Belarusian Railway reduces the volume of freight transportation

Volumes have declined, and revenues have decreased, especially with discounts on major export cargoes…

In the first quarter of 2023, Belarusian Railway transported 23.4 million tons of goods, which is 82% compared to the same period last year. This information was reported by the railway portal Railway Supply, citing the Belarusian railway community.

It is noted that the decrease in transportation volumes and freight turnover is associated with a reduction in the transportation of:

• Coal (33.3% compared to the same period in 2022),
• Timber (55.5%),
• Oil and petroleum products (89.3%),
• Chemicals and soda (74.6%),
• Ferrous metals (83.5%),
• Iron and manganese ores (22.5%),
• Industrial raw materials (80.8%).

The average distance of freight transportation has decreased by 7.5 km or 2.1%.

At the same time, transportation to Russian ports has increased fivefold, reaching 3 million tons.

There is also an increase in the volume of container transportation: import – 73.5 thousand containers to the Customs Union, an increase of 192.6%; export – 71 thousand containers to the Customs Union, an increase of 196.4%; domestic transportation – 17.2 thousand containers to the Customs Union, an increase of 154.7%; China-Belarus-China combination – 85 thousand containers to the Customs Union, a growth of 3.1 times.

Track maintenance tools: Hydraulic track jack DK-10

“Belarusian Railway does not implement investment projects and plans to acquire wagons due to a lack of financing sources.

It is entirely predictable: volumes have fallen, and revenues have declined, especially with discounts on major export cargoes.

At the same time, Belarusian Railway is facing a severe shortage of rolling stock. It is also clear that transportation distances on routes to Russia have increased exponentially,” the statement says.

As reported, Belarusian Railway plans to increase tariffs for freight transportation by 20%.

Railway news you may have missed:

Lviv Locomotive Repairing Plant: Overhaul of auxiliary electrical machines