Media about us 26 May 2025 г.
IEDT Forecast on Container Market Growth Published in Kommersant

This year, the container market is expected to grow marginally or remain at last year’s level. According to forecasts by the Institute for Transport Economics and Development (IEDT), the volume of container rail traffic is projected to reach 8 million TEU by the end of the year, compared to 7.9 million TEU in the previous year. Although current figures are slightly down, part of the market anticipates a return to growth by late summer or autumn, while others remain skeptical given the ongoing tight monetary policy. Nevertheless, by 2035, IEDT predicts that the container market could grow to 10–12 million TEU, driven by increasing containerization of freight and infrastructure development.

Rail container traffic, which totaled 7.9 million TEU in 2024, is expected to reach approximately 8 million TEU in 2025, according to IEDT’s study. Market participants expect that by 2035, container traffic on the RZD network could increase 1.5 times to 10–12 million TEU, with an average annual growth rate of around 3.4%. Key growth drivers will include the development and modernization of logistics infrastructure such as terminals, expanded use of containers for a wider range of cargo, and the advancement of digital services. Roman Martyshkin, Deputy Head of IEDT’s Center for Macroeconomics and Forecasting Methodology, estimates that by 2035, around 60% of the 10–12 million TEU will be linked to foreign trade operations — exports, imports, and transit — while the remaining 40% will be domestic shipments.

In the medium term, container traffic growth in Russia is expected to outpace the global market. However, IEDT’s forecast notes a strong rebound in global container traffic in 2025, from 183.2 million TEU to 195–200 million TEU.

By 2035, global container volumes are projected to grow by 20–33% to 240–260 million TEU. Key drivers, according to IEDT, will include urbanization in Africa and South Asia, the expansion of green logistics, and the rise of digital trade.

The full article is available on the Kommersant website.

Photo: FESCO