The Azerbaijan State Caspian Shipping Company (CASPAR) informed Trend on January 30th that Azerbaijan continues talks with Russia to gain authorisation for passage via interior waters of Russia in during the period of navigation April 15th to November 15th 2007.
Russia has been sent a potential schedule of passage for the vessels. CASPAR aims to receive authorisation for passage of all 28 of its cargo vessels. However, the final number will depend on Russia.
At present the circumstances on authorisation of passages via interior waters of Russia remains unchanged. A vessel can enter the Caspian and return back to the Black Sea to its permanent place only once. It is necessary to apply changes Russian legislation to resolve the issue.
In 2006 CASPAR obtained 25 authorisations for 14 vessels to pass through Russia's internal waters. From these authorisations, some 11 stipulate entrance and some 14 exit from the Caspian Sea.
However, despite these authorisations, Azerbaijan hopes to conclude a long-term agreement for the passage of vessels through Russia's internal waters, which calls for revision of the current legislation of the Russian Federation.
At present the passage of Azerbaijani vessels through Russia's waters costs $20,000 вЂ" $25,000, bringing big profits to Russia's channel services. The Russian vessels pay $5,000-$6,000 for similar operations. Thus, the passage of Azerbaijani vessels greatly benefits the channel services of Russia.