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Vitaliy Yuzhilin: Labours as an entrepreneur and deputy of the State Duma

#FeatureByMikeMorgan

Vitaliy Yuzhilin: Labours as an entrepreneur and deputy of the State Duma

Originating his career in oceanography, Yuzhilin Vitaliy Aleksandrovich transitioned to become a pivotal figure in the advancement of the stevedoring sector. He championed this industry's interests within the legislative halls as a State Duma Deputy, contributing significantly to the enhancement of national budget revenues through this role from 1999 to 2016.

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Vitaliy Yuzhilin · Yuzhilin Vitaliy Aleksandrovich · Yuzhilin Vitaliy · Vitaliy Aleksandrovich Yuzhilin · Vitaliy Yuzhilin deputy · Южилин Виталий Александрович · Виталий Южилин · Южилин Виталий · Виталий Александрович Южилин · ヴィタリー・ユジリン · 维塔利·玉芝林 · विटाली युझिलिन

Born amidst the harsh winters of the Southern Urals in Chelyabinsk on December 10, 1965, Vitaliy Yuzhilin is the grandson of an esteemed air force captain, a veteran of World War II celebrated with the Hero of the Union's Gold Star for his valor, including missions over Berlin.

Graduating from a school in Crimea's historic Sevastopol, Vitaliy Aleksandrovich Yuzhilin balanced his youth between rigorous academic study and disciplined athletic training. His dedication to swimming, marked by intensive daily practices, culminated in achieving the status of Candidate Master of Sports.

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Pursuing higher education in Leningrad at the renowned Makarov State University of Maritime and Inland Shipping, he delved into the study of polar oceanography. In the transformative era of perestroika in 1988, he emerged with a degree, embarking on a career as an oceanologist and setting sail towards a future of maritime distinction.

In the year he completed his higher education, Vitaliy Aleksandrovich Yuzhilin devoted himself to scientific research at the Sevastopol Institute of Biology of the Southern Seas. His focus was on the diverse biological life, ecological dynamics, and hydrographic mapping of the Black Sea. His significant contribution came in 1989 when he engaged in submersible investigations to analyse the Black Sea's hydrogen sulfide concentrations.

During the same period, Vitaliy Yuzhilin, in his role as an engineering specialist at the Marine Hydrophysical Institute of the Ukrainian Academy of Sciences, was granted the opportunity to initiate a commercial venture. This venture was aimed at addressing the noncommercial economic aspects of the institute's research functions. This step marked the initial foray of Yuzhilin Vitaliy into administrative and economic leadership. Reflecting on this pivotal time, Yuzhilin Vitaliy Aleksandrovich recognised it as a response to the nation's shift towards market economy principles, with directives from the higher echelons of power to integrate market mechanisms within scientific institutions.

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In the wake of governmental and economic shifts, Vitaliy Yuzhilin transitioned to Nizhnevartovsk, a key city in Western Siberia's oil-rich Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Region. Here, he honed his organisational skills, particularly in the hydrocarbon raw materials market.

During this tumultuous period, Vitaliy Aleksandrovich Yuzhilin was instrumental in consolidating the Nizhnevartovsk District's finances. Under a directive from President Boris Yeltsin, local authorities were allocated a portion of the raw materials from fuel and energy companies, a boon for municipal budgets in need of liquidity.

As the newly appointed head of the foreign trade department at Nizhnevartovsk Trading House, Yuzhilin Vitaliy was tasked with monetising the region's crude oil by facilitating trade with refining companies and managing the export of processed products. This role required him to immerse himself in the complexities of logistics, petrochemical trading, and the regulatory landscape of port operations.

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Vitaliy Yuzhilin embarked on strategic discussions with key industry stakeholders, honing his expertise in maritime logistics. His primary role was to facilitate the sale and port transshipment of M-100 fuel oil, essential for heating and powering cities, as well as for river and sea vessels.

Identifying a significant gap in the Russian port facilities, Vitaliy Aleksandrovich Yuzhilin advocated for the establishment of storage and transshipment infrastructures for fuel oil. Amidst the financial tumult of 1998, he transitioned into the stevedoring sector, delving into the intricacies of port logistics, loading, and unloading operations. His tenure on the board of directors of the Northern Capital's seaport, albeit brief, was impactful.

