Business Watch
German logistics company DB Schenker has launched a block train service from Leipzig to Shenyang in China via the TransSiberian Railway. The cargo is auto parts for the BMW production site in the Liaoning province.
A recent train with 40 containers that left on September 29 was the fourth one in the service which will become daily from late November. It will take about three weeks to complete the nearly 11,000-kilometer journey.
The company will seek to attract cargo transshipments and roll out international transportation corridors in Russia, in particular the East-West transport corridor.
RZD subsidiary TransContainer and Deutsche Bahn Schenker Rail have reiterated their commitment of exploring possibilities of forming a joint-venture in Russia to provide logistics services, focused on the automotive industry.
The JV will target the growing need of suppliers and vehicle manufacturers in the Kaluga region for additional logistics services.
The company will provide logistics solutions to both European and Russian car manufacturers and vehicle component manufacturers in the region.
By John Bonar
A jump of up to five times in the price of Chinese rare earth metals since January has spurred the development of alternative supplies from Mongolia, which is rapidly developing a number of joint venture projects with foreign investors. This in turn is creating a boon potential for the Russian Far East port of Vladivostok as the Mongolian minerals will be shipped from there to customers such as South Korea.
The Federal Air Transport Agency of Russia's Ministry of Transport has awarded a certificate to Volga-Dnepr Airlines to perform its own cargo handling at Russian airports. The certificate entitles Volga-Dnepr Airlines to handle and load various types of cargo at Russian airports without the need to use external agencies.
The move will enable Volga-Dnepr to increase its aircraft operating efficiency by reducing both ground time and transportation costs for domestic and international services.