New government setup is supposed to enhance Russian rail

Russia is shuffling its government leadership for the transport sector in order to streamline the development of the country’s transport and logistics. Alongside the traditional transport minister, Russia will now also have former transport minister Vitaly Savelyev as the new deputy Prime Minister for Transport. The two will prioritise the development of the “Eastern Polygon”…

Russia grows first quarter rail exports to China by 27,5%

Russian rail exports to China have grown by 27,5 per cent year-on-year in the first quarter. In total, Russia exported 9,4 million tonnes of freight during this period. The growth reflects an ongoing trend of growing rail freight volumes between the two countries.   As a result of Western sanctions, it is geopolitically important for Russia…

Russia to spend an additional trillion rubles on ‘Eastern Polygon’ lines

Russia will spend an additional one trillion rubles (10 billion euros) on the Trans-Siberian and Baikal-Amur railway lines. The extra financial injection is part of an infrastructure upgrade plan in Russia’s Far East. On 27 March, Russian Railways and the Russian transport ministry agreed on a framework for upgrades until 2035. The Russian transport ministry,…

Huge investments in Russian Far East rail are no break with the past

Russia is planning to invest record-breaking amounts in its Far East railway infrastructure. Unprecedented investments in the East in the coming years might be interpreted as a break with the past and a move away from the West. However, it is unlikely that these investments signal a significant change in policy. The new investments will […]