As of late 2025, the Russian Railways (RZD) posted a slight decline in container transport volumes, which, however, had no effect on the long-term uptrend. According to a study by the Institute of Transport Economics and Development (IETD), the market is expected to recover as early as 2026, and its volume could increase by 50 percent by 2035.
The total volume of container transport by rail amounted to 7.56 million TEU in 2025, which is 4.1 percent lower than in 2024. The decline mostly affected import and transit traffic, while exports showed positive dynamics. «Other goods» continue to play a key role in the structure of transport, accounting for 48 percent, or 3.6 million TEU. This segment includes a wide range of cargo from chemicals and consumer goods to metals and fertiliser.
Container transport, million TEU 
Geography of transport
The logistics flows had shifted conclusively from the Gulf of Finland ports to the Far East and border crossings with Kazakhstan which increased the load on east-west («latitudinal») rail corridors and necessitated new technological solutions, such as transporting containers in open wagons and forming long heavy-duty trains. The Far Eastern Railway has become a key testing ground for the infrastructure development: the total projected capacity of terminals in Primorye Territory is estimated at nearly 19,000 TEU per day.
Eurasian transit
In 2025, overland China-Europe-China rail routes faced a series of challenges, such as volatile maritime freight rates and geopolitical risks. The IETD estimates that traffic along this route fell by 18 percent to 353,500 TEU. The share of the Central Eurasian corridor in transit reached 88 percent. By the end of the year, rail transit rates (Dostyk/Altynkol — Brest) stood at $3,284 per TEU.
Outlook for 2026
The dynamics of 2026 will be shaped by a number of measures such as RZD tariff discounts on key routes, including the International North-South Transport Corridor; the entry into force of amended freight forwarding law (including full transition to electronic document management); and wide-ranging efforts by operators to upgrade port equipment. Market participants expect that stricter state regulation in logistics will lead to higher consolidation among Russian freight forwarders and Chinese companies entering the market. Overall, growth expectations deferred from 2025 to 2026 are supported by investment activity and the development of new logistics services.
Forecast through 2035
According to market participants, container traffic operated by Russian Railways could reach 10-12 million TEU by 2035. This growth will be driven by several factors.
The strong growth of terminal and logistics infrastructure is one such factor. Each year, investors submit applications for the construction and modernisation of facilities, particularly in the Moscow, West Siberian, and Far Eastern regions.
Wider container use for new cargo categories such as grain, fertiliser, and chemicals is factor number two.
Digitalisation comes in third. The introduction of the Internet of Things (IoT) technology will transform containers into autonomous smart units, making real-time monitoring of cargo location and condition possible. Forecasts suggest that the global IoT transport market will grow at an average annual rate of 22 percent through 2034.
Container transport on Russian Railways (RZD) network, million TEU
