The main objective of the Volga-Don Canal this year’s navigation is a 10 percent increase in volumes shipped through the canal, says Igor Koblev, the head of Volga-Don State Basin Waterway and Navigation. The statement was made during a visit yesterday of Gennady Churikov, the first deputy head of administration of the Volgograd region and Vice-Governor Alexander Bykasov, the press service of regional administration said.

To achieve this objective, Mr. Kovlev said, the authorities have been implementing an ambitious canal reconstruction project. The project investments by state-run company for this year exceeds almost a threefold the previous expenses. The fund spent will allow smooth and safe ship navigation via the canal and boost the total fright traffic.

In 2009 8.16 million tons of cargoes were shipped through the Volga-Don canal and over 90.000 transits.