OREANDA-NEWS. October 13, 2011. BLG LOGISTICS GROUP and FESCO Transportation Group announce today the creation of a joint venture company to develop integrated logistics solutions for automotive industry in Russia. The initial amount of investments to the project is 10 mln Euros. The new company will include port handling operation for vehicles in St.-Petersburg in cooperation with the JSC Sea Port of St. Petersburg, with current total area of 95,000 sq.m. and the projected annual volume of 60,000 units in 2011, as well as a truck operation with the fleet of 31 motor vehicle trailers.

The Shareholders Agreement was signed today by Sergey Generalov, President and CEO of FESCO Transportation Group, and Detthold Aden, Chairman of the Management Board of BLG LOGISTICS GROUP AG & Co. KG.

Both companies share the belief in significant growth potential of the Russian car market, which is forecasted to grow at an average rate of 15% per year to become soon the biggest car market in Europe by number of units.

“I have no doubts that our joint efforts with BLG will enable us to offer clients attractive automotive logistics services, supporting our ambitions to develop this joint venture in one of the leading players on the Russian market within the next 5 years, combining sea transportation and port handling of vehicles in the European part of Russia and in the Far-East with rail and truck transportation of both imported and locally assembled cars”, says Sergey Generalov.

Detthold Aden adds that “…the combination of FESCO’s deep knowledge of the local market, diversified portfolio of assets and services across the country, as well as strive for innovation make them a perfect match to BLG’s strong positions in Europe to Russia trade, existing presence in Russia, as well as our experience in organizing automotive logistics in international markets.”