Logistics Situation Update as of 13 October 2026

1. Direct rail freight. Rate trends. Train departures. Border crossing conditions. Transit times.

Rates for direct rail shipments to Minsk remain unchanged.

Transshipment at the border takes approximately 5–15 days via Kazakhstan and 8–20 days via Zabaykalsk.

Following the end of the public holidays in China, cargo backlogs and shipment postponements are expected, along with adjustments to train departure schedules by the railway operator.

2. Shipments via the Russian Far East. Rate trends. Vessel departures from ports. Onward rail dispatch. Transit times. Key considerations.

Sea freight rates for shipments via the Russian Far East to Minsk have increased across all the container types listed. Rates for light 20-foot containers have risen by approximately USD 200, for heavy 20-foot containers by around USD 250, and for 40-foot containers by about USD 200.

The public holidays in China have affected vessel departure schedules. Some vessels departed as planned in early October, but many sailings were postponed. Most vessels are expected to depart after the holiday period.

Higher rates for the rail leg have been in effect since 1 October, with an increase of approximately 9%.

Also effective 1 October, the cost of all terminal services provided by TransContainer PJSC at destination stations has been indexed upward by approximately 10%.

The situation with onward rail dispatch varies depending on the port and service. For shipments via Nakhodka, rail departure times remain within standard ranges.

Waiting times for onward rail departure on FESCO services have increased and may reach one month from the date transit arrangements are completed. This period refers specifically to the wait for the container to depart by rail.

Rail dispatch difficulties persist for shipments from Vladivostok Commercial Seaport (VMTP). The terminal is experiencing a shortage of both open-top rail wagons and container flatcars.

3. Shipments via the Baltic states. Rate trends. Departures. Transit times. Rail haulage from Klaipeda. Road haulage from Klaipeda.

Sea freight rates continue to trend downward. Rates for 20-foot containers have fallen by approximately USD 250, while rates for 40-foot containers have decreased by around USD 400. Rates are therefore now declining for both container sizes.

Current offers are valid from 23 September through 16 October. Sea transit times may be approximately 55–60 days or longer.

The rail route from Klaipeda to Shabany remains heavily congested. The estimated transit time to the BelSotra customs clearance point (PTO) is around 14 days, with the return journey taking approximately 10 days.

At Minsk-Sortirovochny station, the wait for onward movement is approximately 5–7 days. Transfer from Shabany station to the BelSotra customs clearance point (PTO) takes around 4–5 days. These stages should be taken into account when planning container collection.

The cost of rail haulage for a 20-foot container depends on whether it is shipped in a pair or individually. Rates for 20- and 40-foot containers include two days of container storage and four days of rail flatcar storage.

For road haulage from Klaipeda to Minsk, transit times depend on the transport arrangement. Transloading takes approximately 2–3 days, while trailer swapping takes about 3–4 days. These road haulage offers apply to 20- and 40-foot containers weighing up to 20 tonnes.

4. Shipments via Novorossiysk. Rate trends. Departures. Transit times. Key considerations.

The service via Novorossiysk has been temporarily suspended due to the worsening situation in the Black Sea.

At present, no sea freight offers are available on this route for either 20-foot or 40-foot containers.

Container truck haulage from Novorossiysk to Minsk has also been temporarily suspended. The same applies to onward haulage by curtain-sided trucks: this option is currently unavailable as well.

5. Shipments via St Petersburg. Rate trends. Departures. Transit times. Key considerations.

Sea freight rates for both 20- and 40-foot containers remain unchanged. The estimated transit time for the direct service is 45–50 days.

Due to the worsening situation in Novorossiysk, most vessels are changing their routes. Under current conditions, the main sea freight flow has been redirected via St Petersburg until the situation in Novorossiysk improves and stabilises.

Lead times for arranging container trucks to Minsk have increased. It currently takes approximately two days to secure a vehicle. Finding a truck for same-day or next-day collection is virtually impossible, so onward haulage should be arranged in advance.

For shipments under the VTT customs transit procedure, customs transit processing takes approximately two days. Road transit to Minsk takes around one day.

With the volume of work increasing, container truck haulage rates are expected to rise. The risk of cargo being selected for additional inspections at St Petersburg ports also remains high. Preliminary weighing is recommended before submitting the transit declaration.

Onward haulage to Minsk by curtain-sided truck is also available under the VTT customs transit procedure. It takes approximately one day to find a vehicle and two days to arrange customs transit. Road transit takes around 1–2 days.

6. Road freight. Latest developments. Key considerations. Transport of LTL shipments to temporary storage warehouses.

Rates for less-than-truckload (LTL) shipments from China remain unchanged. The estimated transit time is 30–35 calendar days.

For full-truckload (FTL) shipments from China, transit times may be up to 30 calendar days. Queues remain at the Manzhouli–Zabaykalsk and Alashankou–Dostyk border crossings, with estimated waiting times of 2–3 days.

On routes via Kazakhstan, there is a shortage of trucks available for onward transport from the border. Vehicle availability along this section should be considered when planning shipments.

FTL freight rates from EU countries remain unchanged. Rates for shipments from Türkiye have also not changed.

Transit times on routes via Iran have increased due to heavy cargo volumes moving through the southern corridor. The previously indicated estimate of around 25 days should be reconfirmed for each specific shipment.

According to media reports, EU ambassadors have agreed on the 22nd sanctions package against Russia, which would add more than 1,500 companies and individuals associated with Russia’s defence sector to sanctions lists. Final approval by the Council of the EU is still pending.