Preparatory work on creation of Belomorsk seaport (Karelia) to start as early as this year. The results of the work done since the project announcement a year ago and its prospects are disclosed to PortNews IAA by Andrei Kyachin, Director General of Belomorsk Port CJSC

The conflict between Sea Commercial Port of Illichivsk (Ukraine) and Ukrtranscontainer (subsidiary of National Container Company) is far from conclusion despite the decision of the High Court of Ukraine in favor of NCC. The sides are preparing for new legal proceedings and are ready to go as far as an international arbitrage

Oil cargo is the only segment in the market of sea shipping to have retained positive dynamics amid the crisis. Meanwhile, the crude and oil products are the main items of Russian export. The amount of shipped oil depends on the efficient operation of sea terminals closing export pipelines. One of the ways to optimize stevedoring activities in oil ports is to introduce EDP system (Early Departure Procedure), top management of port Primorsk (Leningrad region) believes

Fishing berths managed by Rosrybolovstvo (Russia’s Federal Fishery Agency) are to be reconstructed by the Agency in order to use them for fish transshipment. Stevedoring companies operating such berths under lease agreements will be suggested to invest in the adjacent infrastructure and fitting of the fishing terminals with the corresponding equipment as well as to carry out fish handling activities there. The support of all leaseholders is highly questionable

Container throughput of Big Port of St. Petersburg continues sinking while no “bottom” is seen so far. In January-July 2009, the port’s container throughput fell by 38% to 703,364 TEUs

Federal Customs Service (FCS) of the Russian Federation is developing a set of measures to support Russian ports of the Baltic Sea. To get rid of excessive customs procedures it is proposed to integrate the Baltic and St. Petersburg Customs having transferred the entire clearance cycle to the “dry port”. Moreover, it is supposed to limit truck delivery of 20-feet and larger containers to Russia in order to support cargo traffic

The meeting “Results of GosMorRechNadzor supervisory activities in the first half of the year and efficiency improvement in the second half of 2009” chaired by RosTransNadzor deputy head Vladimir Popov was held in the Federal Service for Transport Supervision (RosTransNadzor)

PortNews IAA continues publishing abstracts from the speeches of the Round Table meeting “RF getting ready to participate in Voluntary IMO Member State Audit Scheme” held on June 10, 2009 in Admiral Makarov State Maritime Academy. Here is a brief outline of the report of S. Koshchi, deputy Director General of the Russian Maritime Registry of Shipping

From September 25 till October 7, 2009, Russia will participate in Voluntary IMO Member State Audit Scheme. Four auditors will check the conformity of the country’s maritime transport system to the requirements of international agreements and will recommend on corrective measures. The Round Table meeting “RF getting ready to participate in Voluntary IMO Member State Audit Scheme” arranged by PortNews IAA discussed the drawbacks acknowledged by Russian maritime community

5.4 million tonnes of export oil were transported via LUKOIL-owned Varandey oil terminal in the Barents Sea with the start of Sovcomflot tankers operation in autumn 2008. Experts say further terminal development has good prospects and will enable LUKOIL to gain market advantages