DFDS launches ferry service to Ust-Luga port
An official opening of the new DFD Seaways’ Ust-Luga - Sassnitz - Kiel ferry line was held at the port of Ust-Luga (Leningrad region), the PortNews correspondent reports from the ceremony. The ferry will be carrying on the route various types of rolling cargo, oversized, general and project cargoes and containers.
Soon, the freight and passenger ferry Kaunas will commence shipping of lumber and tracked vehicles. The ship has accommodations for more than 260 passengers. Her cargo capacity is approximately 1,600 lm. The vessel can transport up to 80 tractor-trailer trucks. In the future the number of sailings will be increased from 1 to 2 times a week. The ferry line’s Russian Agent is SCF DFDS Lines, Ltd."
Port of Ust-Luga is located on Russia’s border with the EU. Now, Rosmorport is implementing the port’s dredging project, to deepen its harbor and approach channel. Upon completion, the 17.5-m deep harbor and a short 3.7-km approach channel will make Ust-Luga the major Russian port on the Baltic Sea capable of accommodating 160,000DWT tankers. This year the second approach canal is expected to be completed, making possible circle movement of vessels.Currently, there are six terminals operating at the port (nine more to be commissioned soon). Overall, by 2018 there will be 19 terminals.
The Ust-Luga ferry complex encompasses 38.2 ha. Its projected capacity is 2.9 million tons a year. The terminal has a railroad yard and rail network over 8.8km in length.