On April 23 FESCO started to use intermodal container service on the new route connecting Chinese port Ningbo and VMPT using rail transportation mode as well. Components for auto industry are being shipped in 40-foot containers (124 TEUs).
As a reminder, FESCO opened a subsidiary company in Belarus, FESCO BelTrans in early April. The main objectives of the new office are to manage the company's current rail and intermodal services between Belarus and the countries of Southeast Asia, Turkey, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan, as well as to develop new services.
The freight was delivered to Vladivostok at the beginning of May and headed for Belarus on the 8th of May. The company expects the freight train to arrive at Zhodino station on May 22.
“We have great interest in further development of the route, so we will continue to expand the service”, - German Maslov, vice-president of FESCO’s linear and logistic division, explained to the 1520 International. According to him, the company is planning to send to Belarus up to four container trains transporting spare auto parts via VMPT and other routes on monthly basis.
According to Leonid Vardomsky, professor and head of the Center of Post-Soviet Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the competition between FESCO and OTLC ERA for the Chinese transit will have a favorable impact on the tariffs, which will benefit both senders and recipients of freights. "It is a fine opportunity for the service. As long as we have enough railcars and throughput capacity in Russian Railways’ network, - says the expert. He believes that the service will be most in demand among shippers working in the Northeast of China.
Victoria Yeletina