Remote Control: Russia Moves Toward Managing Industrial Assets from Afar
FinInvest Group has upgraded the infrastructure of its Sibirsky rail transport and logistics terminal (TLC) in Novosibirsk, introducing remote-controlled operations to handle rising cargo volumes.
By 2026, throughput at the Sibirsky TLC reached 600,000 TEU. To handle growing cargo flows, three new rail-mounted gantry cranes with remote control were brought online, powered by the Solvo.TOS system. Operators now manage equipment remotely from an office: the system automatically assigns tasks, while video monitoring provides full visibility across the site.
The upgrade has improved efficiency: a single operator can now oversee up to three cranes, staff workload has declined, and the impact of human error has been reduced. Full integration of Solvo.TOS with billing, the customer portal and the terminal’s accounting systems has cut train handling time to as little as 1.5 hours. The company plans to expand digital services, enhance the client portal and introduce digital twins of the terminal to further improve logistics performance.
Universal Platform for Digital Logistics
Solvo.TOS is a platform for ports and terminals that automates cargo and transport operations and matches global counterparts. Developed by Solvo, a Russian digital logistics company, the system supports technological independence through compatibility with the domestic Linux-based Red OS for servers and PCs. Its flexibility has attracted a broad customer base, including sea and river ports, inland terminals, logistics hubs, industrial companies and 3PL providers.
The ecosystem also includes Android applications for day-to-day terminal operations. For warehouses, Solvo.WMS supports retail, 3PL and pharmaceutical use cases, while Solvo.YMS improves yard management and Solvo.TMS streamlines delivery operations. Together, these products integrate seamlessly with each other and with equipment, enabling a unified digital environment for managing logistics processes.
Efficiency Proven in Practice
The functionality of Solvo.TOS aligns with the Port 4.0 concept. This transformation goes beyond upgrading crane operations – it also marks a shift toward a new industrial operating model in Russia.
That effectiveness is already visible in real deployments. At the Petrolesport marine terminal, operated by Global Ports, Solvo.TOS has automated bulk container handling and fertilizer accounting. All cargo types and operations are managed through a single interface. The system not only coordinates on-site work but also generates electronic documents and maintains end-to-end tracking. As a result, berth productivity has increased by 30–50%.
The Artem dry port logistics hub in the Russian Far East, part of FinInvest Group, has implemented the platform for process and document management. Integration with Russian Railways’ ETRAN system has automated rail documentation, cutting waybill preparation time from 1.5 hours to just 15 minutes.
A similar approach was implemented at the Aktau Sea Trade Port in Kazakhstan, where Solvo.Billing automated handling of general, bulk and roll-on/roll-off cargo, improving billing transparency. The system was also integrated with the port’s ERP system and connected to external services through a dedicated data exchange gateway. The port now operates on a single digital platform, accelerating document workflows and reducing error risks.
From Pilots to Strategy
Solvo’s solutions reflect a broader shift in Russian industry from isolated automation to full-scale digital management of industrial assets. In recent years, remote-control technologies have been deployed more widely. Since 2023, for example, remote operations have been used in the finishing section of a continuous casting machine at EVRAZ ZSMK. The pilot proved successful, and in 2025 EVRAZ incorporated the technology into its core digital business framework.
Remote crane control is also part of Severstal’s large-scale IT program “Unmanned Technologies,” which focuses on transferring hazardous operations to automated systems and improving production efficiency. In 2026, a pilot project was launched in the pickling department of rolling shop No. 1 at the Cherepovets facility of Severstal-Metiz.
Shaping a New Industrial Model
In the near future, remote-control technologies are expected to scale across industries with hazardous working conditions and move toward greater autonomy. The role of Russian system integrators is also likely to grow, as they shift from offering standalone solutions to delivering comprehensive industrial IT platforms. Projects like Solvo.TOS are already beginning to shape a new operational model for Russia’s industrial sector.
