June heralds the beginning of Summer, and, as we all know, the Logistician’s work is never done. As always, here's the transport update from WELLGO—for June.
Over the past month, the situation on maritime services from China and Southeast Asia to St. Petersburg and Novorossiysk has not changed significantly. Demand for direct sea services continues to decline amid growing demand for shipping via Far Eastern ports.
Following increased rates on direct rail and through the Far East, rates for direct sea services for the first half of June have also increased.
From China's main ports, five direct vessels have been scheduled to St. Petersburg as of early June, operated by SF, Fesco, Torgmol, OVP and M-LINE.
What you need to know:
The introduction of WRS and ERS surcharges for routes from China to St. Petersburg has been suspended.
Shipping lines have cancelled the winter surcharge for the Baltic Sea.
Average tariff level China - St. Petersburg - 7200-7500 USD , approximate transit time: 50-55 days (port - port)
Average tariff level China - Novorossiysk - 6700-6900 USD , approximate transit time: 45-50 days (port - port)
Container equipment is in stock, there is no shortage.
The schedule is stable, but additional verification is required due to possible route rotations between lines.
Seats are available, bookings are accepted as usual.
Forecast:
A further decline in cargo traffic through the port of St. Petersburg is expected.
Schedules and tariffs for sea freight along the NSR are expected in early June. According to preliminary information, Torgmol plans to operate 20 voyages this season.
Direct train service from Southeast Asia
The Kazakh Railway (KZhD) continues to reduce its operational railway plans for Russia, which, in turn, is reflected in rising tariffs for direct rail service.
A serious situation is observed at the Manzhouli-Zabaikalsk border crossing, where problems are occurring on the Chinese side. Trains are queued for delivery at the border crossing, with the estimated waiting time to approach the border being approximately 10-12 days.
Kazakhstan has further tightened controls on electronics and dual-use goods, with the risk of inspection remaining extremely high for goods in HS groups 84 to 90. There is no accumulation of containers at the border crossing itself. Trains travel quickly from China to Kazakhstan, but once in Kazakhstan, they are stopped at small Kazakh stations, where they spend up to 10 days awaiting clearance for onward travel.
Erlian is operating fairly reliably, but only a small number of trains are currently being formed for this route.
What you need to know:
Delays at exit stations: large stations – 3-4 days, small stations – 10 days
Spaces are filling up quickly until mid-June.
Express trains continue to be in demand on the market, transit times have increased slightly and are now 18-20 days (station-to-station)
Current border crossing deadlines: Zabaikalsk – about 12-16 days Alashankou (Kazakhstan) – about 7-10 days Erlian (Mongolia) – about 10-12 days
Rates and terms:
There is an increase in the cost of renting containers, fuel and lubricants, and station fees.
The June average fare level is (station-to-station): USD 8,700-8,900.
Estimated transit times for regular schedules: 32-35 days (station to station), excluding delays in trains leaving stations in China.
There is no equipment shortage, but there is an increase in the cost of equipment rental.
Moscow stations are accepting containers as usual.
Forecast:
Tariffs will remain high in June, as border crossing capacity remains low and the number of scheduled trains remains small. Tariffs will also be affected by the Russian Railways railway tariff increase, although exact figures are not yet available.
Given Russia and China's plans to build a second railway line through Zabaikalsk, border crossing capacity will increase. In the long term, both tariffs and transit times will improve, as freight traffic growth is still not reaching critical levels.
Multimodal transportation through the Far East
Over the past few months, overall container traffic through Vladivostok and Nakhodka has increased by 12%. Tariff growth has slowed, but service demand has caused a shortage of space on ships in the first half of June. New small lines are emerging (for example, China's Qingdao Xinlianyun Supply Chain, which made its first call at VSRP in May. There is no congestion or significant delay at the Far East terminals, but container handling and stowage times have increased by 2-3 days compared to May.
What you need to know:
Most departures are already full at the beginning of June; it is possible to place a small number of containers locally by agreement with the shipping lines.
