Russia's Far East ports offer shorter transit times to St. Petersburg, but shipper interest is weak.

Shippers moving goods from northeastern China to international markets are turning to Russian ports.

Far East ports, such Vladivostok and Khabarovsk, will drive Russian container volume growth, as trade between Russia and China grows through greater economic cooperation, according to new government forecast out of Moscow.

Fesco Transportation Group’s revenue and earnings declined in the first half as a weaker rouble and lower ocean freight rates offset higher container volumes.

Russia’s Commercial Port of Vladivostok handled 47,900 cars, trucks and heavy duty vehicles in the first half of 2013, increasing 23.5 percent compared with the same period in 2012.