The terminal, a key Baltic export route for Russian fuel oil, handled more than 12 million metric tonnes (mt) of product, according to company sources. They said throughput was 200,000 mt higher than in 2008.
The figures were largely in line with predictions by Igor Teleshev, CEO of POT, earlier this month. Latest reports said 2009 fuel oil transshipments at the terminal were expected to top 9 million mt, up from 8.4 million mt a year earlier.
Observers told Russian media the record turnover was “due to favorable world market for oil products” and “optimization” of logistics at the port. Product is shipped to the POT by rail, pipeline and river transport from Russian refineries.
It handles ‘light and dark oil products’ intended for export and bunkering. Teleshev has said he expects volumes to climb in 2010. “In 2010, with very good circumstances, we will be able to beat another record,” he said. He also suggested the terminal would expand storage capacity for fuel oil if plans to transship vacuum gasoil fell through.