2026 has only just begun, the holidays are over, yet there are no days off in Logistics. Soon we will face the Chinese New Year, with all the challenges that brings to us. This year, from February 15 to March 3, we will be providing our full range of logistics and forwarding solutions throughout. Let’s hope that freight prices remain stable, capacity shortages remain, border crossing queues shorten, and cargo turnover increase! Happy New Year!
Continuing the WELLGO series of reviews of the transport logistics market. we share facts and interesting news using a variety of formats – publications, interviews, speeches, roundtables, and industry summits. Over the past year, we have published 21 transport and customs updates on our information portal and have actively participated in Logistics and other events organized by numerous expert communities.
As the general sponsor of the largest pharmaceutical logistics event - SCM Pharm - we shared our expertise by presenting WELLGO's unique temperature logistics solutions. We developed the product exposure further in Kazakhstan at the KIHE "Healthcare" events and at the International Exhibition of Equipment, Raw Materials, and Technologies for Pharmaceutical Production, as well as at TransRussia, the largest logistics exposition in the region.
WELLGO specialists have repeatedly spoken on current issues covering logistics industry developments, international transport and customs topics, including: WELLGO on global trends and the strategies of logistics leaders at the XII SCM Congress, WELLGO at the AmCham roundtable "Foreign Economic Activity, Logistics and Transport: Challenges and Opportunities," at the KSTP, ASORPS, and the Business Association NETWORK North-West.
In 2026, we will continue to develop our expertise in international maritime and air logistics, road and rail transport, and customs operations to better meet your expectations.
With Chinese New Year approaching, there are almost no spaces left on direct vessels. Demand for shipping and the desire to ship cargo before the holidays have led to tariff increases of an average of 10-15%.
Most carriers have announced their schedules well in advance and have filled capacity. Bookings are still being accepted, but there is a high risk of rolling capacity, this being typical before extended holiday periods. For example, sailings until February 14 are already fully booked. However, cargo can be transferred now, assuming a high probability that the carrier will reschedule the cargo on the next vessel, with an actual ETD of March 6. During such periods, it makes sense to consider rail or road transport to reduce the waiting time for cargo to begin.
Some points to consider:
Before the New Year, China plans to fly 4 flights to St. Petersburg and 2 to Novorossiysk.
No problems with empty equipment
The average fare for St. Petersburg is $5,950-6,600.
Estimated transit time: 50-55 days (port to port)
The average fare for Novorossiysk is $5900-6200.
Estimated transit time: 45-50 days (port to port)
Forecast:
We expect tariffs to decrease by 10-15% in March, as this is historically the “low season” for container shipping.
The number and frequency of flights in 2026 will be similar to those in 2025, as no significant changes in the number of carriers or capacity in the market are expected.
Port news:
In the Baltic Basin, shipping volumes between St. Petersburg and Kaliningrad are growing significantly. Experts estimate that traffic growth will increase by an average of 25% in 2025, with further growth expected in 2026. This route is a priority, in part due to the decline in cargo traffic through land border crossings in the Kaliningrad Region. Developing the sea route is a motivating factor for business and a priority goal for the federal government.
Direct train service from Southeast Asia
The run-up to the Chinese New Year holidays has seen a significant increase in pre- carrier prices. Empty container shipments are becoming more challenging, as pickups are made from distant and not always convenient locations. Furthermore, equipment is still in short supply at these locations – a record number of trains were formed and dispatched to Russia and the EU in December. Overflowing empty container storage facilities in the Moscow region have also been noted, leading to difficulties in returning empty equipment.
Some points to consider:
There may be transfers and possible delays at scheduled stations, but this is not critical if transit times are calculated with a small margin.
The KZhD's plan cuts have been reduced, but risks remain, especially at smaller and irregular stations.
The current deadlines for crossing the main border crossings are as follows:
Zabaikalsk – about 5-14 days Alashankou – about 4-7 days Erlian – about 10-12 days
Currently, the largest cargo flow goes through Zabaikalsk, hence the highest shipping rates.