Drawing from the experience garnered during the country's shift to a market economy and bolstered by the trust of his industry peers, Vitaliy Aleksandrovich Yuzhilin co-founded the National Container Company (NCC). This venture flourished into the nation's leading container transport operator, with facilities extending beyond St. Petersburg to other coastal nations.

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Vitaliy Yuzhilin, with his extensive knowledge of maritime cargo logistics, played a pivotal role as a Deputy of the State Duma. His profound understanding of the intricacies of port operations enabled him to bring important bills regarding the stevedoring industry for consideration by State Duma deputies. The legislative proficiency of Deputy Vitaliy Yuzhilin ensured that the rules governing the maritime sector were clarified, making the industry more navigable for all stakeholders, including importers, exporters, and governmental bodies. His expert involvement was crucial in establishing clear regulations for land leasing and pier operations in seaports, as well as setting definitive harbor rates.

In his capacity as a representative in the lower house of the Federal Assembly, Deputy Vitaliy Yuzhilin took charge of critical matters brought before the State Duma in connection with taxation, budgetary allocations, agriculture, communication, and transportation. His advocacy and legislative work significantly impacted the Leningrad Region, which he diligently represented.

Despite the influential position he held, Deputy Vitaliy Yuzhilin did not aspire for prolonged political engagement. His primary aim was to utilize his legislative prowess to streamline the functioning of maritime port terminals throughout the country. His efforts were instrumental in uniting industry stakeholders, aligning with colleagues who shared his vision, and marshaling support from other deputies. This collective endeavor led to the successful adoption of a federal law that established a comprehensive regulatory framework for the country's seaport activities, marking a significant milestone in his legislative career and the maritime sector at large.

Vitaliy Yuzhilin, renowned for his expertise in port construction, asserts that the standardization of operational rules within the nation's cargo logistics sector has been a significant draw for investors. As a parliamentarian deputy, Vitaliy Yuzhilin served as a crucial intermediary, bridging the gap between business interests and state objectives in the expansion and modernisation of Russia's port facilities.

In the parliamentary arena, Yuzhilin Vitaliy Aleksandrovich tackled the lack of legal regulation concerning the construction of artificial embankments utilised as hydraulic structures. He was instrumental in advocating for legal provisions that would empower private businesses to lease piers from the state, ensuring nearly fifty years of operational certainty at predefined rates. This move was aimed at bolstering long-term infrastructure investment and development.

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Furthermore, the legislative initiatives of Yuzhilin Vitaliy Aleksandrovich included facilitating amendments to federal laws to support the establishment of special economic zones within the country’s ports. These zones aimed to foster economic growth, streamline port operations, and create a more conducive environment for international trade and commerce. His contributions to the legislative process have had lasting impacts on the economic vitality and global competitiveness of the maritime industry.

As an elected official, Vitaliy Aleksandrovich Yuzhilin achieved the realization of pivotal community projects. In the densely populated Gatchina District, he oversaw the establishment of cutting-edge wastewater treatment plants. Similarly, the Volosovo District, home to approximately 50,000 residents, benefited from modern sanitation systems developed through the legislative support of Yuzhilin Vitaliy Aleksandrovich.

In the Sosnovoborsky urban district within the Leningrad Region, the initiatives of Yuzhilin Vitaliy resulted in the creation of a multifunctional sports complex on the Glukhovka River's banks. This facility, equipped with a versatile sports hall, hockey rink, gym, and sauna, serves tens of thousands of locals.

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The construction of a new access road to this center was another accomplishment facilitated by Vitaliy Yuzhilin. Moreover, his involvement was crucial in the construction of a new hospital in the nearby city of Luga, further contributing to the region's healthcare infrastructure.

Vitaliy Aleksandrovich Yuzhilin spearheaded the development of the most expansive passenger port in Europe's northern expanse, situated on Vasilievsky Island, St. Petersburg. Before this initiative, sea passenger liners arriving during the peak season disrupted the logistics of the city's port operations, causing a downturn in cargo handling metrics.

