Study of the transportation on the north-west of Russia

Influence of the new transportation line

Karelia can become an important transport unit in road system of Russia if correctly formed. It is a zone, connecting Russia with the European Community. On the one side it borders on Finland (more than 700 km. of the Russian border with Europe passes within the limits of Karelia), and with another - on the Arkhangelsk region, and through it on Ural and Siberia. Therefore development of the transport formation program of Karelia is necessary within the development of an infrastructure of Northwest of Russia.

Till today transport directions from the North on the South prevailed in Karelia. It as it is considered, historically developed direction. The main transport unit connecting Russia with Europe, was Saint Petersburg. Now the infrastructure of Saint Petersburg is overloaded in view of increasing volumes of transportations through ports of St.-Petersburg.

There are projects of new roads in Karelia, which will allow to create the transport corridors connecting Russia (the Arkhangelsk region, Ural, Siberia) with Europe.

One of such projects is the construction of the "Arkhangelsk corridor". The major stage of this project is the construction of Ledmozero-Kochkoma branch which has allowed to reduce a track from Arkhangelsk up to Finland approximately by 550 km. Together with construction of Karpogory-Vendenga part of the road this project will create the most favorable conditions for transportation of cargoes for the most parts of Russia through Karelia. Taking into account the overloaded St.-Petersburg, it will play the big positive role in development of economy of Russia and will strengthen economic relations with the European union.

Except for neighboring regions, other regions of Russia are also interested in this project. Interest to it has shown even by China which will be connected to Europe overland.

Occurrence of a new route for transportation of cargoes will lead to a competition among routes and operators, representatives of these routes. It will promote development of a competition on transport that should positively affect on the growth of quality of transport services and lead to the further improvement of a transport network.

Except for it the formation of a new transportation line will strengthen a role of Karelia as a transit region in transport system of Russia and help it become its harmonious part.

Conclusions

There is a huge potential for use of the new transportation line as the basic transportation rout for cargoes to the European countries from such regions of Russia as Karelia, Murmansk area, the Arkhangelsk area, etc.

It is proved by a positive background of economic development: in 2004 planned growth of manufacture of a timber industry complex of Karelia is about 10 %, in the mining industry by 2010 growth on 150-200 % is predicted.

Necessary condition for realization of this potential is alignment of tariffs for rail transportation: internal and export transportations.

In this conditions the basic clients of a new transportation line can become firms for which the distance to the Russian ports is much more than distance to ports of Finland. It considerably limits number of clients of a new transportation line and volumes of transportations by it.

Such alignment of tariffs due to increase in internal tariffs is impossible now as it will negatively affect on the Russian enterprises in which the share of transport expenses reaches 65%. Reduction of tariffs for export transportations is probable. It will considerably strengthen competitiveness of a new transportation line.

The exception is winter time when navigation in ports of Karelia, the Arkhangelsk area and Saint Petersburg is limited or stopped completely and cost of transportations is much higher (approximately in 1,5 -1,7 times). Then cost of transportations on alternative Russian routes becomes much higher and the new transportation line can compete them.

In a view of reforming of the Russian railway, it is necessary to expect the further decision of the question connected to an inequality of tariffs for transportations. The variant of alignment of all tariffs for transportations is considered. Except for it, reform is directed on development of a competition on the railway that should lead to reduction of the prices and increase of a role of companies-operators.