INSTC gears up

INSTC GEARING UP

Recent and planned investments look to achieve the more eff ective operation of the fl edgling International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC). Oleksandr Gavrylyuk charts the progress

On 26 October 2021, Astrakhan Seaport, Russia’s key harbour operator on the Caspian Sea, and the Iranian Caspian port of Astara signed a Memorandum of Understanding, aiming to expand the cargo traffi c volume within the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC).

The INSTC concept was first set out back in the 1990s, as an alternative to the traditional transoceanic routes from Europe to Asia via the Suez Canal.

The new multimodal corridor extends for about 7,200 km from the Gulf of Finland to the Russian Caspian shore and then through Iran to India.

It was believed at the time of its conception that using the combination of maritime, rail and motor transports, INSTC would be able to first halve the duration of the transoceanic routes, from 40 to 20 days, and then to reduce the journey time to 14 days.

In 2002, Moscow, Tehran and New Delhi became the founding members of the project, having officially committed to jointly develop the corridor. Subsequently, nearly all of the South Caucasian and Central Asian countries have, on separate occasions, joined the INSTC. As a result, there are now three main schemes to either overpass or bypass the Caspian Sea. One of them runs across the sea from its northern to southern coast, while the two others stretch along its western and eastern shores, transiting through either Azerbaijan or Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan respectively.

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

In June this year, Russian Railways and Finnish logistics operator Nurminen Services tested the western direction, having railed containerised paper from Finland’s Vuosaari to Iran’s Astara. From here it was delivered to the Persian Gulf port of Bandar Abbas and then shipped to Mumbai, India.

While the Western and Eastern initiatives have already seen construction of missing rail links and launch of pilot train services, the progress under the Trans-Caspian (sea) route has long remained far from the mark principally due to the lack of up-to-date container handling infrastructure on the Russian Caspian littoral. This situation, however, is now changing. In late August this year, Kaspiy Dock and Logistics Company, set up in 2019, became the anchor tenant of the 644 ha-large portcategory special economic zone (PSEZ) established at Astrakhan’s outer harbour of Olya in November 2020.

Kaspiy and its German partner, Martrade Group, reportedly intend to invest up to US$350 million to develop Olay’s handling facilities, which will eventually be integrated into the INSTC. Russia’s central authorities are reportedly going to earmark some $140 million for the project from the federal budget.

The investors are going to start with the rearrangement of existing berths Nos. 8 and 9, in order to expand their aggregate annual handling capacity to three million tonnes per annum by 2023, according to Oleg Savchenko, Director General, Kaspiy.

The project’s next stage will involve construction of a state-of-the-art container hub on a 250 ha-large land plot some seven kilometres south of Olya by 2026. The harbour’s overall handling capacity, according to Hamburg Port Consulting (HPC), is targeted to reach eight and 19 million tonnes by 2031 and 2050, respectively. This is clearly ambitious – overall the Astrakhan region’s port operators handled no more than just three million tonnes last year.

The development of the Trans-Caspian route additionally foresees the design and construction of new multipurpose container and bulk carriers at a locally based shipyard.

With this in mind, it is proposed to merge the Olya PSEZ with Lotus, the special industrial economic zone established in the Astrakhan region in November 2014. Since Lotus features shipbuilding and other production plants, such a synergy is designed to evolve into a powerful intersectoral cluster, which will boost infrastructure development throughout the entire northern Caspian coast, according to Sergey Milushkin, Director General, Lotus.

Meanwhile, Iran’s Khazar Sea Shipping Lines (KSSL) has already connected the nation’s Caspian harbours with those of Russia and Kazakhstan via six freight-shipping services. Launched on 23 October 2021, KSSL is planning to increase the service programme to eight services by the end of the current Iranian year (21 March 2022). Additionally, Tehran is known to be considering the integration of its new port of Chabahar into the INSTC. Iran’s closest point to the Indian Ocean, this would open up the shortest sea-lane to Mumbai.

Being easily accessible from India’s western coast, Chabahar will also be able to provide India with strategic links to both Europe and Central Asia. This reality underpins the reason why New Delhi is the principal developer of Chabahar, phase one which was inaugurated in December 2017.

Chabahar has already joined the nation’s Caspian ports in signing cooperation agreements with Lotus and is accordingly interested in handling containers, metals, timber, fertilisers, sulphur, grain, vegetable oil and other cargoes though the Trans-Caspian route, according to Milushkin.

Increasingly, the system components to achieve the effective operation of the INSTC are being assembled. Milushkin, however, proffers the view that the effective realisation of the project will only happen when Moscow, Tehran and New Delhi combine their efforts to form a single route operator, create attractive tariff conditions, simplify customs procedures, introduce electronic information exchange and eliminate other trade barriers. This though, can only happen, when the political climate allows.

