In February 2015, the port of Ust-Luga dispatched 201 wagons with large steel plates for Nord Stream-2 (1,005 plates), says press center of Commercial Sea Port of Ust-Luga.
From the beginning of the project in October 2016, the port dispatched more than 5,000 steel plates. In January 2017, 294 railcars with steel plates left Ust-Luga for Vyksa Steel Works (Gorkovskaya railway), in October 2016 - 134 railcars.
Total volume of cargo dispatched in the 4-month period amounted to some 58,000 t.
The transshipment of large steel plates is a joint work performed by Commercial Sea Port of Ust-Luga JSC, which operates a Multipurpose Terminal Yug-2, and PUL Trans JSC, a rail shunting operator at the port of Ust-Luga.
Different logistics schemes were considered under the Nord Stream-2 project for the delivery of steel sheets to Russia. Among them was the delivery via the port of Ust-Luga.
Nord Stream-2 opted for Ust-Luga because it ensured careful handling of non-standard cargo, says the statement.
Yug-2 has recently acquires equipment for transshipment of steel plates and large diameter pipes. Multi Tool Crane is intended for vacuum hoisting of plates and pipes. The technology prevents cargo damage in the process of transshipment and ensures safety of personnel during loading/unloading operations
PUL Trans is responsible for comprehensive preparation of railcars for loading, testing of load securing items, securing of cargo, ensuring that railcars are clear for loading/travelling, customs clearance.
The two pipelines running through the Baltic Sea and known as Nord Stream-2 are supposed to transport gas from Russia to Germany. Combined, the twin pipelines have the capacity of 55 billion cubic metres (bcm) of gas a year. The two 1,200-kilometre pipelines are being built by Nord Stream-2 AG. Nord Stream-2 is to be put into operation in late 2019.
Ust-Luga port is situated practically at the border of the Russian Federation and the European Union. The deep water area of the port (17.5 m) together with the approach channel (3.7 km) make Ust-Luga the only Russian port on the Baltic Sea able to accommodate dry-cargo vessels with the deadweight of up to 75,000 tonnes and liquid cargo carriers with the deadweight of up to 160,000 tonnes.
Commercial Sea Port of Ust-Luga OJSC is a stevedoring company operating Multipurpose Terminal YUG-2 and Auto-Railway Ferry Terminal.
Multipurpose Terminal YUG-2 is designed for handling a wide range of cargo: new cars, high &heavy cargo, containers, project and general cargo.