RUSSIA - Having the facilities to work on the unloading of bulk freight from up to twenty rail cars simultaneously and the ability to employ a multimodal approach must have proved vital on the construction contract undertaken by the Russian Railways Logistics (RZDL) branch in Saint Petersburg recently. The consignee, the JSC Timber Terminal 'Factor', which is developing the cargo handling capability and surrounding infrastructure at the Port of Ust-Luga on the Eastern arm of the Baltic Sea, has the capability for such an undertaking via its own rail head.
The delivery was for in excess of 35,000 tonnes of crushed stone on its way to construct the latest phase of the M-11 Narva Highway which links to the port. RZDL carried the stone from the Lafarge Russia Aggregate and Concrete site in the Republic of Karelia where it was transhipped and forwarded a mile out to the construction site.
RZDL took responsibility for the complete project coordinating all parts of the operations and liaising with all parties to ensure a smooth transit. The handling of crushed stone is carried out at the port at specialist terminals with 24 hour access with the open rail cars unloading then the re-stowing to road trucks for the final delivery.
The completion of the motorway should mean the reconstructed entrance to the Port of Ust-Luga will be completed in the fourth quarter of this year.