OREANDA-NEWS. December 16, 2009. In 8 months of the year 2009 (March 25th through December 1st) cargo fleet of Volga Shipping delivered 4.6 mln tons of cargoes, which is 30% below previous year results.

Despite a drop in the inland freight traffic volumes, Volga Shipping exceeded the major business targets for cargo operations in 2009 set in its business plan – due to an increase in high tariff export cargo traffic this year.

In the overall volume of cargo deliveries, the export cargo transportations grew considerably and came to 74% (3.4 mln tons), whereas inland cargo transportations dropped to 26% (1.2 mln tons). In 2008, the ratio was 34% and 66% respectively.

The total volume of inland transportations amounted to 4.5 mln tons of cargo, which is 18% below the previous year indices. This is related to a major setback in cargo transportation orders volumes resulted from the economic crisis.

In 2009, the major cargoes for inland deliveries were metals (1.4 mln tons – 2 times above the year 2008), sulfur (1.1 mln tons or + 49,3 %), and mineral fertilizers (0.65 mln tons).

In the non-navigation period – winter season – Volga Shipping traditionally switches to winter operating regime. During this season, Volga Shipping runs high ship repair expenses. This year, the company’s leaders consider attracting a short-term credit to finance winter fleet repairs.