Eastern polygon of Russian railways for Russian coal export: development prospects and limitations

Relevance. Transportation of Russian coal by rail is an important link in coal supply for export. It is essential for the country economy and of high social significance for coal mining regions. Aim. To assess the state of the railway infrastructure for coal transportation, identify limitations and opportunities for improving coal transportation. Objects. Volumes and technologies of coal transportation by foreign and Russian exporters; state of the railway infrastructure of the eastern range of Russia; measures taken by coal mining companies to overcome restrictions on coal transportation; potential volumes of coal transportation for export and risks associated with reduction in coal exports. Methods. Methods of system analysis: classification, structuring and restructuring, analysis, formalization and concretization. Results. The paper considers the current state of coal transportation by rail in Russia with allocation of coal-mining eastern regions of Russia and Western Siberia. The importance of Russian railways in coal transportation is presented. The authors have outlined the problems of the railway infrastructure of the Eastern range of Russian railways due to its insufficient capacity. The changed geopolitical conditions created additional difficulties in transporting coal for export by rail. The paper introduces the state and prospects for modernization of the Eastern range of the Russian Railways. The authors gave an overview of activities of coal mining companies to overcome restrictions on coal transportation by rail. A brief review of the world experience in coal transportation state in the main coal exporting countries is made. The demanded volumes of coal transportation for export by rail was assessed. The paper considers the risks associated with the reduction of coal exports. The authors noted the need to harmonize programs for development of railway infrastructure, the coal industry and other industries that ensure coal extraction, transportation and consumption, reduce import dependence and the need to develop coal transportation technologies.