The issue of passing ships through the inner waters of Russia was discussed at the two-day 7-th special sitting of the Council of the International Association of Ship Owners of the Black Sea Basin (BINSA) held in Baku on 20 September 2005, Trend reports.
The BINSA president, chairman of the Azerbaijan State Shipping Company (CSC) Aydin Bashirov noted the government of Azerbaijan conducts an active work for receiving permission for the CSC vessels to pass through the Volga-Don canal.
"The negotiations are underway for the moment on the issue. In future we would like to raise the issue for all members of the Association to be able to pass through the canal
without any obstacles. Much metal goes to the ports of Iran and Baku from Ukraine. The access to the canal is complicated, as the canal is closed not only for the CSC ships but for other shipping companies, members of the Association, as well. We intend to apply to the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation on behalf of the Association”, he noted.
Bashirov also noted, there are persons concerned, who do not want the ships sail through these water ways under the flag of Azerbaijan, Ukraine and some other countries. "Because the cargo transportation for Azerbaijan by our ships through this canal is very cheap to our customers”, the CSC chairman said.
Bashirov noted, the issue of joining the International Maritime Organization will be also discussed in the framework of the meeting.
