Coal transshipment in Far Eastern ports declining due to falling demand in Asia - Central Bank of Russia

VLADIVOSTOK. March 12 (Interfax) - The cargo turnover of Far Eastern ports decreased in January mainly due to coal, and was at its lowest level since March 2025, according to the March report of the Central Bank of Russia on the regional economy.

"Coal transshipment turned out to be below the average level of the last seven years due to reduced demand from Asian countries for steam coal because of its high reserves. In February, the trend continued. As a result, both the levels of coal supplies by rail to the ports of the Far East and the cost of its delivery decreased due to lower rates for leasing gondola cars," the CBR said.

Oil transshipment remained near its ten-year high in January due to stable demand from certain Asian countries. Container turnover of Far Eastern ports decreased 4% month-on-month in January (with seasonal adjustment) due to both imports and exports, but remained slightly above the average level of last year.

In February, a major transport company, as part of the expansion of its own maritime services, launched container shipping with a Southeast Asian country. Demand for shipping containerized cargo by rail increased. In February, a record was set for their shipments from Vladivostok towards the western regions of the country. This, among other things, led to an increase in tariffs for rail container transportation.

Previously, citing information from the Federal Agency for Maritime and River Transport (Rosmorrechflot), it was reported that coal transshipment in the ports of the Far East in 2025 increased 15.6% compared to the previous year, reaching 126.8 million tonnes. This includes exports which increased 15.8% to 125.8 million tonnes, while loading in cabotage traffic decreased 5% to 0.9 million tonnes.

The most significant export figures were provided by the ports of Vanino (Khabarovsk Territory) at 36.3 million tonnes (an increase of 50.3% compared to 2024), Vladivostok at 21 million tonnes (+42.3%), Port Vostochny (Primorye Territory) at 30.2 million tonnes (-8.9%) and Port Shakhtersk (Sakhalin region) at 17.4 million tonnes (+25.9%).