On October 5^th, Emperor Alexander I St. Petersburg State Transport University saw opening of II International Scientific Conference «Development of Infrastructure and Logistical Technologies in Transport Systems» (RILTTRANS-2017). The plenary session was held in the Assembly Hall of the university.

The basic scope of the Conference was development of transport infrastructure, namely, development of access to the port facilities of Russia. High interest in the Conference has been indicated by a number of participants, among which there were JSC «RZD» Senior Vice-President and Chief Engineer Mr. Sergey Kobzev, Director of State Railway Policy Department Mr. Vyacheslav Petrenko, Head of «RZD» affiliate October Railway Mr. Vladimir Goloskokov, General Director of Transoil compnay Mr. Vladimir Sokolov, administration of October, Northern, North Caucasus, and Kaliningrad Railways, as well as by specialists from transport and transport construction organisations, and Russia’s railway educational institutions.

Opening the Conference, Rector of PGUPS Mr. Alexander Panychev has pointed out that today the issue of modernisation of Russia’s railways is especially acute. Together with JSC «RZD», the university is actively engaged in development of railway accesses to ports of the country. Scientific elaborations of specialists and alumni of Russia’s first transport and engineering higher educational institution contribute largely to the improvement of the transport branch.

«Twice during the course of 180 years, Russian Railways were the most modern in the world. I wish all of you to witness the triumph of national steel mainlines for the third time» - Mr. Rector said.

On behalf of the President of JSC «RZD», Mr. Sergey Kobzev has congratulated the participants with the beginning of the Conference and the university’s staff - with the Teacher’s Day. He has also pointed at active participation of PGUPS in shaping «RZD» long-term development programme.

According to Mr. Kobzev, today it is especially important to have effective and optimal railway nets and shunting yards. October Railway, for instance, possesses one - Ust-Luga. Its capacity is a benchmark for the entire net. Having wished all the participants more opportunities for self-realisation, Senior Vice-President of JSC «RZD» said: «Our ancestors - engineers - worked to develop and strengthen Russian Railways to make them the link of the Empire. Today, our task remains the same - railways are to be the key element of the country’s economy».

A welcome speech by Russia’s Minister of Transport Mr. Maksim Sokolov has been read out by Mr. Vyacheslav Petrenko.

«Development of logistical and information technologies is to ensure the most efficient operation of the country’s transport infrastructure» - Mr. Petrenko has read out.

Mr. Vyacheslav Petrenko has indicated at sustainable promotion of all projects which took roots and emerged within the walls of the university.

During the plenary session, the reports were given by Head of October Railway Mr. Vladimir Goloskokov and General Director of Transoil compnay Mr. Vladimir Sokolov. The reports were devoted to development of railway infrastructure and logistical technologies within transport corridors, and organisation of bulk cargo transportation to sea ports respectively.

Vice-Rector for Pedagogical Work and Industry Relations Mr. Petr Rybin has told the participants about modern tendencies in development of seaports, portside railway hubs and their accesses.

The report by First Deputy of the General Director of JSC «Novorossiisk Seaport» Mr. Pavel Sokolov was devoted to the programme of development of this transport hub, and the report by Exploitation Director of «Rosterminal» Joint Stock Company Mr. A. Sedov was devoted to the cooperation between Rosterminal and JSC «RZD».

Besides, the participants of the plenary session have dwelt upon the issues of organisation of shunting operations in a seaport station on the example of Ust-Luga Port. They have also discussed development of infrastructure and logistical technologies.

During the break of the plenary session, the heads of the branch and the university, together with other participants, could visit thematic exhibition, organised in the Assembly Hall. After the plenary session, the participants went on with their work in their sections.