Strategic priorities for the Russian seaports cargo turnover structure development

Trends in the world economy and trade, as well as the process of globalization, contribute to the seaports development as a strategic driver of economic growth in many countries. Seaports play a major role in optimizing trade relations; they act as key nodes in global transport chains and serve as connecting elements of the socio-economic systems in many countries. We have identified global, national and regional trends in the development of port facilities, analyzed cargo transshipment in the sea ports that are strategic objects of the state; this determines the need to improve methods and forms of management of their development on the basis of advanced technology. The development of port infrastructure will ensure economic growth both in the regional location and in the country as a whole. It is in the regions that it is necessary to form a competitive environment for economic entities, in particular seaports. Their development should have a positive impact on economic and social aspects: economic growth of territorial entities, market competition, development of innovative technologies and investment inflow. Empirical estimates of the links of neighboring regions economic growth were obtained on the basis of Moran’s I, as well as from studies on how Russia’s export cargo flows through seaports depend on GDP and on the index of industrial production in the period from 2006 to 2018. We analyzed the relationship between cargo turnover and shocks such as the financial and economic crisis of 2008-2009 and the imposition of sanctions, which for obvious reasons increase the observed volatility of international trade and, in particular, cargo volumes in ports. In the conclusion of the article we have formulated strategic priorities for the development of cargo turnover structure in sea ports on the basis of the identified opportunities and the obtained forecasts.