In the beginning of 2022, Russian coal companies faced insufficiency of railway capacity at the approaches to the North-Western ports, which threatens with nonfulfillment of deliveries to European customers. Some stevedores operating in the Baltic ports of Russia told IAA PortNews that the volumes approved by Russian Railways for January are 30% below the plan. The monopoly confirms the restrictions and attributes them to a slow handling of cargo in ports, particularly due to the frosty weather.

The list of phantom projects in Russian ports has not changed a lot over the year although some projects have been restructured and given a second wind. Dramatic changes in global logistics affected the plans of those investing in port infrastructure of Russia.

According to data obtained by IAA PortNews, transformation of FSUE Rosmorport and FSUE Natsrybresurs (owns fish terminals in seaports) into joint stock companies being considered by the State Duma in the first reading is not likely to happen before 2023. However, final parameters of the process, inventory survey and stock check can be completed next year.

Rosmorrechflot has reportedly approved the intent of Eduard Khudainatov's CoalStar to invest in construction of new coal terminals in the Far East. The projects of 42 million tonnes in capacity are to be implemented in Vostochny and Vladivostok ports. Experts expect the projects to face insufficient capacity of railways in the Eastern area which is already acute.

By the year-end results of 2021, the Port of Arkhangelsk shows strong growth in dry cargo segment. At the same time, the port is currently busy handling project cargoes intended for the Arctic projects, gradually becoming a real gateway to the Arctic. As before, the exports from the region still do not flow through the Arkhangelsk terminals, bypassing currently St. Petersburg as well, going directly to the Trans-Siberian Railway, which entails a shortage of railway wagons.

Naval architecture and marine engineering firm Marine Engineering Bureau-Design-SPb (MIB) will develop engineering design for an Arc 7 multipurpose ship for Hydrographic Enterprise (part of State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom) which manages the infrastructure on the Northern Sea Route. MIB was announced winner in a tendering process among other five bidders for contract. MIB proposal (RUB 48.1 million) for contract price appeared to be the lowest. Experts say the that the RFP process attracted so many participants since no major projects are expected next year.

In his interview with IAA PortNews following the 11th International Forum “Arctic Projects, Today and Tomorrow”, Vyacheslav Ruksha, Deputy General Director of Rosatom - Director of the Northern Sea Route Directorate, shares his opinion on rationale behind changing the NSR Navigation Rules.

In the run-up to the 5th International Congress “Hydraulic Engineering Structures and Dredging”, René Kolman, Secretary General of the International Association of Dredging Companies (IADC), long standing partner of PortNews Media Group, tells about the current state of the dredging industry and its key development trends.

FSUE Rosmorport may withdraw from the shareholders of Saint-Petersburg based Lenmorniiproekt JSC (one of Russia’s three major designers of ports, terminals and transport systems). The share of Rosmorport (83.65%) can attract several market players, said those interviewed by IAA PortNews. Experts believe Rosmorport is set to sell its share in view of its transformation into a joint-stock company.

Despite all the climate warming announcements, the beginning of this winter already demonstrates unpredictability and severity of the Arctic nature. Without proceeding with the programme on construction of icebreakers it will be impossible to ensure year-round navigation on the Northern Sea Route thus threatening the implementation of investment projects in the region. Another crucial task is large-scale dredging.