The situation at the China-Kazakhstan border is stable; cargo passes through without delays, and there are no queues. In terms of speed, transshipment times, and current rates, this is the best choice.
Those interested in the Sunfenhe border crossing should be aware that the departure station is small and has limited capacity to handle loaded containers. Loaded containers must be delivered earlier, which increases the overall transit time. Trains cross the border itself in 8-10 days. The total door-to-door transit time along this route averages 55 days.
There are no restrictions at stations or abandoned trains.
There are delays in organizing removal from Moscow stations due to abnormal weather conditions (Muscovites are aware).
The trend of rising tariffs continues: the average level now is $6,700-7,500
Estimated transit time: 27-29 days (station to station)
Forecast:
In Zabaikalsk, ahead of the checkpoint, a buildup of containers is expected, which will lead to an increase in border crossing time by 7-10 days.
Officially, the non-working days begin on February 17, but business activity in China will begin to slow down a week later, starting on February 9. Most transport and logistics workers are also taking leave.
After the peak at the end of February – beginning of March, tariffs are expected to decrease by $200 or more.
During the Chinese holidays, Russian border crossings will be significantly less congested. Transit times after the holidays can be expected to be reduced to 20-22 days.
Multimodal transportation through the Far East
Some points to consider:
The Railway loading waiting time for loading from Vladivostok and Nakhodka is approximately the same:
Moscow 7-10 days St. Petersburg 10-12 days Yekaterinburg 5-7 days Novosibirsk 5-7 days
After indexing of railway tariffs, the average cost of rail shipments increased by 10,000 rubles.
Current operating tariff level: $2,500 + 270,000 rubles ($6,050)
Estimated transit time: 35-40 days (port – station)
There may be disruptions to transportation from Moscow Hub stations due to extreme snowfall and complicated transport conditions, but winter will end eventually, we promise.
Forecast:
No significant tariff increases are expected. According to preliminary information from the main market players, current tariffs are planned to be extended until at least the end of March.
Overall, the Far East's transport infrastructure is currently under moderate pressure, so there are no obvious reasons to expect delays in cargo delivery.
Maritime services to other region
UAE and India
One direct voyage from India and the UAE to St. Petersburg is planned for February. The operator has removed the vessel from rotation due to repairs, making. a significant impact on the already limited capacity of the route. Bookings are currently only available for early March. There will be four direct voyages to Novorossiysk in February, and to guarantee a seat, bookings must be made no later than calendar week six. The port of Novorossiysk is sometimes closed due to adverse weather conditions, which can lead to a one / two-day delay in unloading containers at the terminal.
Average tariff level for February:
St. Petersburg – $5900-6200
Estimated transit time: 30-32 days (port-to-port)
Novorossiysk – $4,500–5,000
Estimated transit time: 22-24 days (port-to-port)
China
Every year, WELLGO monitor the movement of airfares in January and February. During the New Year holidays, Russia had special rates on air freight from China. Many cargo airlines suspended their flights, yet cargo traffic was also low.
With the holidays over, both traffic volumes and fares began to rise. In the first two weeks of January, fares for passenger flights increased by 10-12 CNY .
This sharp increase in tariffs was augmented by:
Cargo flights resumption began only on January 18-20.
Many shippers are rushing to ship their cargo before Chinese New Year.
A significant portion of cargo flight capacity was allocated to projected transportation volumes, leading to a general shortage of seats which persisted until the end of January.
The average tariff level for cargo over 1000 kg at the end of January is:
Regular passenger flights: 32-35 CNY
Regular cargo flights: from 23-26 CNY and up to 30-35 CNY, depending on the airport and departure date
Some points to consider:
The Chinese New Year (Spring Festival) in 2026 will begin on February 17, marking the beginning of the Year of the Fire Horse. The official holiday in China will last nine days, from February 15 to 23. Traditional celebrations will conclude on March 3 with the Lantern Festival. This is a time of large-scale migrations, family dinners, fireworks displays, and public festivities.
