From Paper to Platform: Russian Logistics Embraces Digital Freight Documentation
Equipment distributor Komek Machinery has become the first in its segment to implement a system for electronic transportation documents (ETDs), integrating it into its internal systems and streamlining workflows with carriers and freight forwarders.
Digital Transformation Hits the Logistics Sector
Komek Machinery’s successful rollout of electronic transportation documents is a milestone for Russia’s logistics sector. As a distributor of premium-brand equipment, the company integrated ETDs into its ERP environment, significantly simplifying operations with logistics partners.
Before the switch, Komek relied on a manual system — exporting shipment requests and waybills from 1C into Excel, printing and signing them, then circulating physical copies via email. Final confirmation required hard-copy originals that met regulatory standards.
“Transparent accounting is vital for us. We undergo strict audits, both domestic and international, every year. We handle around 600 shipments monthly — that’s nearly 1,800 cargo units — with just two logistics staff,” said Yulia Deryusheva, Komek Machinery’s logistics director.
The importance of this transition is underscored by upcoming regulation: starting September 1, 2026, electronic waybills will be mandatory under updated Russian transport legislation. Komek’s early adoption shows that Russian businesses aren’t just preparing — they’re proactively embracing digital solutions to boost efficiency.
The Bigger Picture: Market Growth and Infrastructure
Russia’s logistics digitization push is not new. Between 2020 and 2024, the market for electronic document management systems (EDMS) grew by 61%, from 59 to 95 billion rubles. Over the past year alone, it grew by 15%.
The national ETD information system was launched in September 2022. In just two years, it now supports six document types for road freight, with nearly 15 million documents processed — over 1 million each month.
A key development was the integration with the 1C platform — long the gold standard for accounting automation in Russia.
Internationally, Russia is expanding cross-border digital freight workflows. The country is becoming a global player in digital logistics, with strengths in autonomous transport, digital rail systems, and urban ITS (intelligent transport systems).
According to the Digital Transport and Logistics Association, top five export markets for Russian logistics tech include Kazakhstan, China, Belarus, Brazil, and India. Russian IT solutions are increasingly in demand across BRICS, EAEU, and beyond.
To scale exports, the Technolead.rf Center for Technological Leadership was established in 2023 to assess key markets, evaluate product potential, and train overseas clients to use Russian software.
Forecast: Speed, Scale, and Strategic Investment
Experts estimate that by 2030, digital platforms will boost average delivery speeds by 15% and raise total cargo volumes by 12%. In 2025, the federal Digital Transport Transformation Project will receive 500 million rubles in funding — rising to 1.89 billion in 2026 and 1.69 billion in 2027.
According to SberKorus, by 2025, 29% of the transportation industry will be running on electronic documentation. Paper documents currently cost 450 rubles each to process — 45 times more than an electronic version.
Already, 80% of Russian transport companies are deploying new digital business models, with 55% actively implementing digital transformation strategies.
Russia’s logistics future is clearly digital. The creation of a national digital transport and logistics platform, coupled with the growth of the ETD system and widespread business adoption, is laying the groundwork for systemic industry transformation. Komek Machinery’s experience shows that Russian firms are not only ready — they are leading.
