Cargoes go to the rear

The need for construction of rear port terminals emerged long time ago but the idea was not put into practice. However implementation of a number of projects has started recently. The construction of logistics complexes is carried out by companies owing marine terminals as well as companies having no direct relation to port business. Experts say that dry docks are to ensure the growth of ports’ throughput due to a decrease of time containers are at the terminals’ territory.

The latest of the announced projects is a container terminal to be built by Eurasia Logistic as a part of a large logistics complex (188 hectares in Kolpino). The investment into a 4-hectare container terminal will total $5 million in 2008. All in all the company plans construction of container terminals at the territory of 28 industry parks in Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Turkey. The project of Eurasia Logistic is related to development of an international transport corridor “East-West” (from China to Europe via Russia). The complexes are to be built along the transport corridor.

Nearby the port there is a number of rear terminals not owned by stevedoring companies. Interterminal group has a logistics complex Interterminal-Predportovy at Kubinskaya street. Evrosib owns Predportovy terminal linked by shuttle trains with First Container Terminal. Evrosib also completes the construction of a logistics center in Shushary.

It becomes evident for stevedoring companies that the development of the port of St. Petersburg is impossible without rear logistics complexes. Experts say it especially relates to dry terminals the lack of which hinders the development of Russia’s container market. So now operators of marine terminals make efforts to ensure a “reliable rear”. In late 2008, National Container Company plans to put into operation the first phase of its terminal in Shushary, the investment in which is to total $85 million. Upon the construction completion the complex will make it possible for First Container Terminal to handle additional 200,000 TEU per year provided that a customs corridor is arranged between FCT and a rear terminal so that a consignee could receive its cargo outside the port. Cargo delivery to Shushary is to be arranged by NCC.

N-Trans Group also intends to arrange this type of service in Yanino (Leningrad region) since it bought into its terminal having acquired 50% of shares of Container Depot earlier owned by Container Finance. However, railway delivery of cargo from Petrolesport to Yanino is to be more difficult and longer as compared with transportation from FCT to Shushary.

Dry ports are being built not only in St. Petersburg. In the Far East, Southern Primorski Terminal is to be built 40 kilometers from Vladivostok. Primorie authorities plan it is to be the largest transport-and-logistics center of the region accepting cargo flows going to the port of Vladivostok. The capacity of the complex is to make some 13 million tonnes per year including 1.5 million TEU. The complex is to be included into the special-purpose program on Development of Russia’s Transport System being worked out by the Ministry of Transport.