In the first quarter of 2007, throughput of Rostovski Port OJSC grew 2.8-fold, year-on-year, to 254.9 thou tons, the port’s administration reports according to Yugmedia. Over the reported period export grew 3.5-fold to 129.4 thou tons. Transshipment of import cargo grew 2.4-fold to 125.1 thou tons. Major share of cargo turnover falls on alumina, metal scrap, ferrous metal and bentonite clay.
The port’s administration attributes the growth to warm weather in winter 2006 – 2007, which enabled dispatch and acceptance of cargo going by transit via the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. Due to heavy frosts of winter 2005 - 2006 the vessels could only be lead across these seas with the help of icebreakers, which resulted in lower throughput of the port.