RZD Logistics offers alternative route for container transit from China to Europe via Bronka

JSC RZD Logistics offers its Chinese partners expedited deliveries by China - North Europe - China route via Bronka port, IAA PortNews correspondent cites Olga Stepanova, Sales Director of RZD Logistics, as saying at a dedicated conference in Saint-Petersburg.

According to her, transit cargo from China to Europe flows by three routes of Russian Railways via border points in Zabaikalsk, Naushki (across Mongolia) and Dostyk (across Kazakhstan). Then they merge in one point – at the Brest - Malashevichi crossing. 

“Brest - Malashevichi crossing is operating efficiently but it has neared the capacity limit. This year has seen a surge of container transit flow between China and Europe. In 2019, China is going to dispatch 8,000 container trains. We are ready to offer an alternative route running via Bronka port”, said Olga Stepanova.

Among the advantages of using Bronka as an end point of transit cargo in Russia she named fast clearance and transshipment of containers from railway to ships. It will take several hours and let Chinese consigners have their cargo enter Europe without delay. 

Besides, Multipurpose Sea Cargo Complex Bronka can consolidate cargo bound for different points in Europe. A train dispatched from any province of China can carry cargoes bound for Scandinavia and Germany without the necessity of having the same point of destination. 

Part of containers transshipped from railway onto a feeder ship can be delivered to the port of Hamburg, others - to the Scandinavian ports. So, Chinese consigners can consolidate cargoes with different points of destination within one train.

“Bronka port has a huge potential since nothing hinders us at the exit from Russia” added Vyacheslav Valentik, General Director of RZD Lgistics.

According to Wu Jingyu, Chairman of China Communications and Transportation Association (CCTA), this offer is very interesting for Chinese consignors if the transit takes no more than 15 days and its cost is not higher as compared with the current routs. 

Wu Jingyu said China would carry out an in-depth study of the new route.

“The new route to Bronka port is an absolutely new route for Chinese clients. Meanwhile, the conference is attended by representatives of several key Chines companies: Chengdu International Railway Service Co., Ltd; Wuhan Asia-Europe Logistics Co., Ltd; Hunan Xiang Ou Express Co., Ltd; Changchun International Inland Port Co.,Ltd; Shandong High-Speed Logistics Group Co., Ltd. It confirms a high interest to this alternative. According to my experience, they will take a decision by March 2019, the earliest, if the cost and the conditions satisfy them. 

Olga Stepanova commented, in her turn: “In logistics it is important to test all new directions. Let’s launch pilot trains in this direction. Together we will find the ways of optimization in respect of costs and door-to-door transit time”. 

MSCC Bronka (Multipurpose Sea Cargo Complex Bronka) is the only deepwater terminal of Big Port St. Petersburg. The facility is located within Saint-Petersburg, near the ring road. With its technological infrastructure MSCC Bronka is a unique terminal for transshipment of containers and all types of Ro-Ro and general cargo including oversize and overweight cargo.

Designed and built from scratch the terminal infrastructure features the most efficient port logistics. The terminal was put into operation in December 2015. Throughput of the terminal doubles every year. 

Further development of the terminal will increase its capacity to 1.4 million TEUs and 200,000 units of Ro-Ro cargoes. When the projects on development of railway and storage infrastructure are completed the terminal’s capacity will be increased to 20 million tonnes by 2022.