Russian Railways records increase in oil loading in Eastern Siberia, fall in coal, timber loading in 2025

IRKUTSK. Jan 14 (Interfax) - Loading on the East Siberian Railway (a branch of OJSC Russian Railways, RZD) amounted to 58.3 million tonnes in 2025, which corresponds to the figure for the previous year, the railway's press service said.

Loading of oil and petroleum products on the railway noticeably increased during the year - by 10.6% to 9.5 million tonnes. Loading of non-ferrous ore and sulfur raw materials rose 1.8-fold to 444,300 tonnes, while loading of coke was up 1.8-fold to 74,200 tonnes.

Growth was also recorded in the following categories: iron and manganese ore - 4.6 million tonnes (+2.5%), chemical and mineral fertilizers - 267,000 tonnes (+5.5%) and grain - 84,500 tonnes (+6%).

During the year, loading of bituminous coal decreased 1.4% to 28.4 million tonnes, timber loading was down 10% to 2.4 million tonnes, loading of industrial raw materials and molding materials fell 16.4% to 1.6 million tonnes, loading of construction cargo declined 19% to 1.5 million tonnes, loading of cement fell 6.9% to 626,500 tonnes, loading of chemicals and soda declined 28.9% to 317,000 tonnes, loading of ferrous scrap metal was down 26.5% to 281,400 tonnes and loading of ferrous metals fell 37% to 29,000 tonnes.

In December, loading increased 4.2% compared to the same month of the previous year, amounting to 5.1 million tonnes.

Freight turnover exceeded 229.1 billion tariff tonne-kilometers in 2025, up 4.4%, and taking into account empty wagon runs stood at 280.3 billion tonne-kilometers (+5.5%). Freight turnover increased 2.5% year-on-year in December 2025, reaching 20 billion tonne-kilometers.

The East Siberian Railway passes through the territory of the Irkutsk region, Buryatia, and partially through Trans-Baikal Territory and Yakutia.