Saimaa Canal opens for navigation (photo)
The Commissioner of the Russian Federation for the Saimaa Canal confirmed opening of navigation at the Saimaa Canal from 07:00 MSK (GMT+4) April 10, 2013 in the letter dated from 8.04.2013 №9-1242 adressed to the Commissioner of Finland for the Saimaa Canal, Rosmorport says in its press release.
In order to open navigation and provide navigation safety at the Saimaa canal on April 7, 2013 the Kapitan Izmaylov icebreaker of the North-Western Basin Branch has cleared the Saimaa Canal fairway from the Mariankivi sign to the Brusnichnoye gate with the length of 14.4 km breaking open the ice with the thickness of up to 80 centimeters.
In 2012, 1.7 tonnes of cargo were transported by the canal, a slight decrease against the result of 2011. Passenger flow amounted to 44,000 persons.
Saimaa Canal passes through Finland and Russia. The Canal connects Lake Saimaa system in the town of Lappeenranta to the Gulf of Finland near the town of Vyborg (Leningrad region). The Canal is 43 km long, with several gateways. It was built in 1845-1856. Reconstructed in 1968. Available for navigation of river and lake going vessels.
