Stevedores of Big Port of St. Petersburg against abolition of border control at the port’s certain berths

On June 4, 2008, stevedoring companies of the port of St. Petersburg participated in a meeting dedicated to abolition of border control at certain berths of the port, which may come into effect from June 16 and last for an indefinite period. As PortNews IAA learnt from Vladimir Avigdor, Director General of Sea Fishing Port LLC, at the territory of which the meeting was held, the stevedores wrote a letter to St. Petersburg Governor Valentina Matvienko and other governmental authorities. According to Avigdor, the situation is similar to that of the early 2007, whine border control was abolished at a number of berths. After that the companies invested into equipment of border points in compliance with all requirements. However regular problems arise due to the fact that port limits have not been approved yet and border points operate under temporary basis.
It should be reminded that according to the decision of FSB Border Service, border control is to be ceased at the berths of Kirovsky Zavod OJSC, Baltic Shipbuilding Plant OJSC, Baltiysky Zavod OJSC, shipbuilding plant Severnaya Verf OJSC and Sea Fishing Port LLC. Abolition of border control is to result in loss of 70% of refrigerated cargo traditionally handled at the above berths. “The city will be left without fish and fruit,” Avigdor said. He also emphasized the berths of other companies, which are to continue border control, will not be able to handle all cargo. That is why the suppliers of goods are also worried with the situation. Besides, Avigdor said the abolition of border control is to result in congestion of vessels off the harbor.