A new regular direct freight service linking Khabarovsk and Okhots will be launched on July 15, the regional government press office said.
The line is launched in the framework of an agreement between the Government of Khabarovsk Krai, the Okhotsk administration and Khabarovsk River Trading Port.
Cargoes will be shipped by mixed "river-sea" class vessels. The port has acquired a sea-going tugboat and two barges to transport directly to Okhotsk more than 2 million tonnes of cargo two times a month. The barges will have on board two refrigerated containers for perishable goods. The voyage from Khabarovsk to Okhotsk takes about a week.
The Ministry of Industry and Transport of the region said there had been several disruptions in goods delivery with insufficient volumes to the northern villages.
OJSC Khabarovsk River Trading Port was founded in 1992. The company is included in the list of strategic enterprises of Russia. The port assets include six berths of total quay wall length of 565 m, three cargo yards equipped with 11 gantry cranes, access rail and roads lines, indoor warehouses and outdoor storage area, and production and repair facilities. The port operates 18 vessels, including tugboats, inshore boats and special ships, 27 non-self powered dry cargo and bulk oil barges and five floating cranes, etc.