L4 Logistics | Transport Shipping and Logistics News

    While addressing the Conference, the representatives of Executive Authorities and the analysts noted the strategic role of Russia in the global energy system, as well as the growing importance of maritime transport in servicing the export of energy and in the development of new projects of hydrocarbons production from the Russian off-shore fields, implemented by national oil and gas companies with application of new transportation technologies and logistics patterns.    “…Maritime transportation of oil from the Arctic off-shore fields to the Murmansk region and further to European ports can be compared by its complexity and importance to our other projects in the energy infrastructure area such as the Northern European Gas Pipeline, the Baltic Pipeline System and the East Siberian - Pacific Pipeline System” – said Victor Khristenko in his address. The Minister stressed that there are carriers in Russia able to provide effective and safe transportation of hydrocarbons, and “Sovcomflot is one of the best in this respect”.Development of legal basis in Russia was one of key notes which also sounded in the speeches of the delegates. In particular, it was stated that the adoption of the Law on Russian International Register of Ships and further improvement of tax legislation contributes to building up competitive environment in Russia with a view to attract the fleet under the Russian flag.The Sovcomflot presentation addressed to the delegates of the Conference covered the results of the Group activities in 2005 and touched upon the plans for the future. The leading national shipowner, in particular, plans to participate more actively in servicing the national cargo base and in new industrial projects related to the development of off-shore fields in the Northern and Far-Eastern seas. The major shipbuilding programme of the Company, aimed at operating Hi-Tech vessels for transportation of oil and gas in ice conditions, will contribute a great deal to fulfilling this task. The orders portfolio contains 9 tankers of enhanced ice class of the total deadweight of more than 850,000 tons. Sovcomflot is positioning itself as a leader in developing effective logistical solutions for energy projects, and in shuttle transportation of oil and gas from off-shore fields.The speakers noted that employment of highly professional masters and crews capable of navigating in icy waters, and training such personnel is an important competitive advantage of Sovcomflot. JSC “Sovcomflot” is the leading national shipping company. It owns 51 vessels of the total deadweight of around 4 million tons. The Company specializes in energy shipping. Sovcomflot operates 40 tankers. All of them are double-hulled, and their average age is about 5 years.Source: Press-Centre of Sovcomflot