Russian Railways sees coal load return to growth in eastern Siberia

IRKUTSK. Nov 2 (Interfax) - Coal load on the East Siberian Railway, part of Russian Railways (RZD), grew 0.8% year-on-year to 23.8 million tonnes in January-October 2024, East Siberian Railway's press service said.

It was previously reported that coal load grew in January-July. However, coal load fell slightly in 8M and 9M by 1.7% and 1%, respectively, East Siberian Railway said.

The main enterprises shipping coal within the East Siberian Railway's area of operation are VostSibUgol (En+ [MOEX: ENPG]), which produces both bituminous and lignite coal, and SUEK's Tugnui open-pit mine, which produces bituminous coal.

Loading of iron and manganese ore increased 1.5-fold to 3.7 million tonnes, timber products 1.9% to 2.3 million tonnes, industrial raw materials and molding materials 6.3% to 1.7 million tonnes, cement 4% to 633,800 tonnes and chemicals and soda 7.5% to 363,300 tonnes in 10M.

Loading of oil and petroleum products fell 1.2% to 7 million tonnes, construction cargo 10.9% to 1.6 million tonnes, ferrous metals 21% to 39,800 tonnes and coking coal 30.2% to 35,600 tonnes.

Total load on the East Siberian Railway in 10M stood at 48.5 million tonnes, up 3.4% year-on-year. Load was up 9.2% YoY to 4.9 million tonnes in October.

The East Siberian Railway runs through the Irkutsk region, Buryatia and partly through Trans-Baikal Territory and Yakutia.