Порт Роттердама и группа 'Сумма' летом намерены принять решение по проекту в Китае
Hans Smits, the head of the Port of Rotterdam, told journalists that the port and Summa Group plan to complete their analysis and make a decision by the summer of 2012 about the possibility of buying a port in China.
"This summer we will finish our analysis and decide whether or not to develop the project," he said, adding that the two companies have visited the port and are now taking some time to study the question.
Ziyavudin Magomedov, the chairman of Summa Group's board of directors, had announced in February that the group was examining the possibility of joining with the Port of Rotterdam to buy the port asset in China, but he did not provide further details at that time. In 2011, Summa Group and the Port of Rotterdam signed a "global strategic partnership" agreement, which anticipates working together to develop a port business in new markets, particularly in Asia and Latin America.
Smits added this port is located in the Nangang region, 150 kilometers from Beijing, and is a new facility. He said that the two parties decided to look to China for their first joint project, because of its growing market. Nevertheless he added it was too early to discuss the total sum that would be spent on this transaction.
Smits explained that the different models for Summa's joint participation in the projects could be affected by specific factors, including the possible involvement of local partners. He said that the partnership between the Port of Rotterdam and Summa Group will have three stages: sharing experience, co-managing a port, and jointly investing in a project.
In May, the head of the port plans to take a delegation to Russia, in part to visit the Novorossiysk Commercial Sea Port (NCSP, owned by Summa), and there are plans to exchange delegations on a regular basis.
When asked to comment on the Russian government's plans that were announced in March to transfer 20% of NCSP to Rosneft, Smits said that it is not customary in Europe for a shipper to own a share in a port.
"Our idea is to be an independent management company. We would never sell a block of shares of a company that has an interest in handling its own goods," he said, noting that the block of shares should be sold at public auction.
At the same time, the head of the port added that situations can be dependent on the local circumstances, such as in Brazil, where there is a coal port owned by a coal company.
In addition, the head of the port mentioned that they are also considering other potential joint projects with Summa, though he did not name them. It was previously announced that the two parties were examining projects in Asia and Latin America.
Summa Group owns assets that specialize in port logistics, engineering, construction, telecommunications, and the oil and gas industry. One of the group's biggest assets is the Novorossiysk Commercial Sea Port, OJSC (NCSP). Last year Summa Group won a tender to build the Tank Terminal Europort West (TEW) oil-loading terminal at the Port of Rotterdam. Shtandart TT B.V., a joint venture between Summa and the Dutch company VTTI, will invest up to $1 billion in the project. Construction of the terminal will begin in 2013, and it is scheduled to begin operations by 2015.
"This summer we will finish our analysis and decide whether or not to develop the project," he said, adding that the two companies have visited the port and are now taking some time to study the question.
Ziyavudin Magomedov, the chairman of Summa Group's board of directors, had announced in February that the group was examining the possibility of joining with the Port of Rotterdam to buy the port asset in China, but he did not provide further details at that time. In 2011, Summa Group and the Port of Rotterdam signed a "global strategic partnership" agreement, which anticipates working together to develop a port business in new markets, particularly in Asia and Latin America.
Smits added this port is located in the Nangang region, 150 kilometers from Beijing, and is a new facility. He said that the two parties decided to look to China for their first joint project, because of its growing market. Nevertheless he added it was too early to discuss the total sum that would be spent on this transaction.
Smits explained that the different models for Summa's joint participation in the projects could be affected by specific factors, including the possible involvement of local partners. He said that the partnership between the Port of Rotterdam and Summa Group will have three stages: sharing experience, co-managing a port, and jointly investing in a project.
In May, the head of the port plans to take a delegation to Russia, in part to visit the Novorossiysk Commercial Sea Port (NCSP, owned by Summa), and there are plans to exchange delegations on a regular basis.
When asked to comment on the Russian government's plans that were announced in March to transfer 20% of NCSP to Rosneft, Smits said that it is not customary in Europe for a shipper to own a share in a port.
"Our idea is to be an independent management company. We would never sell a block of shares of a company that has an interest in handling its own goods," he said, noting that the block of shares should be sold at public auction.
At the same time, the head of the port added that situations can be dependent on the local circumstances, such as in Brazil, where there is a coal port owned by a coal company.
In addition, the head of the port mentioned that they are also considering other potential joint projects with Summa, though he did not name them. It was previously announced that the two parties were examining projects in Asia and Latin America.
Summa Group owns assets that specialize in port logistics, engineering, construction, telecommunications, and the oil and gas industry. One of the group's biggest assets is the Novorossiysk Commercial Sea Port, OJSC (NCSP). Last year Summa Group won a tender to build the Tank Terminal Europort West (TEW) oil-loading terminal at the Port of Rotterdam. Shtandart TT B.V., a joint venture between Summa and the Dutch company VTTI, will invest up to $1 billion in the project. Construction of the terminal will begin in 2013, and it is scheduled to begin operations by 2015.