Cargo traffic at Sea Port St. Petersburg (SP St. Pb) in the first quarter of 2012 totaled 2.15 million tons, a 42-percent growth from the same period’s figure, the stevedore company said.
Shipments of general cargo at the company’s terminals rose 36% to 1.61 million tons. The first-quarter volume of loose and grab bulk leaped by fivefold to 315,000 tons. Handling of rolling cargo was down 17% to 224,000 tons, while the number of imported vehicles increased by 35% to 11,378 units.
Exports accounted for 31 percent of the three-month cargo throughput (1.64 mln t), imports shrank by 17% to 506,000 tons.
"The first-quarter traffic volume growth was attributed to positive market and favorable weather conditions.
In particular, Sea Port St. Petersburg saw a 51% jump in exports of metals (1.39 million tons), including a 42% gain non-ferrous metals (467,000 tons), ferrous – by 40% (747,000 t). There was a threefold surge in shipments of scrap metal.
JSC Sea Port St. Petersburg (part of UCL Port, a sub-holding, managing stevedoring assets of UCL Holding) is the largest operator, providing ranged services for handling of all types of dry bulk cargo in Big Port St. Petersburg. The company operates modern specialized terminals for handling Ro-Ro cargo, imported vehicles and metals. In 2011, cargo throughput at Sea Port St. Petersburg was 7.4 million tons. The Company invested RUB 319 million in upgrade and expansion of terminals and infrastructure.