Antonio Raimo: "conditions are available to shift part of freight flows to Bronкa"

In early September the first commercial vessel made call to unload at MMPK Bronka, a versatile transshipment complex (Big Port St. Petersburg). Antonio Raimo, Manager of TransRussiaExpress line of Finnlines, in an interview with IAA PortNews told about the details of the first call at the new port of Bronka in St. Petersburg.

- Mr. Raimo, please tell us about your decision to make the first call at the St. Petersburg based new port, which was built in record time? Wasn't there any doubt that the new port is not ready yet to receive commercial ships? There was a risk, wasn't it?

- I've known Alexei Shukletsov, executive director of Fenix LLC, developer of the new port Bronka, for a long time as a great professional in maritime logistics. He's always been a man of his word. Therefore, we had no doubt of the success of the first call. As we were told that the port is ready, we did not hesitate to go to Bronka upon request. And were not surprised at all that everything went smoothly.

- What were impressions of the captain of the Ro-Ro ferry Finnmill that delivered the first shipment of commercial goods to the new port?

- Yes, I've talked to our captain, and he praised the new route to Bronka. The vessel traversed the access channel just smoothly and mooring was performed professionally. We worked during our first call without assistance of tugs, because the wind force did not exceed 10 m / s.

Later, when the navigation channel will be expanded further, arrival at Bronka port will be even more comfortable.

Today Bronka is a completely ready marine terminal as it meets the requirements of Ro-Ro lines. If the service on shore is of the same quality we have been provided with at the pier of Bronka, I am sure the new port will be in great demand in the Baltic Sea.

- Have you secured any orders from shippers for cargo transportation through the port of Bronka?

- Yes, we have, but for now I'd rather not go into details as this concerns our business information. It's clear what our clients expect: Bronka port could simplify the logistics of cargo deliveries from Europe to Russia.

- What are your expectations?

- We expect that Fenix LLC will undertake active steps for the new port infrastructure development. A big advantage of the new port is availability of direct connection to the ring road. It is also important to further develop the rail access to the marine terminal. Now a lot will depend on freight related procedures: customs clearance at the terminal must be performed quickly and efficiently. For the rest, today we can say that all the conditions have already been available to shift part of freight flows to Bronka.

Interviewed by Nadegda Malysheva.