OREANDA-NEWS. October 5, 2007. In January-September 2007, the ports of Azov-and-Don Basin increased their throughput by 17%, year-on-year, to 15.4 million tonnes, Gudok.Ru reports quoting the Azov-and-Don Basin Department. According to the source export of coal grew 7.3 times (from 158,000 tonnes to 1.5 million tonnes). Export of grain, oil crop and derived products grew by 17% (from 2.8 to 3.3 million tonnes). Export of oil products totaled 3 million tonnes, which is similar to the result of the previous year. The Department attributes the growth to favorable weather conditions in winter 2006-2007 and attractive terms of sea and river transportation for exporters.

“In 2007, the seaport of Azov became the main transshipment point for Kuzbass coal transported to Turkey and Ukraine. Besides, much more grain was transported by small vessels from the ports of the Azov-and-Don Basin to Kerch for further loading onto ocean dry cargo carriers to be delivered to Lebanon, Libya, Israel, Turkey and other countries of the Mediterranean Sea.