Russian Post to expand services in Kamchatka region

Russian Post has said it is now retrofitting new logistics systems to optimise its network in Kamchatka. The move coincides with the start of negotiations that could lead to closer working between Russian Post and the government administration of the region in the very far east of Russia.

Russian Post said the conclusion of a cooperation agreement would be “mutually beneficial”, allowing for government services to be operated through the post office.

Under the agreement, the Kamchatka Administration is promising to help Russian Post expand the number of its post offices in the area and partner with Russian Post in a regional airline project that would help build air delivery services in the region and throughout the northeast of Russia.

The Post has said in return it will develop a new format for postal services in rural areas, including the use of mobile post offices and provision of postal services through external partners in particularly inaccessible locations.

The cooperation agreement is expected to be signed shortly, Russian Post said today.

Sergei Zemlyanov, head of the branch network for Russian Post, said: “Russian Post is committed to the effective development of a network of postal communication. It is very important for us to provide high quality postal services for citizens living in cities and for rural residents.”

“The use of different formats of service for urban and rural populations, with public support, will also ensure availability and a wide range of high quality postal services for businesses.”

The Kamchatka Peninsula currently has 111 post offices, 62 in rural areas and 49 in towns and cities, serving a population in the region of about 320,000.

Russian Post said there were about 1,500 postal workers in Kamchatka, including 265 mail carriers. Mail is delivered by road, and in remote locations also by motorboats, snowmobiles, helicopters and ferries.