In early May, Yenisei River Shipping Company vessels set off to the Podkamennaya Tunguska River, thus commencing the navigation season in 2016. Meanwhile, at the ports of Krasnoyarsk and Lesosibirsk, bulk freighters and non-self-propelled barges are loaded with reinforced concrete products, cement, metal structures, containers with foodstuff, machinery, and building materials, whilst oil tankers are filled with fuel.

According to Hydro-Meteorological Centre of Russia, the ice drift on the Podkamennaya Tunguska River is expected on May 8-10; therefore, the ships are to reach the river mouth before the ice starts floating, and to enter the tributary on the high water as soon as the ice is driven ashore.

The last fully loaded ship is to depart from Krasnoyarsk on May 7, and from Lesosibirsk — on May 8. The entire caravan of fleet vessels is to enter the waters the PodkamennayaTunguska River tributary on May 12.

The Podkamennaya Tunguska River is considered one of the most difficult rivers in Russia to navigate due to its swift-flowing streams, numerous rapids, ledge rocks, and circuitous course. River vessel operators have only 10 to 14 days to complete seasonal deliveries to the northernmost regions of the country and leave the river before it becomes too shallow.

The vessels of Yenisei River Shipping Company will totally deliver about 15,000 tons of various cargoes, including essential supplies for remote northern villages and settlements: Sulomai, Kuzmovka, Burny, Poligus, Baykit, Kuyumba, Osharovo, Miryuga, Vanavara, and others.

Furthermore, the company will engage almost 40 tankers to deliver over 12 kt of crude oil across the Podkamennaya Tunguska River to the Nizhnyaya Tunguska River: from Slavyanka base (the Kuyumba deposit) to Tura settlement.

Upon completion of the delivery on the Podkamennaya Tunguska in mid-May, Yenisei Shipping Company fleet will start operating on the Nizhnyaya Tunguska and the Angara Rivers.

Throughout the 2016 navigation season, the company plans to transport approximately 3.7 million tons of freight. As many as 460 various vessels, such as dry-cargo motor ships, tankers, oil and bulk-cargo flattop barges, tugboats and floating cranes, will ensure prompt and regular delivery of cargoes.

Yenisei River Shipping Company Commences Cargo Shipping Season