Inter-freight Logistics Department Report as of August 21, 2025

1. Delivery via the Baltics. Rate trends. Departure situation. Transit times. Rail evacuation from Klaipėda. Truck evacuation from Klaipėda – news, nuances, situation at border crossings.

On the route via Klaipėda, a downward trend in rates for all container types continues (approximately 50 USD for 20-foot containers and around 200 USD for 40-foot containers). Delivery times remain at the same level with a characteristic shift in vessel departure schedules.

Lines continue to demonstrate a selective approach, preferring lightweight containers and limiting the acceptance of heavy ones. Increased demand for the Baltic route leads to regular booking postponements to later sailings.

Rail evacuation maintains standard processing times; however, it has significantly complicated following the introduction of a new package of sanctions affecting a wide range of cargo. At the same time, the availability of rolling stock and infrastructure operations remain stable.

Truck evacuation shows a similar picture - standard customs clearance times are coupled with problems on the return leg, where there is a significant buildup of vehicles due to limited capacity at border crossings (50 vehicles/day).

2. Delivery via the Far East. Rate trends. Situation with port departures. Rail placement. Transit times. Nuances.

Rates on the route show mixed dynamics: a decrease of approximately $100 has been recorded for 20-foot containers, while 40-foot containers show an increase of about $80. Cargo processing times are 12-14 days at the port of Vostochny and from 14 days at VMTB, depending on the accumulation level of shipments.

The typhoon season in China is making adjustments to schedules - vessel departures are delayed by 2-6 days. Effective August 1st, new regulations for the transport of dangerous goods come into force, expanding the list of substances permitted for transportation.

The rail placement procedure requires 4-10 days for processing, with 80% of containers undergoing mandatory weighing with a maximum limit of 26 tons. Actual shipment times vary from 7 to 10 days.

The main commodities remain chemical products, including hazardous categories, and auto parts. Delays in transit clearance of 3-4 days are noted, caused by technical failures in electronic systems, as well as an increase in time for repacking due to tightened cargo securing requirements.

3. Direct Rail. Rate trends. Departure situation. Situation at border crossings. Transit times.

For direct rail services, a significant increase in rates is noted: via Kazakhstan, an increase of around 450 USD, via Zabaikalsk – by approximately 800 USD. Transshipment times remain within 7-14 days on all routes.

Kazakhstan has tightened control, introducing a six-month ban on the transit of iron and steel (HS codes 7207 and 7206) effective July 17th. In China, a new law on the taxation of export operations comes into force on October 1st, which is already affecting agents' work. Chengdu station has reduced the number of trains, creating a shortage of slots and an additional increase in rates.

​4. Delivery via Novorossiysk. Rate trends. Departure situation. Transit times. Nuances.

Ocean freight rates show a significant increase: containers have risen in price by approximately 500-600 USD. Delivery times, including transshipment, remain at the level of 45-50 days.

Organizing truck evacuation to Minsk requires 14-15 days when using container carriers, including 4-5 days of actual movement. Tent (van) transportation takes 10-13 days but faces a chronic shortage of available transport.

There is an acute shortage of van transport. Transit cargo to Belarus is subject to enhanced inspections (100% weighing, possible X-ray and physical inspections), especially via NLE. It is recommended to use NUTEP for smoother procedure passage.

5. Delivery via St. Petersburg. Rate trends. Departure situation. Transit times. Nuances.

Rates show mixed dynamics: on the northern route, an increase of around 100 USD is noted for all container types, whereas on the southern route, 20-foot containers have become cheaper by approximately 200 USD while 40-foot containers increased by an average of 350 USD. Delivery times are 30-35 days for the northern route and 45-50 days for the southern route.

Truck evacuation to Minsk is carried out within standard timeframes: finding transport takes 1-2 days, transit clearance - 1-3 days, transit time - 1-2 days. At the same time, there is an increased load on the KTSP terminal, which increases the time for processing transit declarations to 1-2 days.

Van transportation requires additional time for repacking and preparation - from 3 to 5 days. Transport availability remains at the same level, with no significant changes observed.

6. Truck delivery of cargo from China. News. Nuances. Situation regarding the evacuation of consolidated shipments to temporary storage warehouses (TSW).

Rates for LTL shipments remain stable, and delivery times are up to 30 days from the moment of cargo pickup from the shipper.

For the FTL direction, a temporary and minor decrease in rates is observed; however, carriers predict an increase due to the approaching "hot season" in China.

On the main routes, mixed dynamics are noted: decreasing rates via the Baltics against increasing rates in the Far East, on rail routes, and in Novorossiysk. Delivery times are increasing due to seasonal factors, enhanced controls, and terminal congestion. A shortage of van transport persists. In the near future, an increase in FTL rates from China is expected, and difficulties with transit to Belarus will continue.

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