Limited capacity of Eastern Polygon in transportation of containers threatens with 13.3% loss of GDP — SRC

Companies operating in the most import-dependent sectors the functioning of which is crucially affected by inability to transport more containers with import cargo across the Eastern Polygon account for 13.3% of GDP, IAA PortNews correspondent cites Vladislav Onishchenko, President of Strategic Research Center, as saying at the 16^th forum Transport of Russia.

According to him, about 47% of Russia companies’ mechanical machinery is imported with the share varying in different sectors. For example, in manufacture of motor vehicles and production of medicines it makes about a half. TransContainer (a company of Delo Group) expects the import of the key container cargoes via western borders of the Russian Federation to fall by 9.5 million tonnes. Meanwhile, the import of the key container cargoes via the Eastern Polygon is to grow by 11.5 million tonnes in 2023-2024. According to the company, crucial imports via the Eastern Polygon totaled 4.3 million tonnes in 2021 (chemical industry products, machinery, spare parts, equipment and electric systems).

“If these additional volumes are not imported, import-dependent sectors will show a decrease of GDP of about 13.3-13.5%. If imports are reduced the companies will not be able to ensure production,” said Vladislav Onishchenko.