In response to the latter's proposals to redistribute logistical costs to support the coal industry, the Institute of Economics and Transport Development voiced the opposite opinion:
The government is already implementing a large-scale program of state support for coal producers: reducing the fiscal burden, restructuring accounts payable, targeted subsidies, compensation of 12.8% of the tariff for coal exports to the West and South, priority export of coal to the East under an agreement with Kuzbass, etc.
The monopoly carries coal at a loss - in the Russian Railways tariff system, reduction coefficients of 0.55-0.75 are initially applied for coal, depending on the range of transportation. For transportation to the East with such discounts, the tariff is reduced by 45%.
The financial result of Russian Railways from coal transportation in 2024 is minus 127.3 billion rubles, for the first 4 months of 2025 - minus 41 billion rubles. The largest negative result is formed in the eastern direction - minus 435.8 billion rubles in 2014-2024 (excluding losses from the transportation of empty coal wagons).
Any preferences from Russian Railways are offset by fluctuations in world prices, exchange rates, car rental rates, transshipment and freight. At the same time, losses from the provision of benefits to coal miners have to be compensated by high tariffs for other cargoes.
Russian Railways is forced to index tariffs because the company pays for goods and services at market prices.
In order to solve their problems, coal miners must increase the added value of their products (including through coal chemistry), enter new markets and hedge risks using the profits of previous years.