Although the official holidays last from February 15 to 23, many Chinese companies close a week earlier and resume operations only a week later. Since air freight is often used for urgent shipments, WELLGO advise to consider the actual situation for both logistics and trading partners and be sure to check the validity of deadlines and the availability of operators.
Tariff increases, although not very rapid, will continue until February 15-17 and for some time after the end of the Chinese New Year celebrations, since this holiday hiatus will cause another accumulation of “awaiting shipment” cargo at transport hubs.
WELLGO's proven and cost-effective solutions make customer logistics more efficient. In particular, multi-modal combined road and air transportation, cargo consolidation, and the TIR-truck service help reduce costs and meet agreed transit times.
Turkey
Currently, there are no significant changes in air freight to Turkey. Capacity on this route is always seasonal, with differences particularly noticeable between winter and summer. Turkey is currently experiencing a low tourist season, which limits the availability of direct palletized cargo. Therefore, the main operational options for shipping cargo from Istanbul to Moscow are currently:
Direct flights:
Aeroflot ( SU ), Southwind ( S2 ) - narrow-body aircraft, recommended for small, urgent cargo shipments. Dimension restrictions: 120 x 100 x 75 cm, up to 100 kg per piece.
Turkish Airlines ( TK ) - wide-body aircraft, which has an option for non-restricted cargo.
Transit flights:
Mahan Air ( W 5) - wide-body aircraft. Delays are possible due to limited transit airport capacity. There are no product restrictions.
Turkmenistan Airlines ( T 5) - wide-body aircraft with good frequency on the IST - ASB leg , but with a flight once a week on the second leg ASB - SVO . There are no restrictions on the range of goods.
Azerbaijan Airlines ( J 2), Uzbekistan Airways ( HY ) - wide-body aircraft. Not all cargo types are accepted for carriage.
Some points to consider:
Transit options are suitable for large palletized shipments which cannot be transported on direct flights from Istanbul due to weight, size, or product range restrictions. WELLGO air freight specialists can quickly process even the most complex requests and offer our clients the best solutions.
The current fare level depends on the aircraft type, airline and route. Tariffs for direct flights Istanbul-Moscow are at the level of 2.8-3.2 USD / kg . Tariffs for transit flights are within 3.6-3.6 USD / kg .
United Arab Emirates
Currently, the situation on the Dubai-Moscow route remains favorable and stable. Regular passenger flights on wide-body aircraft, as well as charter cargo flights, are maintained. Passenger airlines offer sufficient capacity, ensuring uninterrupted service. With the exception of Utair's cancellation of wide-body flights due to an aircraft malfunction, all other available travel options remain unchanged.
Recommended options:
Aeroflot ( SU ) operates direct wide-body flights daily. Air freight rates for cargo over 1,000 kg are USD 4 /kg for general cargo and USD 4.5 /kg for cargo with integrated ELI batteries.
S7 and Pobeda Airlines ( DP ) operate direct narrow-body flights daily, allowing for the transportation of small shipments at very attractive rates. Air freight rates for cargo over 1,000 kg are USD 2.6–3.0 / kg .
IL 76 T5 cargo plane departs Dubai once a week on Saturdays, with a connecting flight on Mondays. It's a good solution for large, indivisible shipments or for CAO hazardous cargo . Air freight for cargo over 1,000 kg is USD 6.5-6.7 per kg.
Charter flights operated by Russian airlines are irregular, their schedule being determined by the increase of cargo volumes from Dubai. Please inquire about availability and pricing; WELLGO will respond promptly to your inquiries.
India
Currently, air cargo transportation from India to Russia remains limited due to lack of sufficient direct flights between the countries. Despite numerous transit options, access is limited due to airline restrictions. However, selecting suitable operating options based on specific conditions and requirements usually gives us the solution.
