Report: Russia, Japan work out cargo transportation via Transsib

TOKYO, Aug 20 (PRIME) -- Russia and Japan plan to use the Trans-Siberian Railway (Transsib) to develop a so-called third channel for cargo transportation between the two states in addition to air and maritime transportation, Japanese daily Yomiuri Shimbun reported on August 19.

The countries are to transport a test batch of cargoes from September 11 through September 13 during the Eastern Economic Forum, and five to 10 companies – mostly Japanese – will partake in the test. In the period, the companies would evaluate the cost and terms of transportation, customs registration, and other factors, the daily reported.

Currently, cargo transportation from Japan to Russia by sea takes 53–62 days. Air transportation is faster, but significantly more expensive. Cargo transportation via the Transsib may cut the costs of cargo senders by up to 40% and reduce the delivery time to about 20–27 days, the daily said.

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