Dmitry Medvedev has signed a decree on the appropriation of funds in the 2014 inter-budget transfers for the reconstruction of Ro-Ro / Train ferry line in the port of Kerch, the Kremlin press office said.
Current annual capacity of Kavkaz – Kerch ferry line is about 4 million tonnes. The expansion project will increase the ferry service capacity to at least 8 million tonnes.
The document was submitted pursuant to the Russian Transport Ministry list of presidential orders on transportation development.
Due to limitations on the delivery of goods into the territory of the Crimean peninsula by overland transport through the territory of Ukraine, Russia has to invest in the development of ro-ro / train / passenger ferry services in the sea port of Kerch and to launch additional voyages of ships (including high-speed crafts), the document reads.
Presently, loading / unloading of rail cars at the Port of Kavkaz is performed by using two ferry bridges with only one bridge at the port of Kerch.
There are two 25-cars train ferries ("Petrovsk" and "Annenkov") operating on the Kavkaz – Kerch line, which could make daily up to eight two-way voyages.
Construction of the second ferry bridge in the port of Kerch will enable to expand the line capacity to 8 million tonnes of cargo and to deploy two additional car ferries ("Slavonian" and "Vanguard") with a capacity of 45-50 rail cars, capable of performing four round voyages a day.
The ferry line overhaul project includes:
- creation of northern part of the port harbour waters water area, dredging works, building / reconstruction of water development facilities (north and south breakwaters, northern berth and a pier), shore protection;
- building a second ferry bridge;
- deployment of all necessary aids to navigation.