Press Center

During the breaks between matches of the Football National League the athletes visited the grain and container terminals, as well as the tugboats of the Delo Group’s service company.

The company’s employees briefed the athletes on the history of the Group’s establishment, the specifics of operations and implementation of DeloPorts’ investment projects. The footballers observed the loading processes at the berths, the work of heavy machinery and tugboats.

“The visit of the Chernomorets football club to our terminals proves the interconnection between sports and business, when teamwork and striving for new heights stand in the first place. I expect that the example of the port workers will inspire the athletes to new accomplishments both on and off the pitch,” said Igor Yakovenko, General Director of DeloPorts.

“Above all, we are grateful for the unique opportunity to dive into the work environment at the port. The visit to DeloPorts’ terminals provided a glimpse of the impressive scale of the company, and allowed us to greatly appreciate the interaction and coherence of the employees at the berths. I believe that our athletes used this visit as an opportunity both to learn new things and also to appreciate the volume and efforts of investors in our work”, — said Maxim Ponomarev, General Director of Chernomorets Football Club.

FC Chernomorets was founded in 1907 under the name Olimpia. From 1992 to 2001, Chernomorets played in the Premier League. The sixth place in the 2000 season allowed the club to compete in the UEFA Cup of 2001/02. In 2002, Chernomorets was relegated and returned a year later. The 2003 season was the last for the club in the Russian elite. Since 2012, the team has been playing in Group 1 of the Professional Football League (PFL) Championship. In 2022, Delo Group became a sponsor of Chernomorets, and in 2023 the team returned to the First League.

According to the agency's assessment, the AA.ru rating means a very strong financial reliability and insignificant sensitivity to negative scenarios of operational environment changes.

NCR agency in its release highlighted strong market positions, business growth potential, high margin of safety on debt servicing and strong profitability indicators with moderately low debt load. The agency assessed the level of corporate governance development as high, and shareholder risks as low.

According to the agency, the company has a long-term positive credit history and positive payment discipline: on payment of obligations under accounts payable, on tax payments to the budget and off-budget funds, and on payment of salaries to employees.

"A high external assessment of DeloPorts' credit rating will allow the company to increase investor interest in our bond issues and expand their list. We continue to improve the efficiency of borrowed funds as part of our investment program aimed at further business growth and increasing the quality of services,” said Elena Svirina, Deputy General Director for Finance and Sustainable Development of Delo Group.

Grain transshipment at KSC terminal in Q3 2024 grew by 15.0% YoY to 2.6 million tons. For 9 months, the transshipment volume increased by 20.1% YoY to 7.6 million tons. With grain exports on the rise, the terminal's unique infrastructure is in high demand, and transshipment growth was driven by the systematic implementation of investment and operational efficiency projects implemented over the past few years.

NUTEP terminal increased container turnover by 3.6% YoY to 126 thousand TEU in Q3 2024. At the end of 9 months, container turnover remained at the high level of 2023 and reached 453 thousand TEU (-1.6% YoY). The dynamics of the terminal's container turnover in 2024 was influenced by modernization works and delivery of new equipment to ensure a higher degree of service and further growth of cargo turnover in the future.

"The well-timed implementation of investment projects has allowed DeloPorts to strengthen its market position in the fast-changing environment in 2024, but also over the past few years to become a firm leader in container and grain transshipment in the Russian Federation. We recognize the longer-term potential of the market and intend to keep increasing capacity and offering our customers top-class service in integration with other assets of Delo Group,” said Igor Yakovenko, CEO of DeloPorts.

DeloPorts' consolidated results:

 Rounding adjustments have been made in calculating the operating data included in this release. As a result, the numbers and percentages shown in the table may not correspond to exact arithmetic sums.

 

	Q3 2024	Q3 2023	Change		9М 2024	9М 2023	Change
			Abs	%			Abs	%
Maritime container turnover
NUTEP (thousand TEU)	126	121	5	3,6%	453	460	-7	-1,6%
Marine cargo turnover of non-containerized cargoes
KSK (grain, mln tons)	2,6	2,3	0,3	15,0%	7,6	6,3	1,3	20,1%

 

 

Company background

Delo Group (Delo Group of Companies) is a Russian transportation and logistics holding company founded in 1993. It is a leader in marine transshipment and railway transportation of containers, as well as deep-sea grain transshipment in Russia. Companies of the Group provide cargo delivery across all stages of the multimodal transportation chain in both domestic and cross-border traffic. The Group operates 9 marine terminals and 47 inland terminals. The total capacity of the marine terminals is 3.9 million TEU and 9 million tons of grain per year, and 3.7 million TEU per year of the inland terminals. The Group operates a fleet of 41,000 fitting platforms and containers with a total capacity of 230,000 TEU, as well as its own fleet.

The construction work will be carried out with no interruption to the operating cycle and is scheduled for completion by the end of 2027.

The reconstruction will lengthen the berth front and create additional storage areas. After reconstruction, the berth length will increase from 390 to 600 meters, the berth storage capacity will grow from 3,080 to 4,830 TEU, and the area will increase from 4 to 6.4 hectares. 

