OREANDA-NEWS. In September 2014, freight volume was at 104.9 mln tonnes (up 0.2% or 0.2 mln tonnes year-on-year), while freight turnover (excluding empty runs) was at 172.9 bln tonne-kilometres (up 6.0% or 9.8 bln tonne-kilometres).

Coal. In September 2014, 27.3 mln tonnes of coal were transported (up 5.8% year-on-year), while freight turnover amounted to 70.6 bln tonne-kilometres (up 7.8% year-on-year).

This growth was attributed to several factors, primarily increased coal production, and to a lesser extent development of coal deposits, and rising international demand for coal, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region.

Growth in freight turnover for coal resulted from increasing transportation distance - as more freight is transported to the Far Eastern ports for onward shipment to Asia.

Coal prices in September 2014 were at USD 72.2 per tonne - a USD 10.3 decrease compared to September 2013.

Oil and petroleum products. In September 2014, transportation volumes for oil and petroleum products, excluding liquefied petroleum gas, were at 20.3 mln tonnes (up 16.8%), with freight turnover at 25.7 bln tonne-kilometres (up 6.9%).

Freight turnover for oil and petroleum products increased due to growth in domestic turnover from 11.4 mln tonnes in September 2013 to 12.2 mln tonnes in September 2014 (up 7%).

Oil production in Russia is demonstrating growth in 2014 (according to CDU TEK, this indicator increased by 0.7% during the first ten months of this year to 437.886 mln tonnes). At the same time, oil exports from Russia decreased by 4.64% to 186.973 mln tonnes over ten months.

Gazprom Neft, Bashneft and Tatneft increased their own production. According to CDU TEK, Rosneft in January-October 2014 decreased production by 0.8% to 168.153 mln tonnes.

Increased domestic oil refining has a positive impact on rail transportation volumes. Growth drivers include tax incentives for oil refining, and the fact that Russian Railways' tariffs remained unchanged this year (the monopoly is set to index transportation tariffs in 2015). The commissioning of new and modernised refining capacities in Siberia and the Urals regions also had an impact.

Growth in petroleum products transportation was primarily due to increased fuel oil transportation volumes.

Brent crude prices were at USD 94.7 per barrel, as prices continue to decline.

Liquefied petroleum gas. In September 2014, transportation volumes were at 2.4 mln tonnes (up 10.5%), with freight turnover at 5.8 bln tonne-kilometres (up 11.1%).

Gas prices stood at €22.7 MW/h, down by 15% against September 2013.

Construction materials. In September 2014, the total volume of construction materials freight was at 16.2 mln tonnes (down 16.9%), with freight turnover at 10.7 bln tonne-kilometres (up 10.5%). Delivery volumes decreased due to the completion of Sochi Olympic Games infrastructure construction projects in Sochi.

Ferrous metals. In September 2014, transportation of ferrous metals was at 5.9 mln tonnes (down 3.5%), with freight turnover at 9.1 bln tonne-kilometres (up 11.3%).

Steel prices stood at USD 537.5 per tonne, down by 0.9% year-on-year.

Iron Ore. In September 2014, transportation of iron ore amounted to 9.1 mln tonnes (down 2.6%) and freight turnover amounted to 8.1 bln tonne-kilometres (down 16.1%).

The price of iron ore stood at USD 78.1 per tonne, down 40% year-on-year.

Scrap. In September 2014, transportation of scrap remained flat at 1.6 mln tonnes, freight turnover was at 1.5 bln tonne-kilometres (up 18.1%).

Non-ferrous metals, ores and concentrates. In September 2014, freight volumes for non-ferrous metals equalled 1.7 mln tonnes (down 21.4%), freight turnover was at 2.9 bln tonne-kilometres (down 3.6%).

Copper prices were at USD 6,635 per tonne, down 9.3% year-on-year.

Grain. In September 2014, grain transportation was at 2.0 mln tonnes (up 17.6%), freight turnover was at 3.0 bln tonne-kilometres (up 16.9%). Grain prices in September 2014 were at USD 234 per tonne, up 2.6% year-on-year.

Fertilisers. In September 2014, fertiliser transportation volume was at 3.9 mln tonnes (up 8.3%), freight turnover was at 6.1 bln tonne-kilometres (up 4.5%). DAP was priced at USD 590 per tonne, up 19% up year-on-year.