Russian Railways, the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan and the Association of Trans-Siberian Intermodal Operators of Japan have concluded an agreement on the organisation of rail container traffic between Japan-Russia-Europe.
The agreement was signed in Tokyo on 24 May 2019 by the Deputy Minister of Transport of the Russian Federation Vladimir Tokarev, First Deputy Managing Director of Russian Railways Alexander Misharin, the First Deputy Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan (MLIT) Yasuhiro Sinohara and the President of the Trans-Siberian Intermodal Operators Association of Japan (TSIOAJ) Massoud Kenjiro.
The purpose of the memorandum is to develop a safe, seamless, fast and convenient container service and increase the volume of container cargo shipments using the Trans-Siberian Railway between Japan-Russia-Europe.
The parties agreed to develop jointly the necessary transport and logistics infrastructure, including an increase in the throughput and carrying capacity of the Trans-Siberian Railway, port and land terminal capacities, and the provision of a sufficient number of rolling stock and containers.
Russian Railways and TSIOAJ will also make efforts to establish regular direct communications between the ports of Japan and the Russian Far East.
In addition, the parties will strive to improve transportation processes, including optimising the procedures for processing containerised cargo at the sea-port-railway interface, in order to reduce delivery times and ensure uninterrupted service of container traffic on the Japan-Russia-Europe link.
To reduce shipment costs and establish the competitive cost of container transportation services between Japan-Russia-Europe, it is assumed that container trains will operate at optimal levels, including with full loads, and that freight traffic in the reverse direction from Europe to Japan will be attracted.
In order to reduce delivery times, Russian Railways and TSIOAJ will work on a system of information exchange, including electronic data exchange and preliminary electronic information on the f reight at border crossings in order to achieve accelerated customs clearance.
The sides will also explore the possibility of creating an integrated system for tracking containerised cargo throughout the whole transit route, including on Russia’s railways and ports and Japan’s ports, as well as the possibility of using electronic means to protect freight with location monitoring functions.
(Source: RZD)