There is a shortage of equipment, but it is localized: in specific ports and on specific lines.
The announced tariff level for June is USD 7,100-7,300.
Current waiting times for loading on the railway from Vladivostok and Nakhodka:
Moscow 6-12 days St. Petersburg 7-12 days Yekaterinburg 10-14 days Novosibirsk 10-14 days
Estimated transit time: 40-45 days (port to station). Moscow stations are operating as usual to receive containers.
Forecast:
An increase in the railway share of freight is planned (due to changes in Russian Railways tariffs); tariffs for 20 DC will preliminarily increase by 5,000 rubles, and for 40 HC – by 7,000 rubles.
There is a possibility that sea freight rates will also increase in June due to rising container equipment rental costs in China.
There will be a shortage of places due to increased demand for this service.
Maritime services to other regions
India
War Risk Surcharges and Emergency Risk Surcharges remain in place
No new carriers have appeared on this route yet, and demand has understandably been falling.
Silmar shipping line has expanded its’ fleet on the route by launching two new vessels- Inter Sydney and Lepton
There is no shortage of equipment and space.
Many agents at major ports report facing transportation challenges due to driver shortages and reduced vehicle and labor resources, leading to delays in local services.
Tariffs for June have increased and are as follows:
NhavaSheva / Mundra – St. Petersburg – 5600 USD / 20 DC NhavaSheva / Mundra – St. Petersburg – 7800 USD / 40HC Estimated transit time: 28-32 days (port to port)
NhavaSheva / Mundra – Novorossiysk – 3900 USD / 20 DC NhavaSheva / Mundra – Novorossiysk – 4200 USD / 40HC Estimated transit time: 22-24 days (port to port)
Türkiye
Sea freight services are operating as usual.
Average tariffs for June from major Turkish ports:
1700 USD / 20DC
1900 USD / 40HC
Turkey is accelerating its push for the Middle Transport Corridor through Armenia, positioning it as an alternative to the Strait of Hormuz. Transit can take up to 15 days, compared to approximately 40 days by sea.
The Middle Corridor is a land link between China and Europe via the Caucasus and Turkey. The Zangezur Corridor is a planned highway and rail route that will connect the mainland of Azerbaijan with the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic (NAR) via the Syunik region in southern Armenia (known as Zangezur in Azerbaijan). It will be approximately 40 km long. WELLGO continues to closely monitor developments, as this is of interest to a significant population of exporters, importers, and logistics / Supply Chain providers alike.
China
The air freight market from China in May continued to demonstrate a noticeable split between passenger (PAX) and cargo (CAO) routes.
The situation remains tense on PAX routes. A significant portion of capacity was purchased for AliExpress e-commerce cargo, while Aeroflot maintains high utilisation rates thanks to project logistics cargo transportation. Consequently, available capacity in the second half of May, was almost completely sold out. Amid a shortage of seats on passenger flights, some cargo volumes are being reallocated to cargo (CAO) flights, which has led to higher fares in this segment as well.
According to the June capacity plan, cargo capacity in June 2026 decreased by 1,353 tonnes (-12.6%) compared to June 2025, despite a 5.4% increase in the total number of flights. This confirms the ongoing market shift from a classic cargo model towards a PAX- driven market.
A comparison of current rates with the same period in 2025 shows a steady increase in rates for virtually all airlines. On average, rates have increased by approximately 20-25%, with some carriers seeing significantly higher increases. The market has become more tightly constrained: available slots are shifting to later dates, and large shipments increasingly require splitting cargo across multiple air waybills.
Average rates for 1,000+ kg cargo this week:
Scheduled daily passenger flights: 25-30 CNY. Option for urgent shipments departing from nearby airports.
Cargo flights: from 18 CNY. This option is suitable for large shipments of cargo that do not require urgent delivery. Flight operations are stable, and the rate is fixed at the time of booking. Departure frequency is 2-3 times per week.
