DP World interested in running Russian ports

St Petersburg - Firm agreed this week with Russian entities on joint project to pursue integrated development of northern sea route

Dubai's DP World, one of the world's largest port operators, wants to run ports that Russia plans to build along the northern sea route in the Arctic to shorten shipping times between the east and west, its chief executive told Reuters.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has made developing the northern sea route (NSR) - which requires new ports and heavy icebreakers to move goods - one of his priorities, with supporters dubbing the route the northern Suez Canal.
DP World operates 78 marine and inland terminals, supported by more than 50 related businesses in over 40 countries.
The firm agreed this week with the Russian Direct Investment Fund, Russian state nuclear firm Rosatom and Nornickel, one of the world's top nickel and palladium producers, a joint project to pursue the integrated development of the NSR.
The deal is not legally binding and the parties will first study options for developing the route and may set up a joint venture later to develop freight transit via the NSR.
"This is going to change the [economic] growth for Russia. Russia is creating the fastest route between the North Far East and Europe," DP World chief executive Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem told Reuters in St Petersburg.
"Ports are surrounded by other infrastructure which creates additional value, creates cargoes and high value cargoes," bin Sulayem said, adding DP World was interested in operating ports along the NSR.
"We have expertise and want to provide our expertise in running and managing and developing and investing into industrial infrastructure [along the NSR as well]."

• Infrastructure