General Description
Location: Rostov-on-Don is a river port on the Don, approx 16nm from the port of Azov and approx 24nm from the mouth of the Don River, including 13.5nm of the Azovo-Donskoi Canal from the Gulf of Taganrog.
General overview: The shallow canal and the Don permit entry of vessels with max draught of 3.6m. The port is open from Mar to Nov. All year-round navigation is possible if the winter is mild. Navigation in winter is maintained with the help of ice breakers but is limited by the lifting railway bridge which is opened for shipping at 1000hrs and 1800hrs. If the temperature falls below 7°C the bridge is not lifted and vessels can be blocked at the port.
If required, a pilot, tug and bunkers can be ordered. The port handles metals, timber, hardboards, plywood, grain, salt in bulk, ore, clay, chemical products (bulk and bagged), general cargo, paper, pipes, metal scrap and containers (20ft and 40ft).
Traffic figures: Approx 3,000,000t of cargo handled annually. Max size: Draught 3.6m, 5,000DWT.