Saimaa Canal navigation closed from 26 January 2017 (photo)
The Saimaa Canal navigation is closed from 26 January 2017, says press center of Russia’s Federal Marine and River Transport Agency (Rosmorrechflot). The ceremony was attended by Konstantin Stasyuk, deputy head of Rosmorrechflot, a member of the Russian delegation headed by Sergei Aristov, State Secretary, Deputy Transport Minister of Russia, Authorised Delegate of the Russian Federation for the Saimaa Canal.
In the framework of the meeting with Harri Pursiainen, Permanent Secretary of Finland's Ministry of Transport and Communications, Authorised Delegate for the Saimaa Canal, results of cargo and passenger traffic of the Saimaa Canal in 2016 were discussed as well as the Canal lease issues. The parties signed a document on the Saimaa Canal navigation period and the Saimaa Canal fairway for 2017.
Besides, the parties discussed implementation of the Agreement between the Government of the Russian Federation and the Government of the Republic of Finland on Cooperation and Interaction in Icebreaker Assistance in the Baltic Sea, and the results of the 37th meeting of Russian-Finnish Mixed Commission on Maritime Shipping held on 25 January 2017 in Helsinki.
The Saimaa Canal connects the Saimaa water area Saimaa Lakeland from Lappeenranta (Finland) to the Gulf of Finland via Vyborg (Russia). Its total length is 57.3 km including 34 km in Russia and 23.3 km in Finland. The Saimaa Canal sea fairway is 14.4 km long. The Canal is available for navigation of river, lake and sea going vessels.
Opening and closing of navigation at the Saimaa Canal is every time confirmed by the Authorised Delegate of the Russian Federation for the Saimaa Canal depending on the ice situation. On the average, the navigation season lasts for 275 days (9 months).
The Canal links inland water ways of the eastern Finland with the coastal and inland ports of Europe. Timber, construction materials, fertilizers, cellulose, paper, coal and sawn timber make the bulk of Saimaa Canal traffic.
Related link:
Russia and Finland sign Protocol to Agreement on Lease of Saimaa Canal (photo) >>>>
