Gondola car operating rates have risen from the lows in the second half of the year in the first half of 2026. The operating market has begun to recover, but the pace is still not enough. This is due to the top rating of INFOLine Rail Russia. The first 3 rankings are as follows: first transport company (PGK); Federal Transport Company (FGK, part of Ras Railways); National Transport Company (NTK; mainly transports cargo from SUEK and EuroChem). The ranking for the first half of the year traditionally includes revenue results for the previous full year. The leaders in this index were: PGK; "Gazprometrans"; "Coal-trans". It is important to take into account that fewer and fewer companies disclose revenues. The largest operators disclosed by financial indicators paid dividends worth 113.6 billion rubles in 2025., which is more than three times less than in 2024. According to INFOLine, the rental rate for a typical gondola car has risen from a winter minimum of about 620 rubles. up to 740 rub. per day in June. At the same time, the rate level is still not sufficient to cover the full cost of operation, including repairs and fleet financing. The cost of the planned repairs stabilized in the second quarter, but there remains a significant barrier to returning the cars to service. At the same time, the renewal of the fleet is decreasing: according to INFOLine, purchases of new gondola cars in the first half of the year decreased by 45%, to 7.5 thousand units, while about 8 thousand were deleted. A market survey conducted among operators and cargo owners in September indicates that most companies are still postponing the purchase of the fleet due to expensive financing, lack of funds and uncertainty in demand. A sustainable recovery requires coordinated actions of Russian Railways and market participants: a more predictable fare policy, removal of technological restrictions and increased transport efficiency.

Gondola car operating rates have risen from the lows in the second half of the year in the first half of 2026. The operating market has begun to recover, but the pace is still not enough. This is due to the top rating of INFOLine Rail Russia. The first 3 rankings are as follows: first transport company (PGK); Federal Transport Company (FGK, part of Ras Railways); National Transport Company (NTK; mainly transports cargo from SUEK and EuroChem). The ranking for the first half of the year traditionally includes revenue results for the previous full year. The leaders in this index were: PGK; "Gazprometrans"; "Coal-trans". It is important to take into account that fewer and fewer companies disclose revenues. The largest operators disclosed by financial indicators paid dividends worth 113.6 billion rubles in 2025., which is more than three times less than in 2024. According to INFOLine, the rental rate for a typical gondola car has risen from a winter minimum of about 620 rubles. up to 740 rub. per day in June. At the same time, the rate level is still not sufficient to cover the full cost of operation, including repairs and fleet financing. The cost of the planned repairs stabilized in the second quarter, but there remains a significant barrier to returning the cars to service. At the same time, the renewal of the fleet is decreasing: according to INFOLine, purchases of new gondola cars in the first half of the year decreased by 45%, to 7.5 thousand units, while about 8 thousand were deleted. A market survey conducted among operators and cargo owners in September indicates that most companies are still postponing the purchase of the fleet due to expensive financing, lack of funds and uncertainty in demand. A sustainable recovery requires coordinated actions of Russian Railways and market participants: a more predictable fare policy, removal of technological restrictions and increased transport efficiency.