In January-April 2009, Ust-Luga port handled 2.595 million tonnes of cargo (+20%, year-on-year), PortNews IAA learnt from Oleg Glukhov, Harbor Master of the port. According to the source, coal transshipment increased by 12% to 2.067 mln t, transshipment of cargo carried by ferries increased 7.15 times to 261,000 tonnes, ferrous metal - 10 times to 75,800 tonnes while transshipment of timber fell 69% to 83,400 tonnes.
Ust-Luga port is situated practically at the border of the Russian Federation and the European Union. The deep water area of the port (16 m) together with the short ship channel (3.7 km) make Ust-Luga port the only Russian port on the Baltic Sea capable of admitting dry-cargo vessels with the deadweight of up to 75,000 tonnes and liquid cargo carriers with the deadweight of up to 120,000 tonnes. The second ship channel providing roundabout ship traffic will be built by 2010. By 2010 the cargo turnover of Ust-Luga port is expected to amount to 50 mln tonnes.