Cargo traffic at JSC Sea Port Saint-Petersburg (MP St.Pb) in January-June 2014 totaled 4.1 million tonnes, an increase of 4% over the same period last year, the stevedoring company said on Wednesday.
Handling of general cargo in the reporting period increased by 6% on 1H2013 figure to 3.1 million tonnes, while bulk cargo volume remained flat, at the level of the six-month period 2013, about 1 million tonnes.
The half-year traffic increase is attributed to demand recovery in the global commodity markets, for ferrous metals, in particular, and to reduction of stocks. Handling of ferrous metals of the port's major clients increased by 14% to 1.2 million tonnes. Export of non-ferrous metals (aluminum) slumped by 38% to 0.6 million tonnes due to market factors.
Shipments of vehicles, largely imported autos, in the reporting dropped by 35% to 15,975 units on the back of general trends in the Russian automobile market.
Export cargo accounting for 82.5% of freight flows passing through the operator's terminals, grew by 14% to 3.4 million tonnes, while the share of imports (17.5%) shrank by 21 % to 0.7 million tonnes.
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 2013, cargo throughput at Sea Port St. Petersburg was 7.8 million tonnes.
