Novorossiysk Seaport To Expand Throughput Capacity to 250 Million Tons by 2030

According to forecasts by the Association of Exporters and Importers (AEI) of Russia, significant growth in export cargo flows through the port of Novorossiysk in the Krasnodar Territory is expected by 2030. The volume of exports could reach 250 million tons per year.

To cope with the existing shortage of port throughput capacity, several initiatives have been proposed. These include the construction of an unmanned transport and logistics center, as well as the creation of interception sites outside the city. In addition to the transport and logistics center, developments include the construction of a high-tech container terminal, the reconstruction of Portovaya Street with the creation of an overpass over the railroad tracks, as well as additional railroad tracks and a railcar reception park.

The AEI stated that “There currently is a trend toward an increase in export cargo flows (from 160 million to 250 million tons by 2030), which is putting pressure on the transport infrastructure. As the North-South transport corridor develops, cargo turnover through the port of Novorossiysk is expected to grow exponentially. We are already facing a shortage of capacity both within the port and on the access roads.” If completed, Novorossiysk will have similar throughput capacity to Hong Kong and Dubai ports.

Novorossiysk Port is sited on the northeastern part of the Black Sea. It is Russia’s largest seaport and ranks fifth among the largest ports in Europe. It is the only universal ice-free deep-water port in Russia’s southern basin, allowing for year-round navigation. Novorossiysk is a hub of international transport corridors connecting Russia with the Mediterranean, the Middle East, Africa, South and Southeast Asia, North and South America.

The Novorossiysk Commercial Seaport Group (NCSP), which operates in the Novorossiysk Seaport, is the third-largest port operator in Europe and the largest stevedoring operator in terms of cargo turnover, in Russia. It unites stevedoring companies operating in the Azov-Black Sea and Baltic ports, including the ports of Novorossiysk and Primorsk. Transneft is the largest shareholder of NCSP, with the Russian government owning 20%. NCSP Group companies account for 95.6% of cargo handled at the port of Novorossiysk and 47.0% of the cargo turnover of all ports in the Azov-Black Sea basin.

As part of the Russian Transport Strategy To 2030, special attention is paid to the modernization of port facilities to strengthen the country’s transit potential and integration into international transport corridors.

The authorities are also considering the possibility of creating a Special Economic Zone (SEZ_ in Novorossiysk, which would allow goods to be stored and used within the zone without paying customs duties. SEZ residents are exempt from paying value-added tax. Currently, there are two port SEZs in Russia: Olya and Ulyanovsk.