Trans-Siberian shivers

摘要

As with its ports, the recession has dramatically reduced the volume of container traffic moving by rail through Russia.rnBut that is not the only reason why the dream of using the Trans-Siberian railway (TSR) to connect China with western Europe has had to be put on the back-burner. More severe competition from ocean carriers and airlines has also played a part.rnOcean carriers' container freight rates from Asia to northern Europe were slashed by around 50% in Ql 09, compared to the same period last year, and airfreight prices were cut by an even greater amount.rnIn contrast, Russia's state-controlled railway company (RZD) insisted on putting its infrastructure charges up by 5% at the beginning of the year. Althoughrnfreight rates have since started to increase slightly, RZD implemented another tariff increase of 5.7% on July 1.