The volume of cargo shipping by Ukrferry in 2009 fell 2.5 times

The volume of cargo shipped by Ukrferry company (rail-ferry carrier of Ukraine) in 2009 decreased, compared with last year, in 2,5 times, the Ukrainian agency "Echo" reports citing Alexander Kurland, the president of Ukrferry. According to the company, the major 62.8% decline falls on "Ilyichevsk – Varna” shipping line. Over eleven months of this year only 61.1 thousand tons of cargoes have been transported on the route. This was due, the company authorities said, to the opening of "Varna - Port Kavkaz rail-ferry.

On the line of "Ilyichevsk - Derince (Turkey)" cargo traffic decline was 42.7% and in the first 11 months totaled 113.6 thousand tons. This year at least 125 thousand tons of cargoes are expected to be transshipped on the route.

For "Ilyichevsk (Kerch) - Poti (Batumi) line Ukrferry company has planned 820 tons of cargoes to be transshipped by the end of 2009. In recent January-November 743.7 thousand tons have been transported, making 20,2% less over the same period of 2008, Mr. Kurlyand said.

However, Alexander Kurlyand assured that according year-end figures the company may finish with a profit. The company has planned for the next year a project to increase its fleet, but the implementation, he noted, would depend on the financial situation of the company.