August 4 - Russia based project logistics provider RTL has organised the transport of four oversize cargoes from Izhorskiye Zavody's plant in Kolpino, Leningradskaya to Gazprom Neft's Moscow refinery, as part of its modernisation programme.

The units - which had a combined weight of 785 tonnes - were first transported by road using heavy-duty trucks to a bespoke pier built by RTL on the River Neva.

The road transport involved passing over two railway crossings, which required the disconnection of high-voltage transmission lines and alterations to train schedules. RTL was also responsible for strengthening the road surface to guarantee the safety of the consignment.

Upon arrival at the pier, the cargoes were loaded onto a heavy-duty barge, before being shipped to Moscow via Russia's inland waterway network, routing via the River Neva, Ladoga Lake, Volga-Baltic canal, White Lake and Sheksna River, Rybinsk reservoir, Volga River and Moscow canal.

The final stage of the project will see the four cargoes moved to their final installation site at the Moscow refinery.

Gazprom Neft began the large project to modernise its Moscow refinery in 2011, removing outdated production facilities and introducing modern industrial complexes.

Over the past five years, the impact of the plant's production on the environment has been reduced by 50 percent, said RTL. The modernisation programme is scheduled for completion in 2020.

www.rtlltd.com/EN/

www.gazprom-neft.com