According to the international Association "Coordinating Council on Transsiberian transportation", the volume of transportation of large-tonnage containers by rail in the message Russia – Asia-Pacific countries (Republic of Korea, China, Japan) so half of 2017 amounted to 461,6 thousand TEU, or 48% more than in the first half of 2016.

For observation of the expert of the center for economic forecasting of JSC "Gazprom" Kirill Nikoda further growth in container handling will be linked to the development of mutual trade of Russia and APR countries. "In 2017, we are already seeing the restoration of import and export, which positively affects the General dynamics of container turnover. The transit of Russia – Asia-Pacific countries is a good addition to the Russian market of transportations in containers. Its share of total traffic Russia – Asia-Pacific countries is around 20%, the system of discounts works carriers, increases the culture of logistics in connection with the requirements of the shippers in the terms and services", – says the expert.

However, according to him, there are a number of constraining the positive momentum factors. The main of which is export orientation of the Russian economy. "This increases the number of empty containers after unloading of the imported goods, which increases the overall cost of transportation. In the case of transit to Europe tariff component still plays a key role. This is due to the scale of transport which does not allow us to offer competitive sea route prices. Transportation from Asia to Europe is about 20 million TEUs, and the Russian transit – 100-150 thousand TEU," adds K. Nicodemus.
In the first half of 2017 the volume of transit traffic, according to KSTP, was 146 thousand TEU, which is 87% higher than last year. The volume of imports for the first time exceeded the export flow:160,7 against 154,8 thousand TEU thousand TEU, respectively. While last year this proportion was different:107,7 against 125,7 thousand TEU thousand TEU.