Under the current sanctions against Russia, the logistics industry is faced with the need to radically restructure the established routes of international cargo transportation. Traditional transport corridors passing through the countries of the European Union have been partially or completely closed to Russian carriers. This led to the search and development of alternative routes for the delivery of goods to and from Russia.
The eastern direction:
Trans-Siberian Railway, BAM
The Trans-Siberian Railway (Transsib) and the Baikal-Amur Mainline (BAM) have become key criteria for cargo transportation between Russia and the countries of the Asia-Pacific region. These railways provide a link between the major industrial centers of Russia and the ports of the Far East, such as Vladivostok and Nakhodka.
Advantages:
- Shorter delivery time compared to by sea.
- The possibility of transporting bulky goods.
- Developed infrastructure, regular communication.
The Northern Sea Route (NSR)
The Northern Sea Route has gained special importance as an alternative route for maritime transport between Europe and Asia. The NSR runs along the Arctic coast of Russia, which significantly reduces the time of cargo delivery.
Features of the NSR:
- Seasonality of navigation (mainly from July to November).
- The need to use an icebreaking fleet.
- Potential for the development of Russia's Arctic infrastructure.
Southern direction: new partnerships
North-South International Transport Corridor
This multimodal route connects Russia with Iran and India via the Caspian Sea. It includes a combination of sea, rail, and road transportation.
Key areas:
- Sea route: St. Petersburg - Astrakhan.
- Caspian Sea: Astrakhan - port of Enzeli (Iran).
- Overland route through Iran to the port of Bandar Abbas.
- Sea route to the ports of India.
Overland routes through Central Asia
The creation of transport corridors through Central Asian countries opens up new opportunities for cargo transportation between Russia, China, countries of the Middle East.
The main directions:
- Kazakhstan - Uzbekistan - Turkmenistan - Iran.
- Kazakhstan - Kyrgyzstan - Tajikistan - Afghanistan - Pakistan.
Air transportation: adaptation to new conditions
Development of regional airports
Under the conditions of restrictions on flights in European airspace, Russia is actively developing regional airports to provide international cargo transportation.
Key directions:
- Expansion of the capacity of airports in Siberia and the Far East.
- Creation of new cargo hubs in strategically important regions.
Cooperation with neutral countries
Strengthening partnerships with airlines and airports of countries that have not joined the sanctions allows maintaining air links with key markets.
Promising areas:
- The use of airports in Turkey, the UAE, and other countries as transit points.
- Development of cooperation with Asian air carriers.
The development of alternative routes for international cargo transportation in the face of sanctions requires an integrated approach and significant investments in infrastructure.
The key success factors are:
- Diversification of transport corridors.
- Multimodal transportation.
- Introduction of digital technologies in logistics.
- Strengthening cooperation with friendly countries.
Despite the difficulties caused by the sanctions, the Russian logistics industry is demonstrating its ability to adapt to new conditions. The development of alternative routes not only makes it possible to overcome current limitations, but also opens up new opportunities for optimizing cargo transportation and strengthening economic ties with partners in Asia and the Middle East.
