Rosmorrechflot is against transition of navigable hydraulic structures

Federal Agency of Marine and River Transport (Rosmorrechflot) considers transition of management over navigable hydraulic structures to the Ministry of natural resources to be an unreasonable step, Alexander Davydenko, head of Rosmorrechflot, said at extended meeting of Transport Ministry board. According to Davydenko such a transition may change the balance of logistics chain, extension of cargo delivery period and, consequently, it may result in growing carrier costs, inefficient management of inland waterways infrastructure. Besides, it may decrease shipping safety and increase the number of accidents. Besides it would need many changes in legislation and financing. Igor Levitin, Minister of Transport, says the issue on transition of Rosmorrechflot’s assets, will be considered by the government on December 15, 2006. All in all, Russia has 30 thou waterworks including 723 navigable hydraulic structures.