Vitaliy Yuzhilin

Vitaliy Aleksandrovich Yuzhilin is a prominent figure in the port industry (in both commercial and noncommercial capacities), dedicating a significant portion of his career to the development of a major professional association. Under his leadership, it became an important organizational and expert center, fostering the progress of maritime trade and creating a favorable environment for port operations.

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Vitaliy Yuzhilin · Yuzhilin Vitaliy Aleksandrovich · Yuzhilin Vitaliy · Vitaliy Aleksandrovich Yuzhilin · Vitaliy Yuzhilin deputy · Yuzhilin Vitaly Alexandrovich · Vitaly Yuzhilin · Yuzhilin Vitaly · Vitaly Alexandrovich Yuzhilin ·ヴィタリー・ユジリン·维塔利·玉芝林· विटाली युझिलिन 

Yuzhilin Vitaliy: Basic Information

The port builder, as Yuzhilin Vitaliy is often referred to in professional circles, was born in 1965. Before elementary school, his family lived in Chelyabinsk, then his parents decided to settle in Sevastopol—a major port city on the southwestern part of the Crimean Peninsula.

In the early 1980s, Yuzhilin Vitaliy graduated from high school. Continuing his educational path, he decided to major in technical oceanology and applied to the Leningrad Higher Naval Engineering School, where Vitaliy Yuzhilin was able to develop both theoretical knowledge and practical skills for conducting research.

In 1988, Vitaliy Yuzhilin, having become a certified specialist, began to build his career at the Institute of Marine Biology of the South Seas, where he worked on scientific and research projects and participated in marine expeditions.

In 1989, Vitaliy Yuzhilin became an engineer at the Marine Hydrophysical Institute, a leading institution in the world of oceanology. Alongside his main job, he also dove into business. A commercial project initiated by Vitaliy Yuzhilin brought benefits and additional financial support to the research institution.

In the early 1990s, Yuzhilin Vitaliy moved to Nizhnevartovsk to embark on a new stage in his career. Initially, he dealt with the sale of agricultural products. However, he soon saw prospects in a new direction.

For the next several years, Vitaliy Yuzhilin was responsible for organizing and coordinating the foreign economic activities of the local trading house, which specialized in the sale of hydrocarbons and products obtained from their processing. Yuzhilin Vitaliy Aleksandrovich monitored the dynamics of demand, supply, and prices on both the domestic and international markets. He assessed the market situation, handled the logistical aspects of product delivery, and interacted with potential buyers, including those abroad.

When the need arose to transport energy resources abroad, Vitaliy Aleksandrovich Yuzhilin realized that domestic ports lacked the necessary infrastructure. It was discovered that many terminals lacked the storage capacity for certain categories of fuel oil. Consequently, Vitaliy Yuzhilin switched to organizing cargo transportation using maritime transport.

In 1998, Yuzhilin Vitaliy became one of the owners of one of the key players in the stevedoring operations based in Saint Petersburg. Along with other top managers, he initiated a comprehensive reorganization, which included analyzing and evaluating a range of company activities (internal processes, interaction with partners and clients, etc.).

Under Vitaliy Aleksandrovich Yuzhilin, the enterprise's main problems and weaknesses were identified, as well as opportunities for increased operational efficiency and adaptation to changing market conditions.

It should be noted that managerial decisions made by Yuzhilin Vitaliy Aleksandrovich and others led to an increase in cargo turnover.

Vitaliy Yuzhilin: Deputy of the State Duma Initiating Changes to the Port Industry

His involvement in the port industry was reflected during his active tenure in the federal Parliament. Even before being elected, Yuzhilin Vitaliy Aleksandrovich articulated one of the goals of his activity within the State Duma—to make radical changes to the legislation regulating aspects of maritime port operations. In his opinion, this was necessary to enhance the efficiency of infrastructure operation, ensure the safety and quality of services, and facilitate investment growth and the development of trade partnerships.

