As early as since the 70s of the last century internal container fleet has been actively developing in many European countries; it helps to remove a considerable part of loading with railways and roads, to reduce ecological danger. Within the limits of the exhibition «Transtek - 2008» there was a round table devoted to development of an internal container fleet in Russia. It is necessary to stress the theme of the round table is very topical. Volumes of cargo transportation grow and will continue growing further, roads and railways are not able to cope with a huge cargoes flow, ecology suffers, huge amounts of money need to be spent for restoration of road pavement destroyed by heavy trucks. Meanwhile such convenient and ecologically safe transport as river container vessels is almost not used. Besides, container transportation allows increasing labour productivity, considerably increasing speed of delivery and providing cargo safety. European experience shows that active use of internal waterways allows to considerably cut down expenses of logistics companies. It will reflect also on consumer - after all, transport expenses make a considerable part of product’s final price. Olga Shershneva, head of design development of "Liter": - "There is a problem that sometimes it is cheaper to use railways. But at the latest Sea Board this question was also discussed; it was decided that it was necessary to implement a uniform taxation system, then internal waterways will become competitive. As a matter of fact, like all over the world. Sooner or later we face the situation, which develops e.g. in Europe. I hope the programme will work". But despite obvious necessity of development of this programme arising difficulties do not allow yet developing at a sufficient rate. Nikolay Smirnov, president of Association of Shipping Companies: - "Yes, psychology reorganization will be required; yes, construction of specialized container vessels will be required. But it is possible to begin today with re-equipment of existing universal vessels with the help of little money; and we should start carrying containers. It is necessary to begin today. For example rapid development like in Germany took 10-12 years. I think in some ten years specialized container trucks will really go down Volgo-Balt, to Perm, Volgograd, Saratov, Moscow, and we will unload railways and – what is most important - roads". There is a lot of work: it is necessary to build a corresponding fleet, to change a variety of regulative documents, river ports and channels await modernization… It would be desirable to think that this round table will be the beginning of a dialogue between the interested parties, and this will lead to certain results in the nearest future.
