Nibulon to replenish fleet with Scania and Stas equipment as part of logistics business development
MOSCOW. Feb 5 (Interfax) - JV Nibulon LLC, one of the largest operators on the Ukrainian grain market, is purchasing 76 Scania R450 Euro 5 tractors and 64 semi-trailers from Belgian manufacturer Stas as part of its logistics development strategy, Ukrainian media reported, citing the grain trader's press service.
The first consignment consists of 30 units, five of which have are already driving on Ukraine's roads, Nibulon's press service posted on social media.
The company said that due to the reorientation of logistics chains in the context of the military operation in the country, Nibulon has been forced to use combined routes, including transporting grain by truck. Transportation of agricultural products via these routes is used at the company's southern branches, in particular, the Vosnesensk and Novoodessky River branches, as well as from the terminal in Nikolaev, which currently serves as a dry port, on the Bessarabsky route.
To minimize the load on roads and the impact on the environment, agricultural products from all water elevators located along the Dnieper and blocked due to the explosion of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power station are transported by truck to the rail loading elevators.
To reduce tractor-trailer weight and increase payload, 30 of the 64 semi-trailers are made entirely of aluminum, including the frame. All tractors are equipped with 13-liter, 450 horsepower engines.
"Thanks to a system diversified by mode of transport, including road, rail and water transport, Nibulon has managed to build new supply chains for its products, reduce logistical costs and, thus, increase purchase prices for farmers," Nibulon's Director of Logistics, Sergey Kalkutin said.
He said that the logistics department plans to completely renew the freight transport service fleet in 2024, specifically referring to the Scania trucks.
JV Nibulon LLC was founded in 1991. Before the start of the crisis in Ukraine, the grain trader had 27 transshipment terminals and complexes for receiving agricultural crops, capacity for the simultaneous storage of 2.25 million tonnes of agricultural products, and a fleet of 83 vessels (including 23 tugs). The company also owns the Nikolaev Shipyard.
In addition, Nibulon used to cultivate 82,000 hectares of land in 12 regions of Ukraine and exported agricultural products to more than 70 countries.
Currently, the grain trader is operating at 32% capacity.