From July 21 to 27, 2026, the Ministry of Transport tightened anchorage regulations near the ports of Azov and Kavkaz, the EAEU launched a preferential trade framework with Mongolia, and the government pre-set the autumn 8.5% indexation of rail freight tariffs. Over the course of the week, CPC managed to halt and resume transshipment in Novorossiysk. Flooding shut down freight traffic at Amurzet, while authorities prepare to lift the diesel embargo ahead of the gasoline ban.
Azov Approaches and the Black Sea Oil Hub
On July 21, Interfax reported on the registration of executive orders by the Ministry of Transport. Anchorage was prohibited on the approaches to the ports of Azov and Kavkaz in areas lacking organized air defense coverage by the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. In addition, navigation was barred for vessels with malfunctioning communications. Taganrog and Yeysk are not classified as approaches to Azov, and Temryuk is not classified as an approach to Kavkaz. The regulations take effect 10 days after publication.
During the same week, the CPC oil corridor went through a complete disruption cycle. On July 23, the Ministry of Energy of Kazakhstan confirmed via Interfax a temporary suspension of loading at the marine terminal to ensure vessel safety following attacks on tankers on July 17–20. Upstream companies cut daily production levels to avoid overfilling storage tanks. On July 27, CPC brought tankers back to the single point moorings and restarted the Tengiz – Novorossiysk oil pipeline. The consortium makes subsequent operations conditional on the security situation and confirmed tanker positions.
Mongolia, GosLog, and Border Disruptions
On July 22, an interim trade agreement between the EAEU and Mongolia entered into force. According to Interfax, the parties are eliminating or reducing duties on 367 tariff subheadings. These items account for approximately 90% of mutual trade turnover. The agreement is valid for three years, with the option of a three-year extension. The Ministry of Economic Development previously estimated Russian business savings at up to 8 billion rubles annually, as average Mongolian duties decrease from 6% to 0.2%.
On the same day, PortNews reported that Rosstandart approved national standards for the digitalization of container transport under the GosLog platform. The package covers multimodal transport schemes, liner services, transport and technological balance, as well as previously adopted specifications for digital ports and terminal systems. In practice, this establishes the framework for digital transport passports and IT integration across market participants.
Shifts also occurred in the east and along the Belarusian transit corridor. On July 23, Rosgranstroy suspended cargo processing through Amurzet in the Jewish Autonomous Region due to rising water levels of the Amur River near China's Luobei checkpoint. Passenger traffic remained open. Effective July 25, Belarus is transferring permit checks from the border crossing to inland customs clearance posts. The document package is submitted upon completion of transit; without a permit within two business days, the vehicle cannot proceed further. The eastern road corridor with China and transit via Belarus require backup routing and a thoroughly prepared package of documents.
Autumn RZD Indexation and Diverging Timelines for Fuel Bans
On July 25, Interfax published a government directive dated July 22. Starting October 1, 2026, the Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) must increase rail freight tariffs, fees, and infrastructure charges by 8.5%, incorporating them into the indexed base. Infrastructure tariffs and the regulated long-distance segment will rise by 9.2%. This comes on top of December's 10% freight tariff hike and a 1% transport security surcharge implemented in March.
On the same day, Alexander Novak set separate timelines for fuel restrictions. The gasoline export ban for both producers and non-producers will be extended until the end of 2026. The diesel export ban will be lifted as the market stabilizes, preventing refineries from facing excess inventories and cutting refining runs. Officially, current restrictions remain in effect until July 31. Authorities are keeping the gasoline market closed through the end of the year, while already preparing to resume diesel exports.
Northern Sea Route Scales Up Container Voyages, Ports Boost Bulk Cargo
On July 24, PortNews quoted Alexey Likhachev, head of Rosatom. In 2026, more than 30 container voyages and a near-doubling of Chinese cargo volumes are anticipated along the Northern Sea Route. Last year's transit voyage from China to Western Europe took about 20 days. The annual target for all NSR cargo stands at approximately 40 million tons, compared to over 37 million in 2025.
On the same day, the Port Alliance group reported 21.8 million tons of cargo throughput for the first half of the year (+10% year-on-year, versus an industry average growth of 5.8%). Coal and fertilizers were the primary drivers. The Far Eastern terminal Osterra grew by 45% to 12.1 million tons. In Murmansk, ore transshipment and the share of fertilizers continue to climb. Over the six-month period, the terminals handled 149 Panamax and 45 Capesize vessels.
The week's takeaway for logistics managers is unmistakable. At sea, security measures are tightening and the primary oil export hub is being restored; on land, preferential trade with Mongolia is taking effect, the GosLog digital standard is being phased in, and an autumn hike in rail tariffs is being locked in. It is best practice to recalculate the rail leg cost basis for October well in advance, map out bypass routes around Amurzet, and monitor the lifting of the diesel embargo independently from gasoline.