Makhachkala port operator reports a 160% gain in dry bulk segment, to 635,000 tonnes

Dry cargo volume handled at the terminal of FSUE Makhachkala Commercial Seaport in January-November leaped by 160% year-on-year to 635,000 tonnes, the stevedoring company said.

Overall, in the eleven-month period the port of Makhachkala transshipped more than 4.5 million tonnes of cargo.

"For the 11-month period of last year, dockers handled 395,000 tonnes of dry cargo, but this year the dry bulk volume rose to 635,000 tonnes. The growth in imports was more than 400%," said General Director of the company Ahmed Gajiyev.

Makhachkala Commercial Seaport is located on the west coast of the Caspian Sea in the Republic of Dagestan, Russia. The port terminals are assessable all year round. The port handles crude oil, petroleum products, mineral construction (crushed stone, gravel) cargo, grain, general cargo and timber. The port is a gate for traffic flows from Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Baltic States, as well as transit cargo to Iran, Turkey, Central Asia and back. The port is connected to the Caucasus Railway network through the Makhachkala railway station. In 2012 the port operator handled about 6 million tonnes (including 5.3 million tonnes of liquid bulk cargoes).