Sergei Gaidayev: “Construction of Bagayevsky hydrosystem is the only solution for debottlenecking of Lower Don”

Sergei Gaidayev, Head of Azov-Don Basin Administration FSI, talks IAA PortNews through the results of the navigation season 2015, optimization of fleet operations at the Lower Don and prospects of the waterways development.

Transit navigation of 2015 was marked by abnormally low water level within the Azov-Don river basin: the level of Tsymlyansky storage reservoir sank to a fresh 30-year low. Nevertheless, navigation season at the Lower Don lasted from April 1 till early December. 

— Mr. Gaidayev, let us congratulate you on successful closing of Azov-Don River Basin navigation.  What are the results of this year navigation?

—In 2015, cargo transportation within the Azov-Don Basin totaled 8,705,000 t, a 61-pct increase against the navigation of 2014 (14,276,000t). Transit cargo transportation totaling 7,470,000 t and domestic cargo flow of 1,235,000 t saw a proportional fall due to low water level.

Transportation of oil product accounted for 62.6% (5,452,000 t) – dry cargo – for 37.4% (3,253,000 t). Heavy fuel oil makes the bulk of cargo flows – 35.6% (3,097,000 t), sulphur – 14.6% (1,270,000 t), diesel fuel – 11.2% (971,000 t).

Total number of calls within the boundaries of Azov-Don Basin Administration made 85.4% of the previous year result – 6,875 units including 3,419 units going down the river and 3,456 units going up the river. … Some companies redirected their fleet to other lines because of low water level.

… When the navigation period of 2014 was closed the level of Tsymlyansky storage reservoir was as low as 31.63 m BS. It failed to reach its design level of 36.0 m BS in winter and during the flood period, it climbed only to 32.54 which is the 30-year low.

Discharge volumes set at the level of 250 cbm/s were much lower than guaranteed ones (340 cbm/s as prescribed by Tsymlyansky reservoir rules) and they were decreased to 200 cbm/s from July 11 and to 180 cbm/s from September 1 up ti the end of navigation season. 

As we were aware of the low water situation before the navigation season began, we introduced draft limits for vessels sailing in the basin. From April 1 till July 31 it was set at 290 cm, from August 1 till August 31 — 270 cm, from September 1 till the end of navigation - 250 cm. 

Actual depth was updated daily at the website of Azov-Don Basin Administration. Minimum depth was registered in September - 250-270 cm.

— You started preparations for the challenging navigation period before the navigation season began. What was the Operations Headquarters established for?

— As early as in March we initiated the meeting involving the Federal Marine and River Transport Agency (Rosmorrechflot), Russian Chamber of Shipping and large shipping companies operating in the region.

Actually we discussed the issue of not opening the navigation. Yet it was decided to open it on April 1 and to coordinate the operations through the Operations Headquarters. That was a joint decision of Rosmorrechflot and Russian Chamber of Shipping. 

I was appointed the Head of the Headquarters which operated throughout the navigation period. All in all we held 12 meetings.

Major decisions of the OH were focused on preservation of the Tsymlyansky reservoir’s resources, ensuring of Lower Don navigation and coordination of activities for safe navigation. With the comprehensive approach we were able to ensure safe navigation at the most challenging parts of the waterways. 

The number of incidents involving vessels and hydraulic engineering structures has reduced 3-fold against the navigation season of 2014 – only 4 incidents against 11 incidents in 2014. 

— How did you arrange the lightering of vessels for passing bottlenecks? 

— In compliance with the OH decision, Azov-Don Basin Administration has selected and prepared five places for lightering of vessels. Agreements were signed with interested shipping companies, special signs were installed and dredging operations were performed. We excavated 710,900 cbm of material.

The process was regulated so that we saw new vessels waiting for lightering. Shipping company Palmali was licensed for lightering operations as far as in 2012. Five more companies have obtained the required licenses this year – V.F.Tanker LLC, BashVolgoTanker CJSC, Volga Tanker Company LLC, SV-Tanker LLC and Bunker-Trade LLC. Four more companies are preparing for the next navigation period. 

Total number of lightering operations – 482. 420 t of cargo was transshipped including 357,000 t of oil products and 63,000 t of dry cargo. No licensing is required for dry cargo except for sulphur which was handled only at Ust-Donetsk port via a specialized terminal. 

Before commencing transshipment activities each company held exercises attended by the representatives of the Ministry for Emergencies and our Administration. The results were thoroughly analyzed and the crews were instructed to escape the mistakes made during the exercises. In the result, no oil spills occurred during off-harbour transshipment of oil products in the navigation period of 2015!

— What is the forecast for the navigation season of 2016? 

— Multi-year storage of the Tsymlyansky reservoir has been exhausted. It minimum level of 31.16 m BS has slightly increased to current 31.29 m BS. When we have the snow forecasts we will know how much water is going to come to the Tsymlyansky reservoir. With this in mind we will develop discharge schedules for spring and summer periods.

There is a possibility of the situation to repeat. Therefore, the experience of this year should be preserved.

— Construction of Bagayevsky hydrosystem is crucial amid low water level, isn’t it? 

— Construction of Bagayevsky hydrosystem is the only solution for debottlenecking of the Unified Deepwater System of Russia’s European part. It was planned as early as during the construction of Volga-Don Ship Canal. The project implied the construction of the VDSC and Tsymlyansky reservoir at the initial phase, Nikolayevsky and Konstantinovsky hydrosystems at the second phase as well as Bagayevsky and Aksaysky hydrosystems at the final phase. 

First two phases have been completed with third one put off due to different reasons including the economic problems. Yet, we have returned to this issue today. Experts have found out that the depth of meters cannot be achieved without construction of the Bagayevsky hydrosystem. Designing is to take two years with the construction to last for three years. These terms are quite realistic. Then we will have a new hydrosystem by 2020 and the bottleneck at the Lower Don river will disappear.

If we had the sufficient water level and the companies that had shifted their cargo flows returned to the Lower Don we would be able to carry some 15-16.5 m of cargo. With the Bagayevsky hydrosystem built, the fleet can be loaded to the draft of 380 cm. Vessels of new projects that carry 7,500 t in the sea can be loaded with 5,500 t in the river. Cargo flows will grow at once. As carrying capacity rather than traffic capacity is increased it is more profitable for ship owners.

Interviewed by Elena Tkacheva