The Tuapse–Taşucu RoRo line is a sea connection carrying loaded trucks, trailers and vehicles between the Port of Tuapse on Russia's Black Sea coast and the Port of Taşucu in the Silifke district of Mersin. Running down to the Mediterranean via the Turkish Straits, the line stands out in power plant supply because it delivers cargo from Russia without transhipment to the RoRo port closest to the Akkuyu NPP.
How does the line work?
A truck loaded in Russia arrives at the Port of Tuapse in the Krasnodar region, completes export formalities at Russian customs and is driven onto the ship via the ramp. The ship crosses the Black Sea, passes through the Bosphorus, the Sea of Marmara and the Dardanelles into the Aegean, and from there down to the Mediterranean. This is a sea route of more than 2,000 km. At Taşucu the vehicle drives off the ramp, goes through customs and continues by road to the delivery point. The destination, Taşucu Port, is a short road distance from the Akkuyu site.
On RoRo lines, shipments are generally made in two ways. In accompanied transport, the tractor unit and driver travel on board with the cargo. In unaccompanied transport, only the trailer is put on the ship and is collected at the destination port by another tractor unit. The unaccompanied option lowers the driver cost but requires a tractor unit to be arranged on arrival.
Which loads are carried?
- Installation materials, electrical equipment, pipes and spare parts in curtainsider trailers.
- Containers on container chassis.
- Machinery and equipment within legal dimensions.
- Heavy pieces on lowbeds; for these, the ship's ramp capacity, deck height and lashing points are confirmed in advance (heavy cargo by RoRo).
What does the voyage time depend on?
The sea voyage takes a few days, but the door-to-door time is mostly determined by other factors: the ship's departure frequency, the queue for the Straits transit, export formalities in Tuapse, customs in Taşucu and storms on the Black Sea in the winter months. A truck that reaches the port a day late waits for the next sailing. Planning is therefore built around the ship's departure day; the loading date in Russia is calculated backwards from that day.
What is its advantage for Akkuyu cargo?
| Criterion | Tuapse–Taşucu RoRo | Lars–Georgia road |
|---|---|---|
| Land border crossings | None; Russian export and Turkish import customs | Russia–Georgia and Georgia–Türkiye border gates |
| Road distance within Türkiye | Under 40 km as the crow flies from Taşucu to the site | Over 1,000 km from the Georgian border gates to Mersin |
| Weather risk | Black Sea storms, sailing delays | Snow, landslides and gate closures on the Caucasus pass |
| Driver | No driver needed on board with the unaccompanied option | The driver stays with the vehicle the whole way |
The line's greatest advantage is the absence of transhipment. The cargo travels all the way to the power plant in the trailer in which it was sealed at the factory in Russia; since there is no intermediate handling, the risk of damage and shortage is reduced. A comparison with the other routes from Russia is in the entry Russia–Akkuyu routes.
Customs and documents
Cargo going to Akkuyu via this line is cleared through customs at Taşucu. The truck arrives under a TIR carnet or a transit declaration; the CMR consignment note remains valid for the cargo on the vehicle during the sea leg as well. If the commercial invoice, packing list and certificate of origin are prepared while the vehicle is on the road, waiting at the port is shortened. For the order of procedures, see the steps for project cargo customs clearance in Taşucu.
Common mistakes
- Not getting the export declaration on the Russian side done before the ship's cut-off time.
- Sending a high or heavy load on its way without asking about the ship's ramp and deck dimensions.
- Leaving the sea leg outside the cover of the cargo insurance policy.
How does Voltim Global support you?
Most of Voltim Global's shipments from Russia to Akkuyu run via this line. Building the loading date around the ship schedule and the last mile at Taşucu are part of the Russia–Akkuyu supply line service.