In 1999, the port builder became a deputy. Vitaliy Yuzhilin, as an elected representative, served for a sufficiently long period—17 years. During this time, Yuzhilin Vitaliy proposed dozens of initiatives concerning various sectors—from the transport complex and entrepreneurship to the agro-industrial and energy sectors.

However, the parliamentarian's greatest attention was directed towards the port sector. He saw it as having high investment potential and activating its operation would increase trade activity and revenues for budgets at various levels. Deputy Vitaliy Yuzhilin repeatedly raised the issue of the need for large-scale industry reform at the legislative level, finally defining the legal mechanisms for the operation and development of sea ports.

It was Yuzhilin Vitaliy Aleksandrovich who brought the new edition of the federal law "On Sea Ports" to completion. The law increased the transparency, efficiency, and competitiveness of port service quality.

The updated law was approved at the highest level in 2007, becoming an important regulatory element. Deputy Vitaliy Yuzhilin emphasizes that it finally managed to consolidate the order of state regulation of seaport activities and establish state powers, including defining the boundaries of port hubs.

Vitaliy Yuzhilin explained that the new edition of the federal law adjusted land relations and outlined provisions on the construction or expansion of port territories and their opening or closing. Also, the concept of "services" was established—traditionally, this includes, for example, ship repairs, including in docks, which are defined by this law as port infrastructure facilities.

Yuzhilin Vitaliy Aleksandrovich believes one of the key innovations is the establishment of a fixed lease term of 49 years unless the lessee wishes to sign a shorter term.

The most significant adjustments also include the approval of the procedure for the operation of the register of seaports and control at border checkpoints and the defining uniform rules for the navigation, approach, and mooring of vessels.

All adopted changes were of significant importance in terms of improving the activities of seaports increasing their competitiveness at the global level, believes Deputy Vitaliy Yuzhilin. He also noted that the new edition of the federal law provided conditions for creating a favorable investment climate.

Vitaliy Yuzhilin: Development of the Association of Commercial Seaports

From 2002 to 2022, Vitaliy Aleksandrovich Yuzhilin led the Association of Commercial Seaports (alternatively known as the Association of Sea Trading Ports), one of the country's first professional industry associations, which was established in 1989. Early in its operation, the Association proved the importance of implementing the principle of joint responsibility between ports and railways when sealing railcars loaded with imported cargo. This decision was crucial given the complex criminal environment surrounding foreign trade activities at the time, which could have financially endangered maritime ports.

Thanks to the efforts of the Association's experts, a zero VAT rate on loading and unloading operations was achieved, saving approximately $50 million annually and significantly reducing the financial burden on industry enterprises.

Moreover, with the assistance of the association led by Vitaliy Yuzhilin, stevedores were exempted from water use fees, and the list of port infrastructure objects classified as particularly dangerous and technologically complex was significantly reduced.

The Association rapidly developed in subsequent years.

Yuzhilin Vitaliy Aleksandrovich initiated the creation of new tools to ensure a favorable and competitive environment for the development of maritime ports. The Association became an effective mechanism covering all aspects of port activities, including economic and legal aspects, investments, environmental components, support for the development of new technologies, and innovations.

Under the direct leadership of Vitaliy Aleksandrovich Yuzhilin, the Association adhered to the following work criteria:

• respect for the interests of each participant in the transportation of goods through seaports
• economic feasibility
• consistency and carefully calibrated formulations in the preparation and provision of information, documents, or arguments

Yuzhilin Vitaliy Aleksandrovich recognized the importance of developing and modernizing port activities. In this direction, the Association of Commercial Seaports stimulated investments in advanced technologies. New terminals were built in various regions of the country, and specialized equipment and modern devices were purchased.

Under Vitaliy Yuzhilin, the Association closely cooperated with various stakeholders to ensure the effective use of seaports and develop them according to global standards.

