FESCO launched container transportation between Russia and Durban, South Africa, on 20 June 2025. Vice-President German Maslov announced the service during the St Petersburg International Economic Forum, Interfax reported. Export containers leave Novorossiysk or St Petersburg on the group’s existing lines to Nhava Sheva in India, before transferring to feeder ships for Durban.
Import routing and initial consignments
On the return leg, containers for Novorossiysk can transfer at Nhava Sheva or Jebel Ali in the United Arab Emirates.
The company’s 20 June announcement records an initial container of non-hazardous chemicals arriving in Durban from Novorossiysk on 8 June, after approximately 45 days at sea. By the announcement date it had been loaded with South African import goods and was awaiting its return vessel. Another container, carrying plastic products, reached Nhava Sheva on 17 June; its onward shipment to Durban was planned for early July.
- Export origins: Novorossiysk and St Petersburg.
- Outbound interchange: Nhava Sheva.
- Return interchanges: Nhava Sheva, Jebel Ali or Mundra, depending on destination.
Existing Indian-port connections
FESCO’s 17 January 2025 account of Baltorient Line explains an existing connection between St Petersburg, Indian ports and China through the Suez Canal. The service carried more than 75,000 TEU in 2024, including almost 30,000 TEU of exports and more than 45,000 TEU of imports. Its route already included Nhava Sheva and Mundra, the interchange ports named in the new Durban arrangements.
Those annual volumes describe Baltorient Line’s existing business. The approximately 45-day journey instead belongs to the first reported Durban container.
Company and contacts
FESCO. The 2024 annual-report contact reference publishes +7 800 23 44499. Corporate website: https://www.fesco.com/en/.
