OREANDA-NEWS. April 28, 2010. Consistent implementation of synergies between FESCO business units, combined with ongoing restoration of trade volumes, enabled the Group not only to significantly improve operating performance in Q1, 2010 compared with the same period of 2009, but to exceed pre-crisis level of 2008 in selected segments.

Volume of sea container shipping increased by 22%, amounting to 76,671 TEU, versus 62,422 TEU in the previous year. Intermodal volumes grew by 126% to reach 6,728 TEU, against 2,976 TEU in the 1st quarter of 2009. The volume of freight forwarding services amounted to 14,535 TEU, a 26% increase over the previous year (11,504 TEU). Reefer cargo transportation increased by 12 %, reaching 9,843 TEU.

Railway turnover of industrial goods increased by 48% and amounted to 7.6 billion ton-kilometers. The rail container volumes spurred by 130% to 42,378 TEU.

The volume of container handling in NCC terminals (FCT and NUTEP) amounted to 295,125 TEU, which is 31% more than in the previous period. Vladivostok Container Terminal increased its volumes to 62,215 TEU, showing a 48% boost over Q1 2009 volumes. Growth in break-bulk cargo handling by Vladivostok Commercial Sea Port increased by 63%, to reach 1.8 mln. tons against 1.1 mln. tons in 2009.

According to FESCO Vice-President for Corporate Communications Stanislav Vartanyan, "the key element of the Company’s strategy is to ensure efficient and responsible use of financial and operational resources. A prudent financial policy, combined with substantial achievements in improving operating efficiency, helped us to overcome the most difficult period of 2009, not only preserving, but in many cases increasing our market share. Today it enables FESCO to benefit fully from obvious economic recovery and growing trade volumes".