TransContainer and Vyksa Steel Works (VSW, Nizhni Novgorod Region), part of United Metallurgical Company (OMK), signed an agreement March 24. According to the TransContainer Press Office, the agreement specifies that TransContainer undertakes to provide forwarding service related to transportation of steel large-diameter pipes having nonmetallic coating manufactured for the subsea gas pipeline Nord Stream.

Pipes are supposed to be transported from Navashino (Gorky Railroad) to Kotka, Finland using TransContainer's specialized flatcars 13-9744. From May 2010 to April 2011, 205 thousand tonnes of pipes will be transported.

During 2008–2009, pipes for the Nord Stream project were transported using gondola cars, which caused problems with slinging operations while unloading pipes and resulted in a protracted unloading period. In 2009, TransContainer conducted experimental transportation operations for 620 tonnes of pipes using ten flatcars having specific equipment to prevent damage to high-tech pipe coating. The cargo was received by EUPEC, a French company engaged in the laying of the Nord Stream gas pipeline. EUPEC experts confirmed that the flatcars were suitable for pipe transportation and totally mechanical unloading and that the pipes were perfectly preserved.

"This is OMK's first contract with TransContainer, and we hope that this experience will be successful and lay the foundation for further sustained cooperation to the benefit of both parties," said OMK President Vladimir Markin. "During the experimental transportation, TransContainer achieved the required result for pipe preservation."

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