The air freight market between China and Russia continues to see high demand for small shipments and samples, but stable and convenient solutions for this format are limited.
WELLGO offers our MiniFreight solution, specifically covering transportation of small shipments and samples from China to Russia. There are regular departures from Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK). The service is organized using flights with pre-purchased capacity, ensuring a stable flight schedule and predictable delivery times.
WELLGO MiniFreight is designed for small shipments without the need for independent consolidation: shipments are collected throughout China, processed as consolidated shipments under a House Airwaybill (HAWB), and delivered to Moscow (SVO-2). This solution allows clients to optimize logistics and supply chain costs while maintaining supply chain transparency with a high level of service. This includes tracking key statuses, along with customs clearance of samples.
Türkiye
The situation on the Turkey-Russia route has generally remained stable over the past month, with no significant changes in fare levels.
Southwind Airlines continue to operate wide-body flights from Antalya, ensuring stable capacity for palletized cargo. However, Aeroflot has not yet launched wide-body flights to Antalya. There is currently no precise launch date, but the market expects them to launch soon.
The following options are currently available for cargo delivery on the Istanbul-Moscow route:
Direct flights:
Aeroflot (SU) and Southwind (S2) flights departing from Istanbul use narrow-body aircraft. This option is suitable for small, urgent cargo shipments. Dimensions: 120x100x75 cm, up to 100 kg per piece.
Southwind (S2) with departures from Antalya - wide-body aircraft, an option with an attractive fare.
Turkish Airlines (TK) - wide-body aircraft. Option for non-restricted cargo.
Transit flights:
Turkmenistan Airlines (T5) - wide-body aircraft with regular frequency on the IST-ASB leg, but with a once-weekly flight on the second leg ASB-SVO. There are no product restrictions.
Sichuan Airlines (3U) - wide-body aircraft with daily departures on the first and second legs.
Azerbaijan Airlines (J2), Uzbekistan Airways (HY) - wide-body aircraft. Not all cargo types are accepted for carriage.
In terms of transportation costs, the market remains stable, with no significant rate fluctuations. Average rates hover around USD 1.90/kg and vary depending on the aircraft type, carrier, and specific route.
United Arab Emirates
The situation in the UAE remains generally stable, as far as possible given the ongoing geopolitical uncertainty. Aviation infrastructure in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah is operating normally, as most foreign airlines have already resumed flights to the UAE. Regular schedules are gradually being restored, along with increasing flight frequencies.
Russian carriers are expected to gradually return to this route: Aeroflot resumed daily flights to Dubai on June 1, and plans to increase the frequency to twice daily on July 1. However, there is currently no information regarding the resumption of flights by Pobeda, Utair and S7 Airlines.
The main options from Dubai at this time are:
Emirates, Etihad, Fly Dubai - options are suitable for cargo that is not subject to restrictions
Charter cargo flights program on Russian airlines - from 7.5 USD/kg
Transit options via Male/Phuket/Bangkok - from 7.0USD/kg
Uzbekistan Flights Airways via Tashkent - from 5.5USD/kg, not suitable for all product ranges
India
Direct air service between India and Russia remains supported by Aeroflot's scheduled flights, while a wide range of transit options is also available through Asian and Middle Eastern carriers, selected based on product range, weight, and dimensions, and required delivery times.
On the Indian route . Direct air service is supported by Aeroflot's scheduled flights. A wide range of transit solutions are also available, based on the product range, weight, and required delivery speed.
The main options available from India are:
Aeroflot operates direct flights between Delhi and Moscow daily. Flights between Goa and Moscow have been suspended due to the end of the tourist season, significantly reducing available capacity on this route.
Transit flights of regional carriers (HY, ET, TK, WY, J2, VN, 3U, etc.), providing flexible solutions via hubs in Asia and the Middle East.
Average rates for cargo over 1,000 kg start at USD 4.60/kg and vary depending on the route and airline.
