Cargo turnover of the port of Azov (Rostov region) declined 53% in January-November 2006 over the same period last year amounting to 740 thou tons, Yugmedia.ru reports. In the 11-month period export of steel totaled 197 thou tons (-71.3% year-on-year), export of metal scrap - 137 thou tons (- 64.9%), grain – 144.2 thou tons (- 61.4% year-on-year).
Export of coal grew by over 76.7% to 228 thou tons, other cargo – by 6.3% to 34 thou tons. The port’s administration attributes the decrease to bad weather in January-February 2006 as well as to changed destination of ferrous metal flow from Magnitogorsk integrated iron-and-steel works. Today, the works’ products go to Yeisk seaport circum the Azov-and-Don Basin.