In Russia, they are reviving a Soviet port and the railway to it – are there any prospects?

Bashkortostan is returning to a large-scale project to restore the river port of the city of Agidel. The latter has all the potential to form one of the key logistics hubs of the Volga region.


The goal of the initiative is not only to restore the port infrastructure itself, but also to create a special economic zone on its basis. However, the success of the idea is highly dependent on the railway connection. The highway to Agidel has been discussed for several years, but construction has not yet begun.

The port that has been awaited for decades

The port of Agidel, located on the Belaya River, was created in the 80s as part of the infrastructure project to build the Bashkir Nuclear Power Plant. In parallel, a railway line was being laid in the direction of Neftekamsk - Agidel. It was intended for the delivery of construction materials and equipment.


Initially, the nuclear power plant was planned to be equipped with four power units with WWER-1000 reactors. However, in the early 90s, the project was frozen. According to some reports, this happened due to mass public protests and high environmental risks after the tragic events at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. Other sources point to the difficult economic situation of the region and the entire country at that time.

One way or another, after the Soviet Union ceased to exist, the construction was finally “abandoned.” Subsequently, the area turned into a neglected forest area.

Despite numerous attempts to return to the topic of nuclear power plants, the updated General Scheme for the Development of Electric Power does not provide for the launch of the project until 2042. It is possible that in future editions of this document, a nuclear power plant in the city of Agidel will appear in it, but no confirmation of this information has been received.

Therefore, it can be assumed that the restoration and further development of the port is not carried out with the purpose of supplying the energy sector of the region. The water "harbor" is planned to be re-qualified into a full-fledged logistics hub that will connect Bashkiria with the sea routes of Russia.

How can we do without a railway?

One of the most obvious obstacles to the project's implementation is the lack of rail links between the port and other key transport points in the region. For example, the construction of the new Ufa-Agidel line, which was supposed to pass through Blagoveshchensk and Birsk, has been postponed for the fifth year in a row.


Initially, it was planned that the length of the new highway would be 175 km. The following structures were to be erected at this distance:

✅ 9 bridges
✅ 7 overpasses

According to the latest reports from the Ministry's press center Transport Bashkiria, the project is currently a priority. However, its implementation dates have not yet been announced, just as the work has not yet begun.

It is important to take into account that the declared volumes of transportation (up to 5 million tons annually) will not be able to be carried out by the port without a full-fledged railway infrastructure. A project to modernize the existing branch from Ufa to Neftekamsk is also being considered as a “backup option”.

The latter leads to a dead-end freight station. The route has its prospects, but requires complete reconstruction, as it does not meet modern standards in terms of safety and throughput.

Investments and special economic zone

The activities of the restored port are planned to be regulated according to a new scheme. For this purpose, a special economic zone is being created.


This status gives residents administrative and tax benefits. According to experts, the approach will significantly increase the financial "attractiveness" of the site for potential investors. At the moment, the government of Bashkortostan is conducting preparatory work in this direction to create infrastructure.

In particular, the berth is expected to be put into operation in the near future. According to preliminary estimates, it is capable of servicing vessels with a displacement of up to 5 thousand tons. Earlier, work began on preparing the area for bunkering and winter storage of vessels.

The following services are planned to be launched in 2026:

✅ filling with technical and drinking water
✅ reception of contaminated wastewater
✅ loading of marine fuel

The implementation of these stages is estimated at 2 billion rubles. The project is being carried out by the company "Bashatomterminal", which has been operating since 2015. The main profile of the enterprise is the storage and transshipment of gaseous and liquid cargo.


After the above-mentioned reconstruction points are completed, the port will be able to handle up to 200 thousand tons monthly. In addition, about 50 new jobs will appear in the region. One of the first clients of the terminal will be the shipping company Bashvolgatanker, which is engaged in logistics for the Ufa Oil Refinery.

Project Prospects and Challenges

The "reanimation" of the Agidel port is actively integrated into the project for the development of the North-South transport corridor. The latter is intended for the logistical connection of Russia and the Middle East, including Iran.

The geopolitical significance of the project has already attracted the attention of foreign investors. Earlier, the Chinese China Harbour Company and the Turkish Kozuva Holding wanted to "invest" in the port. However, the negotiations did not reach real investments.

The port's geographical location and expansion potential make the project promising for the development of logistics both in the region and the country, and beyond. After completion of all work, Agidel will be able to directly communicate with Russian seaports on the Black, Baltic, Caspian, White and Azov Seas.