OREANDA-NEWS. January 25, 2013. On 5th October 2012 “Russian Railways” OJSC issued No. 16 676 telegram that restricted the volume of shipments and approvals of consignors’ applications for freightage, reported the press-centre of FAS Russia.

The telegram abolished continuous planning of freightage provided for Article 11 of the Railway Transport Statues of the Russian Federation, and determined the procedures for monthly transportation plans.

Such actions of “Russian Railways” OJSC prevented access of consignors, including fuel-and-energy companies, which make shipments upon the results of “exchange trading” rather than according to monthly planning, to the services of natural monopoly – freightage by railway transport. The company also did not take into account the interests of small and medium consignors (shipping agents, plants, factories producing finished products rather than raw materials, etc.) that make the so-called “just-in-time” shipments and typically have a shipping schedule for no more than two weeks ahead – solely depending on the received payments.

Governed by Article 39.1 of the Federal Law “On Protection of Competition”, the Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS Russia) sent a warning to “Russian Railways” OJSC to stop the above actions by abolishing No. 16 676 telegram of 5th October 2012 (upon signs of violating Clause 3 Part 1 Article 10 of the Federal Law “On Protection of Competition”).

“Russian Railways” OJSC executed the FAS determination and on 14th January 2012 issued No. 379 telegram to abolish No. 16 676 telegram of 5th October 2012.