River Freight Service Launched Between Russia’s Khabarovsk and China’s Tongjiang

A river freight route connecting the city of Tongjiang in northeastern China’s Heilongjiang Province with Russia’s Khabarovsk was launched this week, according to the Chinese Xinhua News Agency.

Two barges powered by the Longtui-610 tugboat left the Tongjiang River port and sailed to Khabarovsk along the Sungari (Songhuajian) and Amur (Heilongjiang) rivers, which marks the beginning of the navigation period along the indicated route.

The barges carried 1,130 tonnes of cargo with a total value of ₽220 million (US$2.78 million). The goods included building stone, elevator accessories, and rolls of colored steel. The route along the Songhuaziang and Heilongjiang rivers is expected to be used to carry cement from China to Russia, while organic fertilizers and copper are supplied from Russia.