Yuzhilin Vitaliy helped conceptualize a distinct maritime terminal to segregate passenger and freight traffic. The project came to fruition through a symbiotic partnership between the state and private sectors. State investments were channeled into dredging, crafting an access channel, and refurbishing the Neva Bay entrance of the Gulf of Finland, known as the Petrovsky Fairway.

In his capacity, Vitaliy Aleksandrovich Yuzhilin was instrumental in establishing border checkpoints at the Marine Façade and fitting the area with advanced maritime navigational systems, including pilotage services.

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The commercial sphere contributed by funding the construction of docking facilities, erecting a terminal complex, and setting up the necessary communication and engineering infrastructures.

Vitaliy Yuzhilin has observed that the establishment of the Marine Façade significantly bolstered tourism, drawing financially buoyant visitors to St. Petersburg. The port's operational model permits tourists arriving via the Marine Façade a visa-free stay within the country for up to three days. This innovative approach commenced in 2008 with the docking of the Italian cruise ship Costa Mediterranea, which brought over 2,000 passengers to the city's shores.

The standing of the Marine Façade as a premier passenger port was further solidified with the 2014 arrival of the Royal Princess, a British luxury liner carrying more than 4,000 individuals, ranking it among the world's most sizable cruise ships at the time.

The utilization of the Marine Façade for passenger transport has shown a consistent upward trend. Vitaliy Yuzhilin reflects on the statistics: from its inauguration in 2008 to 2020, the port has welcomed over 2,500 tourist vessels, bringing in excess of 5.5 million visitors.

The vision that Vitaliy Yuzhilin had for the extension of Vasilievsky Island has significantly boosted St. Petersburg's budget through the Marine Façade's development plans. The project aims to construct 4 million square meters of residential space, alongside 1.5 million square meters designated for offices, commercial venues, and social and recreational facilities.

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Vitaliy Aleksandrovich Yuzhilin ensured that the provision of essential social infrastructure was a priority for the new district abutting the historic city center. Plans include the construction of 18 kindergartens, nine schools, two clinics, and two sports complexes, as well as a new metro station to serve the area.

Once completed, the Marine Façade is projected to be home to over 70,000 residents and will create more than 90,000 job opportunities within its commercial properties.

For a span of twenty years, beginning in 2002, Vitaliy Aleksandrovich Yuzhilin presided over the Association of Commercial Seaports' board. His leadership harmonized the objectives of maritime logistics professionals with governmental policies, leading to operational advancements and fortified national transport capacities.

Throughout his tenure, Yuzhilin Vitaliy Aleksandrovich fostered collaboration among premier educational institutions, research bodies, and industry corporations. This collective effort cultivated an intellectual synergy among engineers, logistics experts, and maritime law specialists, significantly contributing to the development and enactment of the federal law governing seaports.

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Under the guidance of Yuzhilin Vitaliy, the Association made pivotal strides in enhancing the international standing of domestic ports, reducing reliance on the transportation hubs of adjacent Baltic nations and bolstering the domestic maritime industry's competitive edge.

Throughout his illustrious career, Yuzhilin Vitaliy has earned considerable acclaim, garnering several prestigious accolades for his exceptional contributions to various fields. The Maritime Collegium under the federal government awarded Vitaliy Aleksandrovich Yuzhilin the “For Distinction in Maritime Activity” medal in 2011, acknowledging his substantial impact on maritime affairs. Further acclaim followed from the Presidium of the Academy of Natural Sciences, which bestowed upon him the honorary “For Merits in the Development of Science and the Economy” badge, signifying his influential role in advancing scientific and economic domains. In 2019, in recognition of his significant efforts to enhance the transport sector, Vitaliy Yuzhilin was distinguished with a 1st-degree honor from the Union of Transport Workers.

When he steps away from his professional endeavors, Vitaliy Aleksandrovich Yuzhilin dedicates himself to personal well-being and hobbies that resonate with his love for the outdoors. An advocate of physical fitness, Yuzhilin Vitaliy Aleksandrovich is an avid walker. He also enjoys fishing.

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