SOLVO Outlines Key Russian Maritime Industry Issues at 'Morskoy Business of the Northwest' Event

On January 25, 2018, SOLVO took part at a special business breakfast hosted by the “Morskoy Business of the Northwest” magazine. Representatives from various segments of Russia’s maritime industry convened to discuss project development and trends for the current year.

The event was held at the Grand Hotel Emerald in Saint Petersburg, Russia.

Among the participants were representatives from such companies as Ust-Luga Transshipment Complex, Baltic Trans, Tranzas, as well as representatives from non-profit organizations.

According to the participants, the maritime industry needs to update and realize the Transportation strategy of the Russian Federation, including the maritime transport segment, in accordance with current economic conditions.

Another pressing issue at the moment, as noted by the participants, is the quality of passed laws on the federal level and secondary legislation. Many experts agree that relevant and necessary legislation, which would help the maritime industry, are frequently accompanies by a large number of secondary laws that tend to slow down the enforcement and realization of these laws.

SOLVO business director Maxim Maximov shared his views at the business breakfast, stating:

“Transshipment via Russian ports is growing but the situation is far from perfect: there is an excess of port capacity, high competitiveness, terminals are frequently idle. Today, the large majority of big container terminals in Russia are using IT-systems, many of which from SOLVO, and there isn’t much demand for developing new facilities. This is why many IT-companies are choosing to enter foreign markets, but this can be very difficult due to political issues. On one hand, international sanctions and Russia’s pivot towards substituting imports helped us secure several new contracts on the Russian market; on the other hand, the same sanctions are hindering expansion into foreign markets. Nevertheless, thanks to the efforts over the past two years of our official distributor on the international market, Solvo Europe B.V., we obtained clients in Wetern Europe and in the Middle East. Unfortunately, the political climate is preventing us from realizing many other international projects. I hope that in the situation will change for the better in the near future.”

For a more detailed report about the event, see the 50th edition of the “Morskoy Business of the Northwest” magazine.