COMMENT | 01.03.2010

Coal industry: we must look in the future with optimism

coal industryThe most challenging factor for coal companies in 2009 was work in conditions of a serious shortage in financing. Last year there were no such opportunities for obtaining credits as before, for example in 2008, and this affected the sector. Investments in the coal companies' fixed assets also fell by more than 30%. In addition, new construction was halted on those sites which were originally supposed to boom the production.

INTERVIEW | 28.02.2010

Speed traffic to the East: expensive but promising

Valentin GapanovichBy the end of last year Russia had got its first high-speed railway line. Thus, in December 2009, the first stage for a high-speed passenger service between Moscow and St. Petersburg was completed. The next stages are: Moscow - Nizhny Novgorod, as well as starting traffic on the route between St Petersburg and Helsinki.
Valentin Gapanovich, Senior Vice President and Chief Engineer of Russian Railways JSC, tells us where else high-speed routes will appear.

NEWS

Government to subsidize air travel to Russia's Far East

11.03.2010 (15:40)

Eleven airlines will be subsidized this year to carry passengers from the European part of the country to the Far East and back, being entitled to preference tariffs, a source in Rosaviatsia federal air transport agency told Tass.

RZD could sell TransTelecom stake in IPO, private subscription – newspaper

11.03.2010 (15:36)

Russian Railways (RZD) (RTS: RZHD) has sent proposals to investment banks regarding the sale of shares in its wholly owned TransTelecom in an IPO or by private subscription, the Kommersant newspaper said, quoting unspecified sources.

10 Arrested in Nevsky Express Bombing

11.03.2010 (15:32)

A Moscow court has sanctioned the arrest of 10 suspects in connection with November's bombing of the Nevsky Express train that killed 28 people.

Weather causes havoc in Russian south

11.03.2010 (15:28)

Late frosts and freezing rain have caused havoc in the Stavropol region in the south of Russia. Slippery roads and gusty winds are causing road accidents.

Romania to close five checkpoints on border with Ukraine

11.03.2010 (15:21)

Romania is to close five checkpoints on the border with Ukraine from March 11, the Chernivtsi customs detachment has told Interfax-Ukraine.

Greece hit by third general strike in a month

11.03.2010 (15:18)

Public services and transport in Greece have ground to a halt as workers stage a third general strike in protest at the government's austerity measures.

The Novorossiysk Commercial Sea Port Group Operating Results for Jan-Feb 2010

11.03.2010 (12:59)

In the reporting period NCSP Group's cargo turnover amounted to 14,054.5 thousand tons, which exceeds the cargo turnover of January-February 2009 by 2.3% (313.3 thousand tons).

EXHIBITIONS AND CONFERENCES

The Future of European Rail & The Future of High-Speed Rail

15.03.2010 - 17.03.2010

Conference

Spain, Madrid

TOC Asia 2010

16.03.2010 - 18.03.2010

China, Shanghai

St.Petersburg - the sea capital of RUSSIA. Ecology

17.03.2010 - 18.03.2010

The first International Conference

Russia, St.Petersburg

PRESS REVIEW

Car safety

11.03.2010 (15:50) | Europa.eu

European Commission welcomes international agreement on electric and hybrid cars

Fewer trucks hit Eurotunnel profits

10.03.2010 (17:07) | Telegraph

Eurotunnel has set a target of regaining a 38pc share of the cross-Channel trucking market after a year in which a fire in the tunnel and the economic downturn caused profits to tumble.

Nabucco's future depends on Turkmenistan

09.03.2010 (16:08) | Kommersant

If it fails to come to an agreement with the EU within six months, the EU will spend the money on other energy projects.

Russian Railways president, Vladimir Yakunin, pays working visit to Madrid

09.03.2010 (16:05) | RZD Russian Railways Press Centre

Russian Railways is currently working with the Spanish companies Ineco, ADIF, and Renfe Operadora on developing high-speed rail lines.

Government Cuts Auto Industry Investment Target

05.03.2010 (17:55) | The Moscow Times

The Cabinet approved its strategy for the auto industry Thursday, cutting the total amount of investment called for to 1.2 trillion rubles ($40 billion) from the previously proposed 1.8 trillion rubles.