September 7, 2026 - Russian coal shipments by rail for export declined in August, as a steep drop in volumes moving toward southern ports outweighed stronger traffic through the Baltic region.

Russian railways transported approximately 15.68 million metric tons of coal for export during August 2026, down 4.97% from July, according to data from Metals & Mining Intelligence cited by Sxcoal. Despite the month-on-month decline, volumes remained 4.95% above August 2025 levels.

The August decrease marked a second consecutive monthly decline in export-oriented coal rail shipments.

Thermal coal accounted for the majority of traffic, with shipments totaling approximately 11.25 million tons, down 6.04% from July but 2.07% higher year over year.

Coking coal shipments fell 3.25% month on month to 2.89 million tons, while remaining 2.05% above the same period last year. Anthracite shipments were relatively stable from July at 1.55 million tons, but surged more than 41% compared with August 2025.

Southern Port Traffic Collapses

The sharpest decline occurred in coal transported toward Russia's southern ports.

Rail shipments destined for southern export terminals plunged 87.16% from July and 86.26% from a year earlier, highlighting significant disruption to Russia's Black Sea and Azov Sea export routes.

Shipping conditions in the region have deteriorated amid continued security risks associated with the Russia-Ukraine war. Drone attacks affecting commercial shipping and infrastructure have contributed to higher war-risk insurance costs and disrupted vessel movements.

Coal transshipment through the Taman terminal, an important southern outlet for Russian coal exports, was reportedly severely curtailed during August. Shipping restrictions, insurance availability and delays involving vessel movements have added further pressure to Black Sea coal trade.

The disruption is particularly significant for shipments serving markets such as Turkey, which has historically been a major destination for Russian coal moving through southern ports.

Baltic Shipments Rise as Exporters Adjust Routes

While southern traffic slumped, Russia moved substantially more coal toward its Baltic ports.

Rail shipments destined for Baltic export terminals reached approximately 3.72 million tons in August, rising 24.46% from July and 38.05% from a year earlier.

The increase suggests exporters are redirecting at least some volumes toward northwestern ports as difficulties persist along southern routes.

Russia's Far Eastern ports remained the country's dominant coal export gateway. Approximately 9.32 million tons were transported toward Far Eastern terminals during August, accounting for roughly 59% of total export coal rail shipments.

Far Eastern traffic declined 4.27% from July but remained 8.22% higher than a year earlier.

Vostochny, one of Russia's largest coal export terminals, received approximately 2.76 million tons by rail during the month. Shipments to the port declined 2.85% from July but increased 9.06% year over year.

Russian Coal Exports Remain Ahead of 2025

Despite the August slowdown, Russia's export coal rail traffic remains higher for the year.

Approximately 130 million tons of coal were transported by rail for export during the first eight months of 2026, an increase of 6.9% from the same period in 2025.

Thermal coal shipments totaled about 89.46 million tons, up 2.69%, while coking coal volumes climbed nearly 20% to 25.79 million tons. Anthracite shipments increased more than 16% to 10.73 million tons.

Far Eastern ports handled roughly 60% of Russia's export-oriented coal rail traffic during the January-August period.

The figures indicate that August's decline was driven less by a broad deterioration in Russian coal exports than by changing transportation patterns and severe disruption along southern export corridors.

With Black Sea shipping facing elevated security and insurance risks, Russia's ability to redirect coal through Baltic and Far Eastern terminals could become increasingly important to maintaining export volumes in the coming months.