The Russian Customs Service’s decision to add Ukrainian exporters to the risky category has not yet had a significant effect on the movement of freight trains, an informed source in the industry has told the Center for Transport Strategies.
"Everything is calm so far on our territory. Detailed examination is being performed at the segment from Khutor Mikhailovsky to Bryansk, after crossing the border. For now, trains are instructed not to pass through this segment without the consent of the dispatcher services in order not to impede the movement of passenger trains," the source told the CFTS.
At the same time, Ukraine’s state railway administration (Ukrzaliznytsia) and the Ministry of Infrastructure are not yet commenting on this information.
Truckers, on their part, are forecasting a collapse of the market because transportation of goods to Russia accounts for the lion's share of their cargo turnover.
"This is paralyzing trucking. The lion's share of our traffic - about 60% - goes to Russia,” the press service of the International Road Transport Association (AsMAP) told the CFTS.
As reported, information from the Federation of Employers of Ukraine states that the Russian Customs Service added all Ukrainian exporters to the risk list on August 14, 2013, thus virtually blocking all imports from Ukraine indefinitely.
