Navigation season has been closed on inland water ways of Russia’s Volga-Don Basin. On 25 November 2018, it was closed at the Volgograd hydrosystem, on 28 November 2018 - on the Volga-Don Shipping Canal. According to Rosmorrechflot (Federal Marine and River Transport Agency), hydrological conditions were favorable for shipping.
Preliminary results of cargo traffic in the Basin show a slight increase: 15.992 million tonnes (up 1%, year-on-year).
The number of lock operations during the navigation season – 85,555 (down 1%, year-on-year). The number of vessels passing the locks declined by 4% to 10,977.
Aids to navigation were in operation for 221 days. The number of aids to navigation involved – 858 (453 floating and 405 shore ones) including 625 lighted aids to navigation.
Guaranteed depth was ensured between Volgograd and Volgodonsk – 311 km.
Volga-Don Basin Administration covers 2,187.5 km of waterways including 509 km of wareways with guaranteed dimensions.
The scope of dredging works performed during the navigation season - 400,200 cbm.
Maintenance work involved 29 vessels including 14 buoy tenders, 4 dredgers, 5 floating cranes, 4 snag boats and 3 channel survey crafts.