The key to the long-term presence of Russian sulphur in the world market is the continued improvement of the logistics involved in moving the sulphur from the inland production sites to seaports on the coast of the Black Sea. To ensure such a presence continues and to improve the economics of export operations, Fedcominvest, together with a notable transportation company, has acquired the port facilities at Ust-Donetsk from the Russian Government. Located on the Don River north of the Azov Sea, the port was built in 1960, and about 10 million tons of various commodities were handled annually while under the control of the Soviet Union. Since then, traffic has reduced substantially; consequently, the Russian government is supportive of activities designed to reactivate the port. Moreover, Ust-Donetsk is the only port that allows sulphur storage in the region.

Navigation down the river from Ust-Donetsk is open from April until November. The port is equipped with 26 portal and 5 floating cranes; all have been renovated. In total, the quay frontage stretches for 1.4 kms and comprising 10 berths. Covered storage capacity totals about 1,700 square meters and open storage, ideal for sulphur, covers some 90,000 square meters, an area capable of storing more than 600,000 tonnes of sulphur. All major work has been completed and the port is operational for sulphur handling and storage since April 2002. 

In addition to direct barges, shipments from Buzan (Astrakhan) to Kavkaz/ Kerch in the Azov Sea during April/November, Fedcominvest intends to use this new facility at Ust-Donetsk to handle the bulk of its sulphur shipments from Astrakhan by rail, for further dispatch by barges down to Kerch or Kavkaz, ultimately for reloading onto sea-going vessels, including panamaxes, for export. A buffer stock up to 500,000 tonnes will be used to improve loading rates and product availability closer to the port, especially during the fall-winter season. A vast fleet of barges and floating cranes will be dedicated exclusively to ensure the efficient operation of this new sulphur delivery system.