries for 2007" was approved on October 26 in Minsk at the XV tariff conference of railway administrations of CIS countries. In Russia the policy will come into effect after its publication in official mass media.