OREANDA-NEWS. December 30, 2009. In 2009 the volume of freight traffic by the Group of Companies "Azov-Don Shipping Company" according to year-end figures has increased by 30% - to more than 2 million tons compared with last year. The growth in the crisis year was due to realization of investment projects and favorable weather, which allowed extending the navigation period to mid-December, the company’s report reads.

The development of new freight traffic has also contributed to the success. In July ADSC signed a contract with Siberian Business Union company, one of the top four biggest coal exporters. As part of providing integrated logistics services, in November ADSC began cooperation with "Mechel" company for the transportation of metal from Kambarka port to Braila port with transshipment of cargo at transit ports. The AD shipping company has started industrial equipment transportation to the ports of the Caspian Sea.

All branches of the Group of Companies have shown positive financial results, the report reads. The company did not cancel its investment projects initiated earlier in spite of the crisis, implementing a large-scale fleet upgrade. Three of the five planned ships a "Siberian" class, and eight vessels of "Volga-Don" have been purchased by the company. The fleet upgrading project includes twenty ships. As a result total deadweight of the company to grow by 105 thousand tons. Most of the acquired vessels is registered in Russian International Register of Ships.

The Group of Companies "Azov-Don Shipping Company” was established in 2002. It incorporates over 20 shipping companies, including four shipping companies, four ports, multiple dockyards, agency, service and freight forwarding company.