In the first half of 2009, Russian seaports handled 235 million tonnes (+6%, year-on-year), PortNews IAA reporter cites Serik Zhusupov, executive director of Russian Association of Sea Commercial Ports as saying at the meeting of the Marine Council of St. Petersburg Government.
Major cargoes handled in the Russian seaports are oil, oil products, metal and containers.
According to Serik Zhusupov, over 50 million tonnes of new port facilities will be put into operation in 2009. By the end of 2015 the capacity of Russia’s port facilities will exceed 1 billion tonnes which is to cover Russia’s demands.
Association of Sea Commercial Ports (ASOP) set up in 1987 unites over 50 organizations and enterprises of Russia’s maritime transport. ASOP comprises commercial seaports, forwarding and agency companies, scientific research institutes and marine educational institutions. Operational results of Russian port sector are based on statistics reports and cover all stevedoring companies operating in the Russian Federation.