Georg Ots Ferry Connects St. Petersburg, Kaliningrad

St. Petersburg-Kaliningrad cargo/passenger ferry line was festively opened in St. Petersburg, yesterday. The line will be serviced by the Georg Ots diesel ship purchased from ESCO Maritame Co. for about USD 2 million afforded by the Ministry of Transportation of Russia. As Chingiz Izmailov, a Deputy Transportation Minister said at the opening ceremony, beginning today, the Georg Ots will connect St. Petersburg with Kaliningrad traveling once weekly, then, beginning May 2003 - twice weekly.

Mr. Izmailov further said that, 'The opening of the St. Petersburg-Kaliningrad ferry line is one of the phases of the federal program to provide the Kaliningrad Region with transportation'. Transit tariffs are comparable with those in effect with railroads. The cheapest ticket for traveling in a four-berth cabin costs about USD 48, the most expensive - about USD 147. Tariffs for the transportation of vehicles are based on those in effect with the existing Finnish ferry line serving Kaliningrad. The Georg Ots can carry thirteen 13.6 m-long trailers or 107 passenger cars. Ferry tickets will be sold by the Neva, Balt Express, and Baltic Line tourist agencies.