Original paper

UDC 656.033:622.33 © I.V. Provornaya1, I.V. Filimonova1, S.M. Nikitenko1, M.A. Bliznevskaya2, 2025

ISSN 0041-5790 (Print) • ISSN 2412-8333 (Online) • Ugol’ – Russian Coal Journal, 2025, №11, pp. 42-51

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.18796/0041-5790-2025-11-42-51

FEATURES AND PROBLEMS OF TARIFF FORMATION FOR COAL TRANSPORTATION BY RAIL

Authors

I.V. Provornaya1, I.V. Filimonova1, S.M. Nikitenko1, M.A. Bliznevskaya2

1 Federal Research Center for Coal and Coal Chemistry of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Kemerovo, 650099, Russian Federation

2 Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russian Federation e-mail: ProvornayaIV@gmail.com

Authors Information

Provornaya I.V. – PhD (Economic), Associate Professor, Senior Researcher, Federal Research Center for Coal and Coal Chemistry of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Kemerovo, 650099, Russian Federation, e-mail: ProvornayaIV@gmail.com

Filimonova I.V. – Doctor of Economic Sciences, Professor, Head of the Laboratory, Federal Research Center for Coal and Coal Chemistry of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Kemerovo, 650099, Russian Federation, e-mail: FilimonovaIV@list.ru

Nikitenko S.M. – Doctor of Economics, Associate Professor, Chief Researcher, Federal Research Center for Coal and Coal Chemistry of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Kemerovo, 650099, Russian Federation, e-mail: nsm.nis@mail.ru

Bliznevskaya M.A. – Master’s Student, Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russian Federation

Abstract

The article examines the current problem of tariff formation for railway freight transportation in the Russian Federation using the example of coal transportation, the main cargo flow of Russian Railways. The article analyzes the existing tariff system regulated by the “Price List No. 10-01”, its structure and impact on market participants: the railway carrier (JSC “Russian Railways”), coal mining companies and the state. A conflict of interests between carriers and customers has been revealed, due to the underestimation of coal tariffs (1st tariff class), which makes transportation unprofitable for Russian Railways, but profitable for coal mining companies. The competitive conditions of Russia in the export markets, in particular in China, where due to the long distance of transportation, transportation costs are higher than those of competitors from Australia and Indonesia, which reduces the profitability of the coal mining industry, are also considered. A detailed analysis of the tariff calculation methodology has been carried out and its disadvantages have been identified: the lack of clear formulas, complexity and opacity with a large number of correction factors, which makes it difficult to determine the cost of transportation independently. Based on calculations using the official online calculator and self-calculations, significant cost discrepancies are shown, confirming the need to simplify and increase the transparency of the tariff system. The conclusion is made about the relevance of reforming the approach to tariff formation, which takes into account the interests of all market participants and contributes to improving the efficiency and competitiveness of rail freight transportation in Russia.

Keywords

Tariff formation, railway transport, transportation of coal, tariff classes of goods, Price List No. 10-01, transportation costs.

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For citation

Provornaya I.V., Filimonova I.V., Nikitenko S.M., Bliznevskaya M.A. Features and problems of tariff formation for coal transportation by rail. Ugol’. 2025;(11):42-51. (In Russ.). DOI: 10.18796/0041-5790-2025-11-42-51.

Paper Info

Received October 1, 2025

Reviewed October 18, 2025

Accepted October 30, 2025