In January 2025, the container shipping market saw a significant decline in rates. The cost of shipping a 40-foot container from Moscow to Vladivostok dropped by more than 15% compared to December. This trend is linked to the typical seasonal slowdown ahead of the Chinese New Year, when cargo volumes decrease and demand for transport services drops.
Meanwhile, international routes maintain high freight rates. For instance, container delivery from Xi'an to Moscow dropped by only 6%, remaining around $7.33 thousand. This gap is driven by sustained demand for imported goods and high utilization along Asian routes.
Notably, domestic rates declined despite tariff increases by Russian Railways (RZD) and container terminals. This highlights the critical impact of seasonal factors in the logistics industry. Keep these fluctuations in mind when planning freight volumes.