GRAMPET Group – Grup Feroviar Român and NMSC Kazmortransflot LLP sign Memorandum of Partnership
The two members of Middle Corridor aim at opening a new connection between Constanta and Batumi ports
Munich, June 6, 2019 – GRAMPET Group – Grup Feroviar Roman (GFR) and NMSC Kazmortransflot LLP have signed a Memorandum of Partnership during the Transport Logistics 2019 event in Munich, with an aim to open a regular connection between the Constanta and Batumi Ports.
The agreement between the two members of Middle Corridor – Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR) stands in line with the Association’s objective to enhance cooperation and increase the flow of goods along the Route.
From left to right – Rakhmetolla Kudaibergenov, Secretar General, Middle Corridor; Sorin Chinde, Vice Presedinte GRAMPET Group – Grup Feroviar Roman; Leila Batyrbekova, Secretar General Adjunct, Middle Corridor; Nurtas Shmanov, Senior Vice-President of JSC NC “KazMunayGas” Oil Transportation; Martin Voetmann, Manager Commercial issues Portul Aktau.
NMSC Kazmortransflot LLP, the National Sea Carrier of the Republic of Kazakhstan, owns the largest and most modern fleet in the Caspian Sea – tanker, tugboats, as well as vessels for transportation of bulky cargo and barges for various purposes.
GRAMPET Group – Grup Feroviar Roman is the largest private rail freight and logistics operator in Romania and Central and South Eastern Europe, and the first European company to have joined the Middle Corridor – Trans Caspian International Transport Route, last September.
“The agreement signed today confirms our strong commitment to this strategic alliance that creates a new route between China and the European Union”, said Gruia Stoica, President of GRAMPET Group. “As we celebrate 20 years of pioneering and performance in rail freight & logistics in South Eastern Europe, we continue our network development on the European market, while pursuing new opportunities with our Asian partners.”
Sorin Chinde, Vice President of the Transports division, added: “There are many synergies and opportunities between the two ports, considering their strategic location on the route of major transport infrastructure projects, as well as the development potential for the long term”.
The Batumi Port has a capacity of 18 million tons per year, 5 terminals and 11 berths. Investments in the port’s development amounted to USD 48 million over the past 10 years.
Constantza Port has a handling capacity of over 100 million tons per year and 156 berths, while investments have hit record highs in recent years and new projects worth a total EUR 1 billion have been announced recently.
With a declared objective to connect the Atlantic Ocean through the North Sea, to the Pacific, through the South China Sea, GRAMPET Group – Grup Feroviar Roman is one of the main drivers for the development of transport corridors which connect Europe and Asia.
The Group is strategically designed to span the entire chain of rail transport solutions and products, thus offering clients an integrated experience at the highest level of competence: freight railway transport, building, repairs and upgrading of rolling stock, spare parts production, lease of rolling stock, freight transhipment, logistic services, as well as innovative IT solutions for railway operators.