Deep-water berth No. 38, which is unique for the South of Russia, was commissioned in 2019. It enabled the terminal's throughput capacity to be doubled to 700,000 TEU. Total investment in the project amounted to $125 million.

“The extension of berth No.38 and, hence, the increase in the capacity of the container terminal will not only enable us to deliver a higher quality service to customers in the face of growing demand, but to form a safety margin for the future as well,” said DeloPorts CEO Igor Yakovenko. 

NUTEP was established in 1994, and since 2002 it has become part of Delo Group of Companies. The terminal handles containerized, general and Ro-Ro cargo in the port of Novorossiysk. It is equipped with advanced high-tech equipment and has direct automobile access to the M-4 Don federal highway. Container turnover at the end of 2023 amounted to 602.5 thousand TEU (+ 3.4% vs. 2022).

Starting this year, Delo Group is implementing a program that will enable the grain terminal in Novorossiysk to accept trucked freight via EBLs. Electronic waybills will be issued via mobile and web applications. This streamlines the process, reduces labor costs, and increases the transparency and manageability of operations across all stages of cargo circulation by enabling real-time tracking. As part of the pilot acceptance period, the technology systems of the terminal, consignor, freight forwarder and other process participants proved the reliability and availability of the digital document replacing conventional paper waybills.

"The quality of service for our customers is our paramount priority, and the adoption of digital products enables us to improve the standard of our offerings. Once the testing and finishing of the EBL system is completed, all customers will join it," said Alexander Trukhanovich, General Director of KSK grain terminal in Novorossiysk.

The pilot program on transition to the EBL cargo acceptance is implemented with Port Transit LLC, a technology partner. "Agroindustrial Corporation AST Company M", LLC, acts as an exporter.

This achievement solidified KSK’s leadership in Russia in terms of grain shipment volumes, accounting for 28% of the deep-water ports in the Black Sea basin.

In April 2024, the terminal set an all-time record by exporting 1.03 million tons of grain. No other terminal in the country has yet achieved such volumes. This operational speed was made possible by the consistent implementation of investment and operational efficiency projects over several years.

“Thanks to the professional and efficient work of our team and the timely expansion of KSK’s capacities, our terminal has once again confirmed its leadership and reputation as a reliable partner for Russian exporters. The new season lies ahead, with new goals, and we are committed to maintaining our high service standards”, noted Igor Yakovenko, CEO of DeloPorts.

The Delo Group has been transshipping grain in Novorossiysk since 2007. The KSK terminal was built from scratch, with investments exceeding $500 million. In a short period, it became the largest in the region. The group continuously expands the capacities of its terminals in southern Russia, providing new opportunities for Russian exports. As previously reported by the founder and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Delo Group, Sergey Shishkarev, the throughput capacity of the grain terminal in Novorossiysk will be increased from the current 9 million tons to 10.5 million tons.

 

The 50-ton electro-hydraulic crane is custom-made for Delo Group and is designed to handle all types of containers. It features an electro-hydraulic telescopic spreader and storm securing devices, along with systems for active load control, precise positioning, and collision prevention sensors. The crane has a lifting height of 35 meters, a lowering depth of 15 meters, and a sea jib outreach of 46 meters.

The equipment was delivered by sea in an assembled state. Following commissioning, it will be installed at berth No. 39, joining four other STS cranes produced by ZPMC, two mobile harbor cranes, and two STS cranes by Liebherr at the terminal.

“Delo Group is consistently expanding the capacities of its terminals. The commissioning of this new equipment will increase NUTEP’s quayside capacity by 15% to 805,000 TEUs per year, as well as enhance the terminal’s operational efficiency and reduce loading and unloading times’, noted Igor Yakovenko, CEO of DeloPorts.

The contract for the manufacture and delivery of the crane was signed with ZPMC in December 2021. The new equipment’s customs clearance was handled by Ruscon-Broker, a part of the Delo Group.

As previously reported by Sergey Shishkarev, founder and chairman of the Delo Group’s Board of Directors, the Group has invested nearly 15 billion rubles in the construction and expansion of NUTEP over the 22 years it has owned the terminal. The plans to extend the quay and increase capacities are strategic steps that will meet current demand and create a reserve for the future.

The previous monthly record was set this February when KSK processed 900,010 tons of grain. For the entire 2023, the throughput volume reached 8.2 million tons, marking a 37% increase over 2022.

This rapid pace was made possible by systematic upgrades to the infrastructure and expansion of capacities. Over the past few years, the terminal has increased the intensity of cargo reception, expanded its storage capacities to 220,000 tons, and at the end of 2023, a third ship-loading machine was launched at KSK.

“The record grain throughput is a logical result of the planned development of Delo Group’s grain terminal. Over these years, the facility has developed a sophisticated modern infrastructure that meets the most advanced industry demands. Of course, the foundation of our success is our team of professionals, each dedicated to their work and striving for a collective result. Our record is aimed at supporting long-term growth across the entire grain industry”, noted Igor Yakovenko, CEO of DeloPorts.

