GCS/Ruscon starts Ust-Luga-Nizhniy Novgorod block box train service

GCS/RUSCON, a logistics-intermodal operator and part of the GCS transportation group, has commenced a new block train service that operates to and from the Ust-Luga Container Terminal (ULCT).

The new regular service is expected to move 800 FEU per month over a distance of 1,100 kilometres to Nizhniy Novgorod, which is Russia's fifth largest city 400 kilometres to the east of Moscow.

The trains serve General Motors Korea and Russian motor manufacturer GAZ to assemble the Chevrolet Aveo model. However, GCS is also offering capacity on the trains to third parties.

Production of the cars began in December last year and the manufacturer is planning to assemble 32,000 cars per annum.

Ruscon loaded two pilot trains at ULCT at the beginning of December, transporting CKD parts that were shipped by GM Korea. In total 118 containers were delivered to the new assembly plant in Nizhniy Novgorod, including 54 FEU and two TEU were carried on the first train and 60 FEU and 2 TEU on the second train.

The service provider uses its own flatcars to form the trains and recently set up an office in Ust-Luga. In addition to railway transportation, it is taking care of port and customs transit formalities for this project, while ocean transportation to ULCT is arranged by Maersk Line.