Samsun-Caucasus train ferry line launched in Turkey
Samsun-Caucasus train ferry line has been officially launched in Samsun (Turkey). The grand ceremony was attended by RF Transport Minister Maksim Sokolov and Turkish Minister for Transportation Binali Yildirim, press center of the Russian Ministry informs.
In his opening speech Maksim Sokolov noted that the ferry line operating from December 2010, has undergone the test successfully. “In 2012, its cargo potential exceeded 40,000 tons having almost tripled against the previous year. This year the line capacity is to be increased by 2.5 times. The practice has proved full conformity of the regulatory framework with all requirements of the transportation process for successful operation at this direction,” the Minister said. He told that the Operational Council was set up for the successful operation of the line.
In addition to Intergovernmental Agreement on arrangement of an intermodal mixed international train-ferry link between the ports of Caucasus and Samsun and the Rules for transportation of cargo, wagons and containers by intermodal international train-ferry link, an interim agreement was signed by RZhD OJSC, general directorate of Turkish national railway, marine carrier Black Sea Ferries and Investments Ltd, Turkish operator in port Samsun (UPM Nakliyat) on operation and accounting of private cargo wagons and containers of intermodal international train-ferry link.
The Minister congratulated all the participants of the ceremony. “It is a high day for all those who over a number of years worked on the development of a new transport corridor which has become another symbol of good neighbour relations historically formed between Russia and Turkey,” Sokolov said.
We remind that the Agreement between the Governments of Turkey and Russia on arrangement of an intermodal international train-ferry communication between the ports of Samsun (Turkey) and Caucasus (Russia) was signed on May 12, 2010 in Ankara.
The line was launched on December 21, 2010 and was prolonged every year. The line’s agent is BFI LLC. The line’s major ports of call are Caucasus (Russia), Samsun (Turkey) with an optional port Poti (Georgia). The Ulfat and Feruz vessels operate on the line.
In 2011, 11,237 tons of cargo was transported by the line with 7 calls to port Caucasus. In 2012 - 64,790 tons of cargo with 18 calls to port Caucasus.
International transport corridor Caucasus – Samsun (Turkey) makes it possible to deliver cargo to and from Turkey to the Russian Federation and the Central Asia in the shortest time span with the least possible costs.
