Freight traffic passing through the port of Arkhangelsk in the first half of 2011 decreased by 14.9% compared with H1, 2010, to 1,818,000 tons, the Port Authority said.
Handling of outbound cargoes increased by 22.8% to 988,800 tons, including 41,900 tons of paper, paperboard and wood pulp, a 21.1 percent growth on a year earlier. Shipments of petroleum products soared by 80.7% to 552,100 tons, while coal exports dropped 22.4% to 107,700 tons, timber cargo volume shrank by 5.7% to 239,400 tons. Six-month volume of inbound goods rose by 6.1% to 332,800 tons.Short sea traffic slumped by 51.2% to 496,400 tons.
In June, freight traffic decreased by 19.9% from last year’s June, to 406,400 tons. Monthly volume of imports rose by 12.9% to 45,600 tons, while exports surged by 44.8% to 236,900 tons. Short sea trade volume plunged by 59.2% to 123,900 tons.
Port of Arkhangelsk is a year-round navigable seaport located in the delta of the Northern Dvina River flowing into the White Sea. The port is a gateway for cargoes carried on the Northern Sea Route. The stevedore companies operating at the port handle ranged cargoes: general, cellulose, cardboard, containers, timber, metals, fertilizers and heavy-lift cargo, suction and grab cargoes. The port annual capacity is 4,5 million tons. In 2010, Port of Arkhangelsk handled 4,5 million tons, a y-o-y 30.1 percent growth.