ODESA, DECEMBER 20th, 2010, CONTEXT-PRICHERNOMORIE — 1401ships have navigated through the Bystroye Channel within the period of January—November 2010, Context-Prichernomorie correspondent reports.

The agency has been informed about it today, 20 December, at the press service of GE Delta-Pilot.

According to the information provided, 1401 ships in 2010 is 137 units or 11 percent more than during the same period in 2009.

The positive dynamics of the number of navigation in Ukrainian part of the Danube Delta has also been confirmed by the indices of November 2010. In November 2010 Ukrainian channel was ahead of its Romanian rival by 11%, offering its services to transport over 150 thousand tons of cargoes.

According to the experts, after the channel has been launched full-force, about 60% of the Danube cargo flow will go via the Ukrainian part of the Danube.

Vessels flagged Ukraine, Russia, Georgia, Moldova, Bulgaria, Kampuchea, Antigua and Barbuda, Panama, Malta, Turkey, the Netherlands and Belize. 44% of an overall amount of vessels were flying the Ukrainian flag.

INFORMATION: The Bystroye Channel (also known as the Danube-Black Sea Channel) is a channel in the Danube Delta. It was among the main Ukrainian waterways until 1959, when its exploitation stopped due to natural silting. There was a project proposed by Ukraine to reopen its navigation. According to official Ukrainian plans, it was to be completed in 2008. Technical characteristics of the “Danube – Black Sea” channel: total length – 172,2 kilometres, the route through the natural estuaries passes: the port of Reni – Izmail Cusp – 44,1 kilometres; Izmail Cusp – port of Vilkovo – 98 kilometres; port of Vilkovo – Black Sea – 17 kilometres Ship navigation is twenty-four-hour, both ways and regulated. The construction of the levee was necessary to diminish siltation of the canal and reduce the pollutions.