Currently, the main solutions from India are:
Aeroflot - direct flights from Delhi to Moscow: a reliable option with a stable schedule year-round, daily departures. Fare level +1000 kg: USD 3.5-3.7 / kg
Direct Volga-Dnepr ( VI ) Mumbai -Moscow flights: This direct cargo flight allows for large shipments to be shipped in one lot, without sanctions restrictions, and also facilitates the transportation of oversized and hazardous cargo. Rate level +1000 kg : USD 6.5 / kg
Transit flights (G9, GF, WY, VN, 3U, ET , and others ): the most cost-effective solutions through Asia and the Middle East. Rate level +1000 kg: USD 2.5-3.5 /kg
China
When transiting Kazakhstan, a risk remains of inspection of Chinese goods. Compared to the autumn, the situation is not as widespread now; controls can be considered selective. However, if an inspection is scheduled, be prepared for a long wait. Sending goods for examination can extend this period even further, up to 21 days.
Some points to consider:
Given the likelihood of increased customs control, to avoid delays, it is more reliable to plan logistics for certain categories of goods (spare parts, equipment, clothing) through the Manchuria-Zabaikalsk crossing.
When planning your shipment, please keep in mind that winter weather will impact transit times. Roads, especially when transiting through Kazakhstan, may be closed.
Current information on entry slots for border warehouses in China:
Bakhty / Tacheng - no queue
Alashankou / Dostyk - free slots available for day 4
Zimunai / Maykapchigai - no queues, closed Sunday
Khorgos/ Nur Zhol - there are no free slots for 2-3 weeks in advance, paid reservations for the next day
Entry into Manchuria must be booked at least two weeks in advance; queues have built up due to the rerouting of travel. Entry and exit currently take approximately six days.
Transportation prices traditionally rise before the Chinese New Year. Rates, especially for transit through Manzhouli, change daily. The current rate for Shanghai–Moscow via Kazakhstan is USD 10,000–11,000 per vehicle, and via Manzhouli, USD 15,000–16,000 per vehicle.
Europe
Following the closure of the Polish-Belarusian border and the suspension of Lithuanian-Belarusian border crossings last autumn, the borders are now operating normally again. Furthermore, following negotiations, Poland has opened additional border crossings: Kuznica for passenger vehicles and Bobrowniki for all types of vehicles.
Some points to consider:
When planning the transportation of temperature-sensitive cargo, it is important to consider that there is currently high seasonal demand for refrigerated transport, meaning the number of available vehicles is extremely limited.
Border crossings typically occur within a day. However, there are queues of one to two days for re-shoring/reloading.
For reference, the current rate Germany – Moscow for an awning is 6000 EUR /TS, Italy – Moscow for REF is 9000 EUR /TS. Contact WELLGO in Kazakhstan for more details.
According to Infranews, Indian state-owned shipping corporations Corporation of India, Container Corporation of India, Sagarmala Finance Corporation Ltd, Jawaharlal Ports Authority Nehru, Chennai Port and VOC Port will become shareholders in the future national container operator, signing a preliminary agreement in the next few days.
The rapid development of the Chinese container fleet, which is consistently competing with Western giants is frequently newsworthy. However, the upcoming Indian operator Bharat Container Line plans to acquire a fleet of 100 container ships.
Meanwhile, MSC remains one of the most active buyers of container ships. The company recently acquired 13 more vessels (including nine new ones) with capacities ranging from 1,000 to 4,300 TEU.
This year, WELLGO will continue to monitor the development of the logistics market, seek out, study, and offer new solutions, share our experiences, and support our clients.
On February 10, we'll be holding a short webinar for entrepreneurs from Ivanovo and the Ivanovo region, where we'll discuss in-depth information on shipping from China, new customs regulations, and how to choose the right logistics providers to meet your needs.
If you are interested in this topic, write to us at info@wellgo.ru, andwe will send you an invitation.