The last three years have given Russia a new export seaport, Primorsk, equalling Novorossiisk for capacity.
Mr Putin congratulated Mr Vainshtok on completing the construction, and said that the work of Primorsk did not depend on weather, to which Mr Vainshtok remarked that Novorossiisk was closed 80–90 days a year because of storms while Primorsk was active throughout the year.
The President greeted the appearance of a new direction for fuel shipping in Russia, as such diversification was of essential importance. It was now high time to develop pipeline transport, considering the increase of output and of our partners’ economic demands, Mr Putin said.