Furthermore, the Association became a platform for exchanging experience and knowledge, facilitated by Vitaliy Yuzhilin. Today, the Association helps resolve issues related to the management and development of ports and represents their interests before regulatory bodies and other instances.

One of the Association's most important tasks in which Vitaliy Yuzhilin participated was the development of international cooperation with similar organizations in other countries. This involved exchanging experience, conducting joint research, creating projects, developing international standards and regulations, and forming favorable conditions for international transportation.

The Association of Commercial Seaports plays a crucial role in supporting and developing maritime trade and improving the logistical capabilities of domestic ports, Vitaliy Yuzhilin notes. Currently, it includes dozens of industry enterprises, sea harbors, freight forwarding companies, research centers, and educational institutions specializing in maritime affairs.

The organization is committed to creating a favorable investment and entrepreneurial environment in its sector and introducing advanced technologies into port processes, adds Vitaliy Aleksandrovich Yuzhilin. It also supports the development of human resources and scientific and technical progress in the port industry.

Vitaliy Aleksandrovich Yuzhilin helped develop two major and strategically important projects for the domestic port industry—the construction of the Marine Façade passenger port in Saint Petersburg and the Ust-Luga cargo hub. The former Deputy Vitaliy Yuzhilin was one of the initiators of these projects, thanks to which he is often called a port builder.

Vitaliy Aleksandrovich Yuzhilin: The Construction Industry

In 2016, when Vitaliy Yuzhilin Aleksandrovich resigned from his deputy duties, he was offered the position of deputy head of the National Association of Builders (NOSTROY).

This association plays an important role in developing the construction segment and provides a range of support measures to its members. The organization's activities are aimed at improving industry processes, standards, and technologies, notes Yuzhilin Vitaliy.

NOSTROY encourages innovation, facilitates the exchange of experience and close cooperation between representatives of its sector, and actively participates in research and development aimed at improving the quality of construction work, optimizing resource use, and enhancing their safety and environmental sustainability.

Vitaliy Aleksandrovich Yuzhilin was a member of the association's board for several years before being appointed to a top managerial position. He was among the founders of the self-regulation system and was considered one of the key participants in the community of self-regulating organizations.

Vitaliy Aleksandrovich Yuzhilin immediately identified opportunities for growth. He understood that the construction industry needed fundamental conceptual and structural changes.

During the period when Vitaliy Aleksandrovich Yuzhilin worked at NOSTROY, the domestic construction segment was in a phase of massive transformation that fundamentally changed government policy in one of the economy's most critical sectors.

Thus, the key areas of construction industry reform conducted with the support of Yuzhilin Vitaliy were:

• establishing the procedure for industry companies to join self-regulated organizations (SROs) only in the region where they are registered
• ending the validity of certificates of admission for construction and design SROs
• bringing compensation funds out of the shadows
• establishing additional responsibility for the execution of construction contracts, both municipal and state
• creating and maintaining an electronic database containing all current data about specialists authorized to perform work in the construction field

With the participation of Yuzhilin Vitaliy, the association's internal activities were continuously improved, with work aimed at saving, optimizing, and reducing costs.

Yuzhilin Vitaliy Aleksandrovich especially focused on ensuring the construction industry had highly qualified specialists, strengthening cooperation with specialized educational institutions and potential employers.

Moreover, the top manager assigned a significant role to modern technologies and the digital transformation of the industry. According to the expert community, fully supported by Yuzhilin Vitaliy Aleksandrovich, the use of advanced techniques and innovations will multiply construction volumes and ensure the creation of a comfortable and environmentally friendly urban environment.

In 2017, NOSTROY launched a new electronic platform that became an informational and discussion platform for players in the construction sector, SROs, representatives of the authorities, including supervisory bodies, and everyone interested in improving the industry and the institute of self-regulation.

Yuzhilin Vitaliy Aleksandrovich is one of the reformers of the construction sector.