Belarus unifies railway rates with SES states

MINSK, 4 January (BelTA) – Belarus has unified rates on railway shipping services on the territory of the Single Economic Space. The decision was formalized by Resolution No. 111 of the Economy Ministry of Belarus “Concerning railway freight rates on the territory of Belarus” as of 17 December 2012, BelTA learnt from the public relations department of the Economy Ministry.

The railway freight rates on the territory of Belarus will be harmonized. The adjustments will depend on the type of railway service (export, import and domestic rates on railway shipping services). The rates will be differentiated by the type of cargo, distance, type of rolling stock, ownership of rolling stock, etc.

The rates have been applied in freight shipping by all types of railway services of Belarusian Railways since 1 January 2013 (except for transit shipping).

The Economy Ministry has approved the instruction on the calculation and application of rates. The instruction provides that the rates might be changed within the price limits established by the Economy Ministry. The change in the rates should not give unfair advantages to specific manufacturers for shipping the same goods using the same route.

The resolution came into force on 1 January 2013. The document is part of international commitments of the Republic of Belarus to harmonize railway freight rates. This resolution will fulfill one of the key agreements on the SES formation signed by the three countries in December 2010 – the agreement on regulation of access to railway services, including the basics of pricing policies.