Passion for energy logistics

Polar Logistics Projects focuses on demanding projects logistics for the oil and gas industries in CIS countries. It has demonstrated its capabilities in supporting Sakhalin I, Sakhalin II and Kashagan oil and gas projects. Director Toni Ordning describes the company´s past and its future prospects.

"Oil and gas industry has special needs in project logistics. Standard logistic solutions providers can rarely satisfy the hard and specialized requirements of this particular sector", says Toni Ordning, Director for Polar Logistics projects.

Oil and gas fields are usually located in remote regions, combined with other special features. To create and deliver efficient logistics services to these fields requires in-depth analysis and planning. "It also takes a lot of experience to see around the corners and anticipate logistical challenges involved in every specific project", says Ordning.

Polar Logistics Projects has already accumulated a long experience by providing turnkey logistics in major oil and gas fields such as Sakhalin I, Sakhalin II and Kashagan. The company has also assisted clients throughout the CIS countries." We have  specialized in CIS logistics, and this has been a right choice for us as the market has been developing very positively", Toni Ordning admits.

Polar Logistics projects concentrates on supporting the upstream work of the oil and gas companies. The company delivers logistics services to the oil companies and EPC contractors as they establish and develop greenfield drilling locations. Polar Logistics Projects transports the drilling rigs and all associated equipment that is required.

The company also supports the exploration activities of the oil and gas industry. These operations are often carried out in some of the world´s most remote locations and under very harsh conditions.

EXPERIENCE AND SECURITY

Polar Logistics Projects was established in 2006 as a part of the Polar Logistics Group, which has a long experience in cargo forwarding services to Russia and the CIS. Polar Logistics Projects is headquartered in Tallinn, Estonia. Currently, the company has its operational centre at Helsinki-Vantaa, Finland.

Toni Ordning joined the company in 2006, setting himself a task of creating a top-level projects logistics service provider. "I had a background of working  at the EPC and I was very familiar with the problems related to project logistics. We simply experienced poor standards of service from some forwarders", he says. Based on his experience, Ordning was determined to develop a project forwarder that would control the whole logistics chain from transport operations to customs clearance.

Polar Logistics Project's staff works on-site with the clients. Polar Logistics Projects has a deliberate policy of employing local staff with a strong knowledge of local conditions and specific needs. At the same time, company concentrates on developing the staff´s skills up to the highest standards.

Safety is adopted into the company culture and is one of the company's main values. Polar Logistics Projects managers and logistics specialists monitor all activities to ensure the operations comply with the company's management systems, process documents and methods designed to make sure that operations meet the level of  quality, HSE and security required by customers.

PROSPECTS AND NEW HORIZONS

Polar Logistics Projects is confident about its prospects over the next couple of years. The oil and gas industry is developing further as companies seek new fields and expand existing ones. This positive trend creates opportunities for specialized logistics providers with the right skills.

The company is currently focusing its attention towards the Caspian sea region. The main energy producing states of the Caspian basin - Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan - have large untapped potential production of both oil and natural gas. These countries are said to have an energy export potential equal to or larger than that of Russia´s Gazprom.

The development and utilization of these resources will require further investments in production and transportation. General infrastructure projects are needed as well in order to provide connections within the countries and with the outside world. Economic activity will be boosted by the energy sector which will also generate demand for freight  by air, sea, train and road. These trends will create new opportunities for logistics services.

In order to be in a right place at a right time, Polar Logistics Projects has already established an extensive field-presence in the region. "We have a local staff with local knowledge working in the local environment", says Ordning. In Kazakhstan Polar Logistics Projects has currently three offices, which are located in Almaty, Atyrau and Astana. Office in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, was opened in 2009. This year Polar Logistics Projects will open an office in Baku, Azerbaijan. The next step will be extending company's activities to Turkmenistan.

Furthermore, Polar Logistics Projects is heading towards the Persian gulf region. The company is planning to establish its activities in Iraq. Reconstruction and energy sector development will present an opportunity for companies having the right experience and skills in demanding projects. "We are actively scanning global markets. Different plans and scenarios are in the pipeline...", adds Toni.

VISION WITH A PASSION

Polar Logistics Projects has developed steadily over the past few years. It has established a strong reputation of being a reliable and innovative logistics projects services provider. Toni Ordning is confident about the future: "We have accomplished most of those goals that we set out to reach in the beginning. Our self-confidence has grown together with the results and experience. Polar Logistics Projects is now ready for new challenges".

But the key mission remains. Polar Logistics Projects offers efficient international logistics services, as well as transportation and forwarding solutions all over the world. "We are committed to provide our customers with top-class customized door-to- site freight solutions worldwide. The Polar Logistics Projects has what it takes - vision, experience and strong network in our primary markets. But the main thing is our passion to reach new levels of service - every day", Toni summarizes Polar Logistics Projects´ mission.