No need to prioritize fuel transportation by rail, issues being resolved manually - Russian Energy Ministry

KAZAN. April 3 (Interfax) - There is currently no need to increase the priority of petroleum product transportation by rail, as minor issues are being resolved manually, Russian Energy Minister Sergei Tsivilev told journalists.

"Everything operates within the established rules of non-discriminatory access, categories have been defined, and Russian Railways [RZD] is acting according to these rules. Right now, [everything is] working, and while there are occasional minor disruptions, we resolve them manually together with RZD," he said.

Commenting on efforts to address rising petroleum product prices in certain regions, Tsivilev said that fuel prices remain under control due to the fuel damper mechanism. "The damper is a well-established mechanism, and our petroleum product prices are under control, so price spikes due to external market conditions do not occur in our country. We intend to continue working with the damper, ensuring that everything remains stable on the domestic market," he said.

As reported, as of January 1, 2025, the Temporary Transportation Rules on the Russian Railways network which elevated the priority of petroleum product transportation to the third group ceased to be in effect. Fuel is now once again classified under the lower-priority sixth group.