Expected volumes of rail transportation for the Big port of St. Petersburg, including development of new port areas, will reach 33.7 mln tons in 2010, in 38.0 mln tons in 2015, and 39.1 mln tons by 2020. Such forecast is contained in a general scheme of development of railway and sea transport in the North-West region for the period till 2020, the Oktyabrskaya Railway press-service informs.
Growth of rail cargo flows in St. Petersburg hub and Leningrad region is mostly determined by development of seaports on the southern and northern coast of the Gulf of Finland. The important role here is played by the port of Ust-Luga, which is currently under construction and is expected to be one of the largest European in terms of throughput.
The port of St.-Petersburg is located on islands in the Neva delta, Neva bay, and in the east extremity of the Gulf of Finland. The port’s throughput in 2005 amounted 4,282,200 tons. About 30 stevedoring companies handle cargos in territory of the port.