8 Tehran is known

to be considering the integration of the port of Chabahar into the INSTC

Bedeschi S.p.A

For more than a century, Bedeschi is providing effective and reliable solutions in a wide variety of industries (bulk handling, marine logistics and mining), capitalizing on synergies and cross competences. Via Praimbole 38, 35010 Limena (PD) – Italy

Tel: : +39 049 7663100 Fax: +39 049 8848006 Email: sales@bedeschi.com Web: www.bedeschi.com B ULK HANDLING

SAMSON Materials Handling Ltd specialises in the design and manufacture of mobile bulk materials handling equipment for surface installation across multiple industrial segments. Designed for rapid onsite set-up and continuous high performance SAMSON equipment provides an excellent return on investment. Gemini House Cambridgeshire Business Park, 1 Bartholomew’s Walk, Ely Cambridgeshire CB7 4EA England, United Kingdom (UK)

Tel: +44 1353 665001 Fax: +44 1353 666734 sales@samson-mh.com www.samson-mh.com C ARGO HANDLING SYSTEMS

LASE Industrielle Lasertechnik GmbH

LASE offers innovative and productive solutions for ports by combining state-of-the-art laser scanner devices and sophisticated software applications. We are specialised in the fully automated handling of containers, cranes or trucks. Rudolf-Diesel-Str 111 D-46485 Wesel, Germany

Tel: +49 (0) 281 - 9 59 90 - 0 info@lase.de www.lase.de D REDGING

Rohde Nielsen A/S

Specialising in capital and maintenance dredging, land reclamation, coast protection, Port Development, Filling of Caissons, Sand and Gravel, Offshore trenching and backfilling Nyhavn 20 Copenhagen K. DK-1051 Denmark +45 33 91 25 07 mail@rohde-nielsen.dk www.rohde-nielsen.dk

The BEUMER Group is an international leader in the manufacture of bulk material handling systems:

Overland Conveyor Pipe Conveyor Stacker & Reclaimer Shiploader

Tel.: +49 2521 240 E-mail: info@beumer.com Web: www.beumer.com

Telestack are a leading global manufacturer of equipment for the bulk material handling industry including Ship Loaders/Unloaders, Hopper Feeders, Truck Unloaders, Bulk Reception Feeders, Stockpiling Conveyors, Link Conveyors and Telescopic Stackers. Tel: +44 (0)2882 251100 Email: sales@telestack.com www.telestack.comw

#WeHaveTonnesToTellYouAbout C OMPONENTS

P4.1 e-chain® Energy chain with optional intelligent wear monitoring for double the service life, travels of up to 1.000 m, speeds of up to 10 m/s and fill weights of up to 50 kg/m. igus® GmbH Spicher Str. 1a D-51147 Köln, Germany Tel. +49-2203-9649-0 info@igus.eu igus.eu/P4.1

To advertise in the Port Strategy Directory

Contact Tim Hills or Hannah Bolland

+44 1329 825335 www.portstrategy.com

Beumer Dir C ARGO HANDLING EQUIPMENTA/S Cimbria Cimbria is a global leader in the conveying, drying, processing, sorting and storage of grains, seeds, food and bulk products. Cimbria designs, manufactures and services customized high-tech solutions, from stand-alone machines to large turnkey plants. Our broad experience ensures our clients the targeted advice and range of solutions they need to grow their business. ectory Jan 2021.indd 1 27/01/2021 11:29 Over 60 years supporting Container Terminals in port operations: we create strategic STS Portainer® and RTG Transtainer® cranes, services & Advanced Port Technologies. PACECO® CORP. World Headquarters 25503 Whitesell Street Telestack Directory June 2021.indd 1 26/05/2021 As one of the leading manufacturers of quick connector systems,Stäubli covers connection needs for all types of fluids, gases and electrical power. Tel: +33 4 50 65 61 97 C ONNECTION SOLUTIONS 12:20 Faartoftvej 22 7700 Thisted, Denmark Tel: 0045 96 17 90 00 cimbria.holding@agcocorp.com www.cimbria.com Hayward, CA 94545 Tel (510) 264-9288 email@pacecocorp.com www.pacecocorp.com connectors.sales@staubli.com www.staubli.com/en-de/ connectors/

Cimbria Directory.indd 1 14/07/2020 10:56

NEUERO Industrietechnik GmbH

Specialist for pneumatic ship unloaders and mechanical ship loader. NEUERO follows the MADE IN GERMANY quality tradition. Now with more than100 years of tradition in the manufacture of reliable and high-quality conveyor systems worldwide. Email: neuero@neuero.de Tel: +49 5422 9 50 30 neuero.de/en/

Staubli _ Directory Mar 2021.indd 1 25/02/2021 15:49

Taylor Machine Works, Inc.

Taylor Machine Works designs, engineers, and manufactures more than 100 models of industrial lift equipment with lift capacities from ,000-lbs. to 125,000-lbs. YOU CAN DEPEND ON BIG RED! 3690 N Church Avenue

Louisville, MS 39339 USA

+1 662 773 3421

www.taylorbigred.com E LECTRIFICATION SOLUTIONS

VAHLE PORT TECHNOLOGY

VAHLE is the leading specialist for mobile power and data transmission VAHLE provides the solutions to reduce the carbon footprint while increasing the productivity. RTGC electrification including positioning and data transmission making RTGC ready for Automation.

