Ports of Azov-and-Don Basin increase throughput by 18% in Jan-Oct 07, y-o-y

In January-October 2007, the ports of the Azov-and-Don Basin increased their throughput by 18%, year-on-year, to 18.064 million tonnes (against 15.309 million tonnes in 2006), Azov-and-Don Basin Department reports. Coal export grew from 175,000 tonnes to 1.272 million tonnes (7.2-fold increase), agricultural goods – from 3.244 million tonnes to 4.096 million tonnes (+26%), sulfur – from 1.983 million tonnes to 2.622 million tonnes (+32%). The Department attributes the growth in the sector of coal and sulfur transportation to attractive conditions for exporters. “As for agricultural goods, there is a stable demand for it at the world market,” the source added.