Following the suspension of Volga Dnepr flights from Mumbai, direct cargo air service to India is no longer available. Aeroflot's previously launched cargo charter flights operated sporadically, but there are currently no such flights on the upcoming schedule. There is currently no information regarding the resumption of these services.
A new procedure for importing goods from EAEU countries into the Russian Federation by road is being introduced. This is applicable to LCL and FCL shipments. The National System for Confirming the Waiting for Goods (SPOT) will be launched on June 1, 2026 (Federal Law No. 102-FZ of April 17, 2026). From this date, importing goods from EAEU countries by road without issuing a document confirming the upcoming delivery (DOPP) and assigning a visualized link (QR code) will no longer be permitted.
According to the new rules, applicants must submit the DOPP to the SPOT operator (the Federal Tax Service of Russia) two days before the vehicle crosses the border, obtain a QR code confirming the delivery, and submit it to the carrier. A security deposit will only be required for those goods that will begin crossing the border from July 1, 2026. For imports across the Russian-Belarusian border, a payment deferment is valid until October 31, 2026.
The DOPP reflects information about the upcoming delivery separately for each transport vehicle and specifies the following information:
The parties to the transaction (applicant, seller, carrier) and the grounds for delivery (agreements, contracts, specifications);
Imported goods (name, TN VED, volume, etc.) and permits for these goods (certificates, brands, permits, etc.);
The vehicle (Registration) and the expected date of import.
China
The risk of random inspections in Kazakhstan remains. Certain goods (primarily electronics) are stopped in batches. The wait for inspection can last from weeks to months. For urgent shipments, it's best to choose lower-risk routes: for example, through Mongolia or the border crossings between Russia and China.
At Kazakh crossings, the correctness of the transit declaration is also checked, in particular the type of packaging indicated in the TD.
Chinese customs have strengthened export controls on dual-use goods. Manufacturers may be required to provide additional documentation.
Kazakhstan has seen an improvement in the entry situation into China, due to increased capacity and modernization of crossing points.
Current information on entry slots for border warehouses in China:
Bakhty / Tacheng – Free slots the next day
Alashankou / Dostyk - free slots in 7-8 days
Zimunai / Maykapchigai - no queues, closed Sunday
Khorgos/ Nur Zhol - no free slots for a month in advance, paid reservations for the next day
Reserving entry slots into Manchuria is very difficult. This must be done at least two weeks in advance. Precise planning is required—knowing and planning the day of entry for a specific vehicle. If the vehicle is delayed and fails to enter its slot (for example, due to customs or unloading delays), the reservation is lost.
Border clearance itself takes 1-2 days. We recommend checking the current situation with WELLGO specialists.
Europe
Europe has seen a sharp rise in diesel fuel prices over the past few months. The fuel used by heavy-duty vehicles has increased in price by approximately 25-35%.
According to Rzeczpospolita , the trucking industry in Poland is in a deep crisis amid rising costs and an increasing number of company bankruptcies. Polish carriers are closing en masse – 1,234 transport companies went bankrupt in the first quarter of this year alone. This figure is comparable to the total number of bankruptcies for the entire previous year. This is due to declining freight volumes and rising costs (diesel prices, and the expansion of the toll road network within Poland).
This trend is affecting spot rates. In May, road transport prices in Europe increased by approximately 15-30% compared to previous periods.
There are no queues at existing crossings.
What you need to know:
To cross the border, you must have a complete set of documents (contract, payment receipts, a letter from the sender stating that the cargo is not a dual-use item), especially if the cargo is destined for third countries, to avoid delays in the vehicle and the cancellation of export declarations.
For reference, the current rate Germany – Moscow for an awning is 5500 EUR/TS, Italy – Moscow for Reefers is 8000 EUR/TS.
Should you find the information we collect, analyze, and highlight of interest, or if you have any questions, suggestions, or anything exciting to share, we're always happy to hear from you! Our address remains the same: info@wellgo.ru.
WELLGO remains your reliable international logistics partner!