Business programme

Seaport Turn: From West to East?

15 Jun , 11:00–12:15
The World Economy at a Global Turning Point
Congress Centre, zone B, 2nd floor, conference hall B1

The geopolitical situation in 2022 brought about changes to traditional cargo transportation routes. Cargo flows, which previously passed through ports in Russia's Northwest, were redirected to the country's Far East. By the end of 2022, container exports through St. Petersburg ports had experienced a decline of 72% and imports dropped by 60% compared to 2021. Meanwhile, in the Far East, exports saw a rise of 36%, and imports grew by 13%. Today, the lack of infrastructure in the east stands as a pressing issue for all players in the Russian transport market. It is also crucial that some of Russia's trade volume return to the ports in the northwest, which can be achieved through the launch of new alternative services from "friendly" countries, such as routes through the Suez Canal from China and India to ports in St. Petersburg. Additionally, as traffic volume continues to grow, the Northern Sea Route has a greater potential of becoming a fully-fledged transport artery for container cargo. Given the growing cargo traffic, is it necessary to implement additional technological solutions, such as infrastructure development projects and the introduction of new digital services, in the Far East? Is there a need for further state support to aid Russian shipping companies in acquiring vessels and containers, as well as to stimulate the growth of cargo turnover at ports in the northwest? Will the Northern Sea Route be able to alleviate the burden on the route through the Russian Far East? What projects are currently in place to attract container cargo flows to the Northern Sea Route?

Moderator
Alexandra Suvorova, Anchor, Russia 24 TV Channel

Panellists
Ruslan Davydov, Acting Head, Federal Customs Service of Russia
Ekaterina Lyakhova, Director for Business Development, The State Atomic Energy Corporation ROSATOM
Dmitry Pankov, General Director, Delo Management Company
Andrey Severilov, Chairman of the Board, FESCO
Alexey Chekunkov, Minister of the Russian Federation for the Development of the Far East and the Arctic
Ilya Shestakov, Head, Federal Agency for Fisheries (Rosrybolovstvo)
Aleksey Shilo, Deputy Managing Director, Head, Centre for Corporate Transport Services (CFTO), Russian Railways

Front row participants
Raj Jit Singh Wallia, Chief Executive Officer, Managing Director, DP World Central Asia
Nikolay Ivanov, Vice-President for the Implementation of State Programmes, Sustainable Development and Forest Policy, Segezha Group
Pavel Lyakhovich, Member of the Management Board, Executive Director, SIBUR LLC

Broadcast