Navigation 2006 has been closed at the Neva river (Saint Petersburg). As PortNews IAA was told at Volgo-Balt SBA, at night from December 4 to December 5 the last scheduled drawing of Saint Petersburg bridges was performed for transit of seven vessels in the direction of the Baltic sea. Planned navigation period was terminated at night from November 29 to November 30. According to preliminary data provided by Mostotrest FSUE, over 4.5 thou vessels passed draw bridges of the Neva river in 2006 (-40% against navigation 2005).
As PortNews IAA informed earlier, transit along Volga-Baltic water way was terminated on November 16, SBA Volgo-Balt told PortNews IAA. Navigation 2006 result of Volgo-Balt is the following: 5.5 thou vessels (-36% against navigation 2005). According to preliminary data, the decrease was demonstrated by all types of cargo excluding transportation of construction cargo, which had a slight increase. Maximum decrease was demonstrated in the sector of oil products transportation.
Volgo-Balt (Volga-Baltic waterway) is one of the most significant water routes comprising integrated deep-water system of inland waterways of Russia’s European part. It is a complex of engineering facilities uniting 4900 kilometers of operated waterways including 3270 kilometers with guaranteed dimensions, 11 locks with water lift from 11 to 18 meters, three water-power stations, 25 earth dikes and dams, 12 ferry crossings, 9 bridge crossings, 8 lighthouses in the Ladoga lake, over 5000 signs of navigation situation, 273 units of service fleet.
Volgo-Balt State Basin Authority is a territorial body managing river transport under Transport Ministry of the Russian Federation. Major tasks of Volgo-Balt SBA are maintenance and development of waterways and hydraulic engineering structures; public regulation of river transport activities within the competence of state authorities; activities aimed at navigation, ecological and fire safety; ship-traffic supervisory control and state piloting.