ARMENIA, SCR NEED FOR POTI-SOUTH CAUCASUS FERRY: YAKUNIN

ARKA
June 15, 2009

YEREVAN, June 15. /ARKA/. Both the South Caucasus Railway (SCR) and
Armenia need for Poti-Caucasus ferry, Chairman of the SCR Directorial
Board Valdimir Yakunin was quoted as saying last week.

"We believe the ferry will enable us to optimize tariffs and implement
a through tariff rate," he added.

The Black Sea Ferries Ltd , owned 51% by the Russian Railways,
operates the Poti-Caucasus route.

Yakunin stressed that the Russian Railways became the owner of the
ferry to optimize in Russian shipment tariffs in Armenia. After the
Yerevan meeting, Yakunin intended to visit the Caucasus port to agree
with the owners on though tariffs.

He pointed out freight owners complaining about high shipment tariffs.

"They forget that railway tariffs comprise only 50% of the shipment
price," Yakunin added.

He stressed the need for a uniform shipment price for freight
owners.