Marine Façade Port to become a base for a single St. Petersburg public cruise / ferry operator
Passenger Port St. Petersburg Marine Façade PLC plans before the 2020 navigation season to receive in operating management the berths on the English Embankment and the Lieutenant Schmidt Embankment, the PortNews correspondent reported quoting the port general director Vadim Kashin.
As of now the berths are in federal ownership. The Transport Ministry and the Government of St. Petersburg has entered into agreement on the transfer of landing stages and pontoons on English and Lieutenant Schmidt Embankments to municipal ownership, with subsequent assignment of the facilities to Marine Façade.
“Toward the end of navigation in 2019 these piers will be transferred into the ownership of the city, with further transfer to us,” Vadim Kashirin explained.
He recalled that in 2019, Marine Façade received in operating control the Marine Passenger Terminal complex with five berths near the Marine Glory Square. Currently, the issue of rehabilitation of the MPT property complex is being addressed.
“Taking into account the global experience, the municipal government is considering the possibility of creating a single cruise ferry operator of marine terminals in St. Petersburg on the basis of PP St.Pb Marine Façade. The first step towards the project implementation was the transfer of Marine Passenger Terminal assets into trust management of the Marine Façade,” Vadim Kashirin was quoted as saying. He added that the creation of such an operator would allow a flexible approach to the planning of ship call schedules, help improve the quality of service for passengers of ships in St. Petersburg, and also open up fresh opportunities for the cruise industry and region development.
Speaking about the acquisition of cruise and passenger ships, Vadim Kashirin told that the company would be willing to purchase in the secondary market a cruise vessel no older than 15 years.
“But there are no such offers so far for the sale of either a cruise or a passenger ferry. We are considering various options, including a newbuild. However, the construction of a new vessel would take up to three years. Therefore, we continue to negotiate on a JV with the Tallink and Attica. Also Sovcomflot through investments, specialists and competencies could be a potential partner.” Vadim Kashirin said.
Passenger Port of Saint-Petersburg “Marine Façade” PLC is in the ownership of the city of St. Petersburg and is the largest passenger seaport in Russia. Construction of Marine Façade began in 2006. The port can accommodate cruise and ferry ships with length of 330 meters and draft up to 8.8 meters. The length of new access channel is 10 km and design depth of channel and water basin is 11 meters. The port operates seven piers with total quay wall length exceeding 2,1 km.