KURGAN, February 2026 — The launch of a new direct rail freight service from Russia's Urals region to China's northeastern coast underscores the increasing strategic importance of robust Eurasian transit corridors. This initiative by FESCO Transportation Group aims to enhance logistical efficiency and foster greater trade integration between the two nations.
FESCO has successfully dispatched container trains carrying cereal crops from Kurgan to Tianjin, utilizing Kazakhstan as a transit country via the Altynkol-Khorgos border crossing. Each of the two inaugural trains comprises 62 forty-foot containers, with an average transit time of 20 days for the entire journey.
This new route is poised to significantly expand export logistics for local businesses in the Kurgan region, which boasts a well-developed food processing industry. FESCO is actively exploring the possibility of extending container train shipments from Kurgan to other international export destinations.
The development is supported by enhanced infrastructure, including a new container yard at Kurgan station opened in January 2025, which has contributed to a 23% increase in container turnover in 2025. This positions Kurgan as an increasingly vital hub for regional and international freight.
The establishment of this direct rail link between Russia's industrial heartland and a major Chinese port reflects a broader trend of optimizing supply chains and leveraging rail infrastructure to drive economic growth and connectivity across the Asian continent.
Source: RUSSIA'S PIVOT TO ASIA
New Russian Rail Route to Tianjin Strengthens Eurasian Trade Connectivity
Engineering Business Management
Published on: Feb 10, 2026
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The expansion of direct rail freight services between Russia and China is a key development in Eurasian logistics. FESCO Transportation Group has initiated a new container train service from Kurgan to Tianjin, facilitating the movement of goods and supporting regional export capabilities.
