Even with sanctions still in place, Russia has seen a notable uptick in its commercial activity on the global stage. That development drew sighs from German specialists, who noted the shift in trade dynamics as reported by Business Insider.
A Kiel Institute for the World Economy briefing centers this observation, documenting a rise in container ship arrivals at Russia’s ports. The institute’s calculations highlight that in August the three largest Russian hubs — Vladivostok, Novorossiysk, and St. Petersburg — experienced increased traffic. The analysis leans on the volume of cargo unloaded in St. Petersburg while not breaking out container volumes by port. Still, the accompanying chart illustrates a year‑over‑year growth in container cargo from the trio of ports. Experts acknowledge they do not know the precise sourcing of goods, yet describe the level of trading activity as unexpectedly high and, to some observers, disappointing.
Concluding the report is a claim that, despite Western sanctions and a weaker ruble, Russia’s trade turnover remains at roughly its pre‑operation levels.
These Kiel Institute findings come on the heels of broader data indicating that China’s purchases from Russia have surged to record levels in dollar terms. Data from China’s customs authority show that during January through August this year, total trade with Russia rose by 32 percent from the same period in 2022 to reach 155.1 billion dollars. Exports from Russia to China increased by 13.3 percent, totaling 83.3 billion dollars. Analysts note this trend as a significant shift in bilateral commerce.
Several former experts have weighed in, suggesting that some countries may gain from the sanctions regime by rerouting and recalibrating trade flows away from traditional markets.