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Russia hopes for ferry link between Sevastopol and Russian mainland by tourism season

"Probably regular ferry traffic will open closer to the start of a tourism season. It can be most likely launched in May," Deputy Transport Minister Nikolay Asaul

SEVASTOPOL, April 02. /ITAR-TASS/. The Russian Transport Ministry plans to launch a ferryboat line between the Russian federal city of Sevastopol, long-standing home base for Russia’s Black Sea naval fleet on the Crimean peninsula, and the Russian mainland by the start of a tourism season in the Russian Republic of Crimea, Deputy Transport Minister Nikolay Asaul told ITAR-TASS on Wednesday.

In his words, specialists of the ministry were estimating expected passenger traffic and frequency of ferryboat trips and were studying which ports would be able to receive a ferryboat in the city of Sevastopol and Russian mainland. Ferryboats equipped with cabins and seats are planned to launch.

“This is interesting and in the focus of our attention,” Asaul said. “Probably regular ferry traffic will open closer to the start of a tourism season. It can be most likely launched in May. The workload of port Kavkaz should be relieved,” he noted.

The ministry also plans to bring building materials to the city of Sevastopol by special vessels. The transport directorate of the agency will deal with this according to a system practiced in construction of Olympic sites in the Russian Black Sea resort city of Sochi. It will accumulate all regional requests and will put into practice logistical chains.

First of all, the ministry plans to attract local carriers, Asaul said. Russian investors will be engaged, if Crimea lacks required capacity.