Westicker Str. 52, 59174 Kamen, Germany Email: port-technology@vahle.de Web: www.vahle.com

Fogmaker develops, manufactures, and markets fi re suppression systems for engine compartments with high pressure water mist. Fogmaker is a market leader for automated fi re suppression systems with 200,000 installations in more than 50 countries since 1995.

Tel: +46 470 77 22 00 info@fogmaker.com www.fogmaker.com

To advertise in the Port Strategy Directory

Contact Tim Hills or Hannah Bolland

+44 1329 825335 www.portstrategy.com

I TPORT AUTOMATION

CAMCO Technologies NV

Visual- and Micro Location- assisted process automation solutions for container, ro-ro and rail terminals worldwide. Accurate crane, gate & rail OCR systems and Gate Operating System software helping terminals accelerate terminal and gate activity. Technologielaan 13 Leuven, Belgium

+32-16-38-9272 +32-16-38 9274 info@camco.be www.camco.be M ARINE FENDERS

IRMOME is the world’s most preferred offshore and marine rubber engineering products manufacturing company. With products ranging from Marine fenders, Offshore installation aids to products for the Foundation of offshore wind. Phone : +919727738429 E-mail : Info@irmome.com Website : www.irmome.com

G

Fog RABSmaker Directory.indd 1

MRS Greifer GmbH

Grabs of MRS Greifer are in use all over the world. They are working reliably and extremely solid. All our grabs will be made customized. Besides the production of rope operated mechanical grabs, motor grabs and hydraulic grabs we supply an excellent after sales service.

H

01/02/2021 ANDLING EQUIPMENT 13:12

Talweg 15-17, Helmstadt-Bargen 74921, Germany Tel: +49 (0)7263 - 91 29 0 Fax: +49 (0)7263 - 91 29 12 info@mrs-greifer.de www.mrs-greifer.de

IRM Directory July-Aug 2021.indd 1 30/06/2021 14:24

Camco ID June 2021.indd 1 19/05/2021 14:16

Künz GmbH

Founded in 1932, Künz is now the market leader in intermodal rail-mounted gantry cranes in Europe and North America, offering innovative and efficient solutions for container handling in intermodal operation and automated stacking cranes for port and railyard operations. Gerbestr. 15, 6971 Hard, Austria T: +43 5574 6883 0 sales@kuenz.com www.kuenz.com

RuggON is here to offer high quality and future-proof one-stop rugged computing solutions, ranging from rugged vehicle-mount computers, mobile tablets and data terminals, to similarly durable data-capture accessories, for a safer and more efficient automated port and terminal operations from quay, yard, gate, and all the way to warehouses.

4F., No. 298, Yangguang St., NeiHu Dist., Taipei, Taiwan +886-2-8797-1778

To advertise in the Port Strategy Directory

Contact Tim Hills or Hannah Bolland

+44 1329 825335 www.portstrategy.com

Orts GMBH Maschinenfabrik

Over 40 years experience constructing and manufacturing a wide range of grabs, including electro-hydraulic grabs (with the necessary crane equipment) radio controlled diesel hydraulic grabs, 4, 2 and single rope grabs all suitable for bulk cargo. Schwartauer Str. 99 D-23611 Sereetz • Germany Tel:+49 451 398 850 Fax: +49 451 392 374 soj@orts-gmbh.de www.orts-grabs.de

To advertise in the Port Strategy Directory

Contact Tim Hills or Hannah Bolland

P

VISYOy VISY takes pride in solving operational problems, specialising in gate automation and access control solutions in ports and terminals. Their solutions streamline processes resulting in saving money and increasing productivity. Visy systems reduce expenses, optimize safety & security, and increase throughput capacity via process automation. Our singleplatform gate operating system and OCR solutions manage all cargo, assets & personnel movements via quay, rail or road to keep operations moving. OWER TRANSMISSION

Tel: +358 3 211 0403 Email: sales@visy.fi Web: www.visy.fi/

RuggON _ Directory_ 40x58.indd 1 20/01/2021 10:50

+44 1329 825335 www.portstrategy.com

Conductix-Wampfler

The world specialist in Power and Data Transfer Systems, Mobile Electrification, and Crane Electrification Solutions. We Keep Your Vital Business Moving! Rheinstrasse 27 + 33 Weil am Rhein 79576 Germany Tel: +49 (0) 7621 662 0 Fax: +49 (0) 7621 662 144 info.de@conductix.com www.conductix.com

I NSURANCE

To advertise in the

Port Strategy Directory

Contact Tim Hills or Hannah Bolland

+44 1329 825335 www.portstrategy.com

S IDELIFTER/SIDELOADER

Hammar Maskin AB

Hammar Maskin AB is developing, manufacturing and marketing Sideloaders, also known as Sidelifters, Swinglifters or Self loading trailers, under the brand name HAMMAR™. Buagärde 36, Olsfors 517 95 Sweden Tel: +46-33 29 00 00 Fax: +46-33 29 00 01 info@hammar.eu www.hammar.eu