Transshipment of Belarusian exports via Russia to triple in 2023

Vitaly Savelyev said: “Over the course of slightly more than two years we've come a long way [to advance Belarus-Russia cooperation in transport]. In my opinion, we've accomplished a lot. Including in the transportation of oil products. For example, this year we will exceed our target. This target is three times larger than last year's target. The same applies to other cargoes, which targets are also three times larger than they were last year.”

The official also remarked that in addition to cooperation in transportation by road and by rail Belarus and Russia are also advancing transportation by air. “We have virtually a permit-free flight system,” the Russian transport minister stated. “And I think that these steps towards deeper integration of the two states are happening at our level and we will continue aspiring to make some moves, which will enable even deeper integration of our transport business.”

BelTA reported earlier that an agreement on international transportation by road was signed in Moscow on 18 August as part of the work to implement the program of the Union State of Belarus and Russia on unifying transportation market regulations. The document was signed by Belarusian Transport and Communications Minister Aleksei Lyakhnovich and Russian Transport Minister Vitaly Savelyev. The realization of the document will enable coastal shipping of freight across Russia provided the conditions the agreement specifies are met. The document's implementation will also allow gradually transitioning to international freight transportation by road without any permits at all by 1 January 2030.