When Digitalization Delivers Profit

Transport and Logistics

At the Transport of Russia Forum, industry leaders focused on a topic that was once considered abstract: how to turn transport digitalization into measurable financial gains. The discussion moved beyond long-term forecasts to concrete figures that show how digital tools are reducing costs and increasing revenue across the sector.

For Russia’s IT industry, the forum marked a clear shift — demand for digital platforms in transport and logistics has become substantial and sustained. AI-based routing systems, predictive maintenance platforms, analytics suites, and electronic document systems are transitioning from optional upgrades to essential elements of competitiveness. For the government, transport digitalization now represents a strategic priority shaping national economic efficiency, supply-chain integration, and freight distribution.

Expanding Export Capabilities

The nationwide transition to mandatory electronic transport documents opens a significant opportunity for Russian IT companies. Domestic platforms gain a protected position in the internal market as well as a foundation for offering their solutions abroad. Developers specializing in AI routing, predictive maintenance, and transport optimization see strong potential in export markets across the CIS, the Baltics, Central Asia, and the Middle East.

Because Russian developers have extensive experience working in harsh climates and challenging geographies, they hold a competitive advantage. The formation of integrated ecosystems combining transport services with digital solutions is becoming increasingly feasible. These ecosystems — which can include payment platforms, customs integration, data analytics, and end-to-end logistics optimization — could be deployed within international cooperation frameworks such as the Eurasian Economic Union and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.

“The digital transformation is steadily reshaping the rules of the transport industry. We expect major expansion in autonomous technologies operating along key national routes, the launch of the prototype of the national GosLog platform, and further progress in electronic documentation. All these initiatives form the foundation of a more efficient, transparent, and user-friendly logistics ecosystem.”

Polina Davydova

Director of the Digital Transport and Logistics Association

Successes and Challenges

Russia’s digital transport transformation reflects steady progress from pilot projects to large-scale deployment. In 2023, the regulatory foundation began to take shape with the creation of a unified government geoinformation system for electronic transport documents and related digital services.

AI adoption is accelerating as well. Research indicates that 45 percent of transport companies plan to implement artificial intelligence within the next two to three years — signaling a transition to mainstream adoption. Several companies already demonstrate that investments in AI and digital tools pay for themselves by reducing operating costs, accelerating asset turnover, and opening new revenue channels.

These trends are especially relevant in the global logistics market, where Western platforms currently dominate. The ability of Russian developers to introduce competitive domestic solutions is reshaping perceptions of the country’s technological capabilities.

Outcomes and Future Outlook

Discussions at the Transport of Russia Forum highlighted several conclusions. First, transport digitalization in Russia has moved beyond pilot testing and is entering a phase of large-scale commercial deployment. The conversation now centers on business metrics — ROI, cost reduction, and revenue growth.

Second, the regulatory environment is strengthening. The mandatory shift to electronic transport documents and the integration of state systems are creating an ecosystem in which digital tools become essential rather than optional. Companies that fail to adopt them risk falling behind.

Third, digitalization is becoming a core source of competitive advantage. Companies that route freight more efficiently, process documents faster, or predict maintenance needs more accurately secure gains in cost, speed, and service quality. This is increasingly decisive in winning clients and freight volumes.

By 2030, the share of companies using AI routing, predictive maintenance, and electronic documentation is expected to exceed 50–60 percent. The first fully commercial autonomous freight transport operations are likely to emerge. Russian digital logistics solutions are expected to expand into CIS, Central Asian, and Middle Eastern markets.

The forum demonstrated that the era when digitalization was optional is over. It is now a strategic priority uniting government, major transport providers, and technology companies. The question is no longer whether digitalization will happen, but how quickly — and who will benefit most from the transformation.