China-Russia rail freight hits 53 million tons from Jan-Oct

THE volume of rail freight between China and Russia has increased 33 per cent in the first 10 months of 2010 to reach 53 million tons, according to Russian Railways president Vladimir Yakunin.

Speaking at the fifth Russian-Chinese Economic Forum in Moscow last month, Mr Yakunin said about 94 per cent of the cargo comprises Russian oil, timber, chemicals, and mineral fertiliser exports. However, this year also saw a rise in the volume of Chinese machinery and technical goods imported into Russia.

"Russian Railways is paying close attention to improving transport provision and developing rail and terminal-logistic infrastructure on the main freight routes between Russia and China," said Mr Yakunin, according to American Shipper.

The report also noted that in keeping with the Russian government's plans, the railway operator is developing infrastructure in Siberia and Russia's Far East.

During the whole of 2010 the volume of heavy goods containers transported as rail freight between Russia and China is anticipated to increase by about 50 per cent, along with transit freight between China and European Union.

"As part of efforts to develop cooperation in rail container freight, Russian Railways has reached agreements with Chinese and German partners on creating a joint venture for container transport. The Russian Railways subsidiary TransContainer will represent Russia in the joint venture," the report said.

Through the cooperation programme between Russia's Far East, east Siberia and China's northwest provinces, Russian Railways plans to develop a new border crossing between Russia and China. The project involves the creation of a railway line from Leninsk to the Chinese border, along with the construction of a railway bridge from Nizhneleninskoye to Tongjiang across the Amur River, and the reconstruction of the existing Birobidzhan-Leninsk line.

The parties aim to be able to deliver 20 million tons of iron ore and other commodities to China annually by 2020, the report added.
(Source:www.schednet.com)