Volume of river vessels freights along Volga-Baltic sea route down by 10% May-Sep, 2009
Volume of river vessels freights along Volga-Baltic sea route decreased by almost 10% (to 13.3 million tons) in May-September, 2009 as compared to the navigation figures of 2008 (both directions – towards the Volga and the Baltic Sea). Vladimir Nikolaev, Head of GBU Volgo-Balt, informed PortNews IAA on the matter.
As per the operative information, timber cargo volumes decreased by 42%, those of construction materials fell by 40% within the reporting period. At the same time shipments of metals increased by 73%, of chemical cargoes – by 33%, of oil products – by 10% and of other cargoes - by 14% including flux shipments to Cherepovets that amounted to about 2,000,000 tons within 2009 navigation period.
As per Vladimir Nikolaev’s estimation, total cargo turnover decrease of 2009 navigation will amount to 10% (16.5 million tons of cargo) as compared to the same period of 2008.
Head of GBU Volgo-Balt reminded that in the beginning of the navigation that in 2009 started two weeks later than usually because of bad weather conditions cargo turnover decrease reached almost 20% mark as compared to the corresponding period of 2008. Situation became more regular since August, pointed out Vladimir Nikolaev.
Volgo-Balt freight transit navigation is expected to be closed approximately on November 15, 2009.
Volgo-Balt is one of the most important main waterways which constitutes a single deepwater system of inland water routes of the European Part of Russia. It is a complex of engineering objects that consists of 4,900 km of waterways in operation, including 3,270 km of those with guaranteed dimensions, 11 gateways of 11-18 m pressure height, 25 earth embankments and dams, 12 ferry crossings, 9 bridge crossings, 8 light towers in the Ladoga Lake, over 5,000 navigable situation marks, 273 units of service fleet.