Delo Group has been handling grain in Novorossiysk since 2007. The KSK terminal was built from scratch with an investment of over $500 million and quickly became the largest in the region. The group is continually expanding the capacities of its terminals in the south of Russia, creating new opportunities for Russian exports. As previously reported by founder and chairman of the Delo Group board of directors, Sergey Shishkarev, the grain terminal’s capacity in Novorossiysk will be increased from the current 9 million tons to 10.5 million tons.

Now, grain arriving by truck will also be inspected outside the city – in Vladimirovka village. Thanks to this, the terminal will receive grain that has already been checked.

The new lab complements the main laboratory, which continues to work at the terminal. In them, the assessment is carried out on a number of factors, such as weight, moisture, presence of weed impurities, diseases and percentage of damaged grains.

Moreover, a “digital line” was previously arranged for grain trucks to access Novorossiysk, which minimized the load on the city’s road network by suspending vehicle traffic during peak hours and redirecting them to other parking lots.

“Additional grain quality checks outside of Novorossiysk residential areas will reduce the load on the city’s roads, making traffic freer and safer. And high-precision analysis and evaluation of products will significantly reduce the amount of low-quality grain on the market, thus protecting the interests of consumers”, said Igor Yakovenko, CEO of DeloPorts.

KSK grain terminal is the leader in grain transshipment in the Azov-Black Sea basin. Its capacity is 9 million tons per year, the terminal can handle vessels with cargo capacity of 100 thousand tons with draft up to 14.4 m. KSK has its own laboratory for grain quality control. Transshipment volume in 2023 amounted to 8.2 million tons, which is 37% more than in 2022.

This year, the terminal celebrates its 30th anniversary, becoming the most modern container terminal in southern Russia.

Founded in 1994, the NUTEP Public Joint Stock Company became a part of Delo Group in 2002. The group initiated active terminal development, including concrete paving and new equipment acquisition. In 2019, to increase NUTEP’s capacity, deep-water berth No. 38 was commissioned, doubling the terminal’s capacity. Today, NUTEP handles container, bulk, and RoRo cargoes in the Port of Novorossiysk, equipped with advanced technology and direct road access via the M-4 “Don” federal highway.

“Our container terminal’s development in the south is an example of achieving more by pursuing goals confidently and boldly. Delo Group has invested nearly 15 billion rubles in NUTEP’s construction and expansion over 22 years, processing 5.5 million TEUs and welcoming 6,300 vessel calls. NUTEP transformed from a small local terminal into a leading container transshipment company in southern Russia. We are committed to continually developing our assets to provide the country with reliable foreign trade logistics”, said Sergey Shishkarev, Chairman of the Board of Directors and founder of Delo Group.

In 2023, the terminal handled a record 602,500 TEUs, 3.4% more than in 2022, with a monthly record set in March 2023 at 70,100 TEUs, 6% above the previous achievement in January 2023. In 2022, NUTEP set its own record by simultaneously processing five container ships at its berths. The largest vessel processed in its history was a container ship 299.9 meters long with a capacity of 7,114 TEUs.

Delo Group continues to develop the terminal, with plans to extend the berth and increase capacities being strategic steps to meet current demand and create future reserves.

Experts evaluated the terminal based on the volume and dynamics of cargo turnover, customer service, the range of services provided, financial performance, and investments.

Moreover, KSK grain terminal was awarded the best maritime stevedoring company in Rosmorrechflot’s “Industry Leader” contest. Held since 2013 among Russian commercial organizations in maritime and river transport, the contest features 17 categories.

“The achievements of Delo Group’s terminals have been recognized by the industry community, as evidenced by KSK terminal’s victory. We plan to expand the terminal’s capacity to 10.5 million tons, improve infrastructure and services, continuing to provide the best conditions for our clients”, noted Igor Yakovenko, CEO of DeloPorts.

Since 2006, when the KSK terminal was built from scratch, Delo Group has been handling grain transshipment in Novorossiysk. Over $500 million has been invested in its development, quickly making it the largest in the region. Last year, grain transshipment for export reached a record 8.2 million tons, 37% more than the same period the previous year. The group continually expands the capacities of its terminals in Southern Russia, creating new opportunities for Russian exports.

Since 2005, ASTP, by the mandate of the federal agency for maritime and river transport (Rosmorrechflot), has been holding the “Best Stevedoring Company” competition. The goal is to identify Russian stevedoring companies that achieve the best performance in their work and to share their experience with other port stevedoring companies in Russia.

NUTEP handled 602,500 TEUs, which is 3.4% more than in 2022. At the same time, in March 2023, the terminal set a monthly record by transshipping 70.1 thousand TEUs, which is 6% higher than the previous result (January 2023). KSK shipped 8.2 million tons of grain for export in 2023, 37% more than in the same period of the previous year.

“The growth in operating performance is due to the successful implementation of operational efficiency and infrastructure development projects, which allowed us to maintain consistent service quality and rhythmic operations against the backdrop of high demand. This year we will continue to modernize terminals and increase capacity in order to maintain the upward trend for indicators and ensure efficient logistics of Russian foreign trade”, said Igor Yakovenko, CEO of DeloPorts