Tallin to see dedicated terminal for Chinese goods

Shanghai: China's Ningbo port is in discussions with the Estonian state-owned Tallinna Sadam for the proposed construction of a terminal for Chinese goods in the Muuga port in Estonia. Ain Kaljurand, ceo of the port company, is reported to have told BNS that representatives of the two port companies are now going through technical and commercial details, and that the agreement is due to be concluded in January. The Chinese partner already operates four terminals, therefore it has quite clear wishes as regards the technical features of the new facility, Kaljurand said.

Estonia's Minister of Economy and Comunications Juhan Parts signed an agreement on maritime transport with China's deputy minister of transport on September 24, which serves as a prerequisite for the cooperation between the companies.

According to Yonhap, the agreement facilitates cooperation between Estonian and Chinese ports primarily in the shipment of containers, offering new opportunities to Estonian logistics and transport companies, a press release by the Estonian Ministry of Transport and Communications said.

The purpose of the agreement is to promote ties and maritime cooperation between the countries by ensuring equal treatment in ports for each other's ships and facilitating the entry of crew members into each other's territory.

The bilateral agreement also regulates cooperation between the maritime authorities, recognition of ship crew members' documents and matters related to their arrival on land and staying on land, along with topics of rescue and taxation. [30/09/08]

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