The Russian railway transportation market is entering a phase of structural changes, which was clearly demonstrated by the XXIII International Conference "Transport Services Market: Interaction and Partnership" (RTU-2025). Industry experts agreed that logistics problems are no longer temporary and require systemic solutions.
According to the estimates of the conference participants, the Russian economy is developing according to a multisectoral model. More than half of the subjects of the Russian Federation demonstrate negative dynamics of industrial production. At the same time, as Natalia Zubarevich, professor of the Geography Faculty of Lomonosov Moscow State University, noted, "there is not a single type of mass production that would give a definite plus." This directly affects the volume of cargo transportation.
Why loading on Russian Railways is decreasing
The drop in loading of construction goods was discussed at the plenary session. According to the Eurasia Careers Association, volumes have decreased by 11% since the beginning of the year. The reasons are complex: the slowdown in the construction market, the redistribution of cargo flows in favor of vehicles and the increase in logistics costs.
One of the key factors is the reduction of the gondola fleet and the decrease in bulk cargo transportation. Additional pressure is created by extended delivery times, complicated routes and unstable cargo reception schedules.
Tariffs and costs
Special attention was paid to the tariff policy. By the end of 2025, the cumulative increase in Russian Railways tariffs exceeded 10%, and a further increase is expected in 2026. Experts note that the increase in the tariff burden increases the outflow of goods to alternative modes of transport, primarily automobile.
Container transportation and quality of service
The container segment is also under pressure. According to forecasts, the volume of container traffic in Russia in January–November 2025 decreased by 6.9% year-on-year. The main reasons are a decline in imports and a decrease in consumer demand.
Experts emphasized that the quality of service is becoming a key competitive factor. Reducing downtime, digitalizing fleet management, increasing transparency of tariffs and contractual terms — without these steps, it will be extremely difficult to return the increase in loading.
Conclusion
The railway logistics market is moving from extensive growth to a stage of deep restructuring. For cargo owners, this means a need to review logistics strategies, and for carriers, a focus on service, technology, and tariff policy flexibility.
