In 2007, the volume of cargo transported by inland waterways of the Russian Federation grew by 9.5%, year-on-year, deputy Transport Minister of RF told at a regular meeting of the Association of Shipping Companies on March 18. In the reported period, throughput of river ports grew by 17.6%, year-on-year. At the same time, the growth rates are not high enough.
One of the instruments to solve the problems is a special-purpose program developed by the RF Ministry of Transport. The Program on the Development of Russia’s Transport System in 2010-2015 will be considered by the RF Government in early April. One of its subprograms is dedicated to Inland Water Transport. Infrastructure of inland waterways is to get considerable investments for the first time throughout a long period. According to Misharin, one of the priorities is to improve safety of inland waterways. In view of this task the Ministry of Transport and the Association approved a number of additional activities to be implemented in 2008.