The role of land transport in Bessarabian commerce (1812-1853)

The article analyses Bessarabian logistics infrastructure and its influence on the commerce of the region and discusses different aspects of the problem. First of all, aspects of evolution of the main commercial roads between 1812 and 1853 are studied. The advantages and disadvantages of carting, the main means of transportation in this period are discussed. An important problem that we tried to elucidate is the administration of the Dniester and Prut crossings, and also the question of concessions. Problems of construction of railways in Bessarabia, costs of transportation, social aspects of carting, etc., are addressed. The conclusions are as follows:

Firstly, the process of application for concessions of the Prut and Dniester crossings were much bureaucratized – the procedure could take up to a year, and the decisions could be made by the General Governor of Novorossia or the Minister of Communications. The most important crossings were at Bender, Akkerman and Maiaki. Their importance was due to the increasing role of Odessa seaport for Bessarabian commerce. Secondly, the costs of transportation by means of carting could reach up to half the price of the delivered cereals. Carting was possible during short dry periods when the peasantry was not occupied in agricultural works, and these were the biggest disadvantages of carting. Thirdly, the absence of an infrastructure able to satisfy the growing needs of the agricultural producers could lead eventually to a profound economical crisis.