News / Some shippers opt to 'forget ethics' and rail through Russia to avoid delays

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China-Europe rail freight growth slowed dramatically in the first half, but carriers blanking sailings could help boost volumes during the peak season.

Pegged back by sanctions against Russia, the rail network’s usual double-digit annual growth has come to a screeching halt.

First-half volumes increased just 2.3%, to 720,000 teu, according to China State Railway, and by comparison, volumes grew 29% last year and 56% in 2020.

Some forwarders point to Covid lockdowns in China as having an impact on volumes, but most agree ...