OREANDA-NEWS On 18 February 2009 was announced, that delegation of the Federal Agency for Sea and Inland Water Transport visited Petrozavodsk. Prime Minister of the Government of Karelia Pavel Chernov met with the Federal Agency Director Alexander Davydenko.

Primary purpose of the delegation's visit is inspection of hydraulic facilities of the region. For this purpose Alexander Davydenko will visit the 10 and the 11 locks of the White Sea - Baltic channel. The inspection is held in winter, because repair of hydraulic facilities is implemented now. The work goes rapidly, as it shpould be completed by April when the navigation starts.

- Hydraulic facilities, including the White Sea - Baltic channel, are not in a very good condition, - Alexander Davydenko has told. - There is a federal program to adjust them in accordance with safety regulations. There also is a program of joint of actions with Karelia.

Federal funds are allocated to maintain waterways of the republic. Since 2004 investment have grown three times. This year, despite of the crisis, it has been allocated one and a half times more money than in the previous year.

"Our task is to fill the gap of financing which existed in the last 15 years. During this time almost no money was invested in hydraulic facilities, - director of the Federal Agency for Sea and Inland Water Transport has declared. - Waterway means greater workload for the local industry. In fact, one workplace in transport industry accumulates five workplaces in the economy as work of builders and operation of factories, delivery of supplies, equipment of locks."

Goods traffic of water transport will grow, Alexander Davydenko has assured. In his opinion, waterways are tens times more efficient and hundreds times more safe, than any other way transport. In Europe they are already building channels for transportation of cargoes. Significant part of cargoes in Russia is also delivered by water now.

Prime Minister of Karelia Pavel Chernov has noted, that there is no reduction of freight traffic in Karelia. On the contrary, it is more likely, that this year inland waterways of the republic will increase the traffic volume.