State rail operator Russian Railways (RZD) plans to revise freight tariffs, proposing a rebalancing that would raise rates on raw materials and fuel while cutting them for finished metal products, according to Kommersant daily citing Ministry of Economic Development documents.
As followed by bne IntelliNews, the Russian Railways (RZD) investment programme is in focus as Russia relies on rail infrastructure to reroute its sanctioned commodity exports.
Cash-strapped RZD with an annual investment programme of RUB1.2 trillion ($12.36bn) had already had the government hike the rail cargo transportation tariffs, yet still planned to cut its 2025 investment programme by over 33%.
Reportedly, a new proposal by RZD suggests raising first-class freight tariffs by 13.5% for iron ore, 14.5% for coke, and 21% for coking coal. In exchange, tariffs on third-class goods (such as finished steel and scrap) would be reduced by an average of 15.8%.
RZD confirmed to Kommersant that it conducted a joint analysis with companies on a phased convergence of tariffs across metallurgical cargo categories, following instructions from EconMin.
The RZD argues that tariff recalibration would enhance the competitiveness of railway transport for processed metallurgical goods and improve the efficiency of raw materials logistics.
Additionally, RZD has proposed increasing the allowable container transport surcharge to 15% starting in 2027. The company argues that over the past 20 years, the shift of high-value goods from wagons to containers has cost the monopoly RUB52.2bn ($724mn).
This follows earlier steps by RZD to secure a 5% surcharge on container tariffs in 2025 and again in 2026.
RZD is also seeking a 5% increase in 2026 and another 5% in 2027 for tariffs on the empty return journeys of open wagons, covered wagons, and platforms. These adjustments follow the 10% hike implemented in 2025 for universal rolling stock.