By John Helmer in Moscow Novorossiysk Commercial Seaport Company (NCSP is the London ticker), the only internationally listed Russian port, crashed Friday [August 7] by almost 6% in Moscow stock market trading, despite a stable report and ratings confirmation from Standard & Poors. S&P’s August 6 report said that continuing growth of Russia’s seaborne trade […]

by John Helmer - Sunday, August 23rd, 2009
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By John Helmer in Moscow Far Eastern Shipping Company (Fesco), Russia’s fleet leader for dry cargo and containers, is headed for an even bigger year-end loss than industry analysts or the company have acknowledged before. A new report, issued on August 7 by Moscow investment bank Renaissance Capital, predicts that group revenues will fall 41% […]

by John Helmer - Sunday, August 23rd, 2009
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By John Helmer in Moscow The last time Russia was obliged to teach strategy to the ruling powers of the Baltic Sea — in the 18th century, they were the Swedes – at the Battle of Grengam (pictured), the Russians claim they won. But so do the Swedes. The outcome, however, was that the Swedish […]

by John Helmer - Sunday, August 23rd, 2009
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by John Helmer - Saturday, August 22nd, 2009
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by John Helmer - Sunday, August 2nd, 2009
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By John Helmer in Moscow At 2:30 pm, London time today, Oleg Deripaska lost his appeal of the July 3, 2008, ruling by the High Court Justice Christopher Clarke, ordering him to face trial by the UK High Court on charges of defrauding his patron and business partner, Michael Cherney. Four of the most senior […]

by John Helmer - Friday, July 31st, 2009
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By John Helmer in Moscow Three Japanese grain traders — Itochu, Sojitz, and Mitsui — are competing to establish the first major Russian grain export terminal at a Russian port on the Sea of Japan. Rapid growth of demand for wheat in the Asian markets, and the price and transport advantages of Russian grain, have […]

by John Helmer - Friday, July 31st, 2009
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Compiled by John Helmer in Moscow The Financial Times Gunvor, Putin and me: the truth about Russian oil trader May 22 2008 03:00 From Mr Gennady Timchenko. Sir, Your article “On the offensive” (Analysis, May 15) purported to explain the rise of the oil trader Gunvor. However, it contained many inaccuracies and false claims. In […]

by John Helmer - Thursday, July 30th, 2009
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By John Helmer in Moscow Evraz, Russia’s largest steelmaker, has received its first rating downgrade from an international ratings agency. It also is the first time Roman Abramovich and Alexander Abramov, who share control of the Evraz group’s Russian and international assets through Mastercroft Limited, a Cyprus registered company, have been downgraded. According to an […]

by John Helmer - Thursday, July 30th, 2009
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By John Helmer in Moscow Under pressure of regional politicians, prosecutors and courts, Vadim Varshavsky (pictured left), owner of the Estar group of midsized and specialty Russian steelmills, has eliminated his legal liability for another one of his lossmaking, idled units, but the terms remain unclear. Varshavsky, who avoids press contact unless it is advertorial, […]

by John Helmer - Wednesday, July 29th, 2009
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