Trans-Siberian Railway test intermodal from Korea to Poland

CARGO originating from Busan has been transshipped via rail to the Port of Vostochny in the Russian Far East on the Sea of Japan, following the launch of a new Trans-Siberian Railway service from Vostochny and Slavok in Poland.


The experimental service's frequency is still undetermined, reported London's Containerisation International, though today it offers 11-12 day transit. The Far East Land Bridge has organised the block train service that has been subcontracted out to Transcontainer and Vostochnaya Stevedoring Company (VSC) that handle transit through the Port of Vostochny, including customs clearance.


"Transit used to account for nearly one third of Vostochny container terminal's turnover, but it almost disappeared after 2006," said VSC chief executive John Scourtis. "Now we are seeking to have this cargo come back to VSC and the Trans-Siberian Railway. We are ready for substantial growth."


Vostochny container terminal's throughput rose 56 per cent in the first nine months of 2010 to 178,360 TEU, compared to the previous year. By comparison, the total volume of containers using the Trans-Siberian Railway line grew 31 per cent during the first nine months of last year to 987,675 TEU, according to figures provided by the Coordinating Council on Trans-Siberian Transportation (CCTT).


It added that within this total, Russian traffic accounted for 427,133 TEU, up 14 per cent year on year, while international traffic contributed 280,271 TEU to the total, after volumes grew by 48 per cent.
(Source:http://www.schednet.com)