Since the ancient times the Novorossiysk harbor was attractive for sailors. Because of its convenient geographical position, mild climate conditions and protection from winds the place was chosen for building of military fortification which has later on turned into the city. According to the decree of the emperor Nicolas I in June of 1845 the foundation of Novorossiysk port was laid. At that time grain was the major export product while the timber goods were shipped through Novorossiysk and other Black Sea ports in small volumes.

Before the revolution in Russia the major part of export timber goods was shipped through the ports of Archangelsk and St. Petersburg. The situation has changed after the revolution in 1917 when the export of timber goods through southern port started gathering pace.

In the year 1926 the JSC “Exportles” was established and as time went by the company became an exclusive seller of export timber goods in Russia.

Within the period from 1930-1931 in Novorossiysk port there was established a separate section with berths and exchange office for export operations which was called “Novorossiysk port office “Exportles”. Since this moment the history of the JSC “Novoroslesexport” begins.

This was a period of rapid growth, increase of industrial capacities and construction of the approaching ways; the timber export operations were mechanized and the berths were repaired. Seven years later the Novorossiysk port office “Exportles” has concentrated all timber export operations within the south of USSR.

The enterprise was mostly unloading the railway cars and loading the vessels with timber goods for their further shipment abroad. In order to increase the rate of performance of works “Exportles” has purchased some new machinery including foreign lumber carriers, stacker-trucks etc. At this time dispatching was involved.

Before the World War II the export of timber goods has considerably decreased and the port office “Exportles” was abolished. Instead of it in 1945 the timber transshipment base “Glavsnab” was established in order to perform the reception of timber goods coming from Romania. These goods were applied for reconstruction of our country ruined by the war. At that time only 45 people were employed at the enterprise.

Until 1955 the timber transshipment base was mostly dealing with transshipment of oak and beech. The intensive export operations were resumed since 1956. According to the decree of USSR Council of Ministers № 803-406 of June 14, 1956 the “Glavsnab” base was reorganized into Novorossiysk Timber port of USSR Ministry of timber industry. At that time about 500 people were employed at the port.

Meanwhile the timber port was getting supplied with new machinery. By the end of 1956 there were 11 fork-lift trucks, 12 lumber-carriers and 5 trucks. For the purpose of output expansion the enterprise was provided with a territory of swamp lands located alongside the Tsemes river. The total territory of the enterprise was 28,05 hectares.

The volume of timber export kept growing and in 1956 the cargo turnover of Timber port has reached 66 400 m³ and became two times bigger the year after. In order to provide further growth of export volumes the enterprise was to enlarge the existing warehouse areas and to increase its output.

In seventies the volumes of timber shipment have considerably increased some years reaching up to 1 million m³. This success may somewhere be explained by application of new technologies such as shipment of timber materials in hard transport packages and stowage of sawn timber 1,5 - 2,75 m long with no separation.

At the same time the construction of timber handling complex was completed, the approaching ways were equipped with powerful cranes and the secured warehouse for storage of metal was built.

The JSC” Novoroslesexport” as it is now starts its history since 1992. Becoming a joint-stock company and entering the market were the key factors for the enterprise to activate its further development. Presently the JSC” Novoroslesexport” is a big universal port providing 24 hour performance of loading operations. Yet it is the only port in the south of Russia specialized in transshipment of timber goods.