In 2007, port Olya (Astrakhan region) doubled its throughput, Sergei Terskov, the region’s Minister of industry, transport and communications told journalists according to Rosbalt. The port’s throughput amounted to 660,000 tonnes of cargo, while the port is to increase its throughput to 1.2 million tonnes in 2008 and to 4 million tonnes in 2009.
However, the port’s construction has not been completed yet. Only two berths are in operation with four more berths to be put into operation in 2008. The investments are to make RUR 1.2 billion by the end of 2008.
Sergei Terskov also noted that on December 13, 2007, Federal Tax Service granted a permit for export of passenger automobiles via the port and for their clearance. The first batch of automobiles handled by the port was that by of Iranian manufacture.