In the recent years there has been a steady trend in lowering of the Caspian Sea level that has led to considerable changes in the hydrological regime of the Volga-Caspian Seaway Canal. In this connection FSUE “Rosmorport” had to increase the yearly volumes of dredging at the canal almost twice in comparison with 2013.

In 2015 the enterprise performed repair dredging in the amount of more than 4 mln cubic metres, which will help vessels with the draught up to 4.2 metres to navigate safely. In 2016 the enterprise is going to perform repair dredging in the amount of 5.8 mln cubic metres.

Considerable material and economic effects in canal repairs have been reached by the enterprise due to its own dredging fleet: dredgers I. Cheremisinov, A. Volynsky and Urengoy have excavated more than 2 mln m3 of soil. In order to optimize costs of navigation safety support, FSUE “Rosmorport” is implementing a number of works aimed at the expansion of its dredging fleet: in 2016 the enterprise is planning to construct of a pipeline dredge similar to the A. Volynsky dredger.
It should be noted as well that special institutes perform environmental monitoring of the work areas and earth dump areas while repair dredging works are being carried out by order of FSUE “Rosmorport”. Besides, compensation activities have been implemented to compensate for the damage to fish stock by release of the carp and sturgeon fry.

The Volga-Caspian Seaway Canal is the only deep water way connecting the Volga river and the Caspian Sea waterays. The length of its river and sea parts is 188 kilometres. Dredging works are conducted at the canal every year in accordance with the “Project to conduct repair dredging works at 0-188 kilometres of the Volga-Caspian Seaway Canal up to 2018 and elaborate environmental activities. Sea part”, which has received a positive assessment of the State Environmental Expert Board.