This year the Caspian Shipping Company (CSC) intends to receive 26 permissions for passage via the Russias interior waters. An inquiry for permission has been sent to the Russian government in November 2006, whilst no answer has followed yet, the CSC told Trend.
The permission for passage via Russias interior waters in this year will be obtained like in the previous years. Thus, the CSC will have receive a permission for each vessel separately..
Azerbaijan plans to sign with Russia an agreement on Commercial Shipment. This document enables the parties to benefit the privileged terms in the ports. Azerbaijan insists on signing of one more agreement, which would enable to define the rules of passage of vessels via Russias internal waters.
The problems with the passage of vessels via Russias interior waters appeared in April 2005, when Russia did not give permission for passage three vessels with cargo for BP on board. The vessels passed to the Caspian Sea only in June. The CSC needs 17 permissions for cargo deliveries to set up navigation. In early autumn 2005 Azerbaijan obtained permission from Russia for passage of 5 vessels via the interior waters. In accordance with the decree issued by the Russian government, the vessels Gazanfar Musabeyov Maestro Niyazi, Natavan, Rasul Rza and Poet Vidadi received permission for passage via the Volga-Don and Volga-Baltic channel. Three vessels returned to the job places in the Black Sea. Natavan stayed in the Caspian for refurbishment. Poet Vidadi should pass into the Caspian from the Caspian Sea, while due to delays the cargo transporter refused from the vessels services.