Total volume of cargo loading across the network of JSC Russian Railways (JSC "RZD") in January-April 2014 remained unchaged on last year's figure and reached 395.8 million tonnes, the RZD said in a press release.
In the reporting period coal volume loaded on the RZD network fell 1.4% on the same period 2013, to 101.6 million tonnes, coke shipments dropped 5.2% to 3.7 million tonnes, handling of crude oil and petroleum products increased by 3% to 86,8 million tonnes (+3.3%), shipment of iron and manganese ore totaled 35,4 million tonnes (-1.1%), ferrous metals - 23.4 million tonnes (-1.9%), ferrous metals scrap – 4,1 million tonnes (-3.1%), chemical and mineral fertilizers – 17,3 million tonnes (+10.5%), cement – 8,8 million tonnes (-6.3%), timber cargo – 13,6 million tonnes (+11.7%). Loading of grain and milled grain products soared 62.7% to 5,1 million tonnes. Handling of construction materials decreased by 10.4% to 43,8 million tonnes, the volume of ferrous ore and sulfur raw material dropped by 5.6% to 6,3 million tonnes, of chemicals and soda – by 1.7% to 8,8 million tonnes, while loading of industrial raw and molding materials increased by 5.2% to 10.1 million tonnes (+5.2%).
In the reporting period freight turnover reached 727,4 billion of tariff t / km (+5.9%) and rose 7%, including empty freight car miles, to 969.5 billion t / km.
In April, loading of cargo on the network of RZD totaled 101.9 million tonnes, a 0.7-percent decline as compared to April 2013.
The monthly cargo throughput rose 3.4% year-on-year to 190,5 billion tariff t / km and taking into account empty runs in April was up 4.1% to 243,2 billion t/km.