OREANDA-NEWS. December 8, 2008. In January-November 2008, the ports of Azov-and-Don Basin handled 18.288 million tonnes of cargo (-9.9%, year-on-year), said the materials provided by Azov-and-Don State Basin Department.

The Department attributes the decrease to global economic crisis Azov-and-Don Basin and low water level in the Don mouth during autumn navigation.

In particular, transit of oil cargo fell by 4.2%, year-on-year, to 3.927 million tonnes, sulfur – by 53.5% to 1.326 million tonnes, alumina – by 18.4% to 192,200 tonnes, scrap metal – by 27% to 1.308 million tonnes.

In the reported period, transportation of cement grew 6-fold to 1.402 million tonnes, coal – by 12.2% to 1.614 million tonnes, ferrous metal – by 27% to 323,100 tonnes.
The competence of Azov-Don State Basin Department covers 800 kilometers of waterways.