OREANDA-NEWS. April 05, 2010. Freight traffic passing through the ports of Azov-Don Basin in January-March 2010 grew by 22.9% as compared with the same period last year, up to 2.189.160 tons. The volumes rose thanks to increased coal exports, by 80.5%, to 327.300 tons, as well as growth in export shipments of petroleum products from terminals port of Rostov-on-Don and Azov (HFO shipments added 261.000 tons).

In Q1, 2010 agriproducts exports remained unchanged, at 1.207.800 tons, just 99.9% of the 2009’s level. The ports showed a major slump in exports of sunflower oil and meal (-26.000 tons and 32.000 tons), as well as in the import of cement from the ports of Turkey (-50.000 tons from 2009).

Cargo turnover during winter navigation (December 2009 - March 2010) at the ports of Azov-Don Basin exceeded forecasted figures by 12.8% and amounted to 3.385 million tons. Previously, the throughput record there was reported in winter navigation of 2006-2007, at 2 million 810 thousand tons.

The Azov-Don State Basin Department of Waterways is responsible for traffic safety management on the Don River from Tsimlyansk reservoir to the Azov Sea (save the Constantine and Nikolaev waterworks facilities), and the Azov-Don canal in the north-eastern part of Taganrog Bay. Besides, the Dept. is responsible for shipping along the rivers Seversky Donets and Manich. The total length of the Basin is 800 km. In 2009 the Azov-Don Basin ports showed a 9% gain over 2008’s numbers, 20.781 million tons.