Port Kavkaz

8.57

General information. Port Kavkaz is primarily a rail ferry port and is situated on the NW coast of Kosa Chushka (45°20'N, 36°40'E). It is a port of entry.

Directions. All ship movements within the port are regulated by the ship traffic control centre (TsUDS). Entrance is by means of the ferry leading lights (143¹/2°-323¹/2°).

Berths. The port consists of an oil pier, ferry jetty and general cargo berth. The maximum depth in the harbour is 4-7 m. A maximum under-keel clearance of 0-5 m is required giving a maximum permitted draught of 4-2 m. Ships of up to 130 m length and 14-5 m beam can be accepted subject to the above draught constraints.

Pilotage and tugs. Pilotage is compulsory. The pilot boards in position 45°21'N, 36°39'-5E. Towage is compulsory for vessels of 100 m and over. There are two tugs stationed in the port.

Kerchenskaya Bukhta

8.58

General information. Kerchenskaya Bukhta is entered between Mys Belyy (45°19'N, 36°30'E) and Mys Zmeynyy, 2 ¾ miles NE. The bay is shallow and the nature of the bottom is soft mud.

The town and port of Kerch' are situated in the NW part of the bay. Kerchens'kyy Fishing Port is situated in the W part of the bay.

Topography. The SW side of the bay, NW of Mys Belyy, is steep and in some places precipitous. Thence as far as the town of Kerch' the W side of the bay is low and fronted by a flat, with depths of less than 2 m, that extend up to 2 cables offshore.

Kerch'

8.59

General information. Kerch' (45°22'N, 36°29'E), which in 2002 had a population of 157 000, is an important industrial centre with local natural resources of minerals and natural gas. Local industries include metallurgical plant, engineering, steelworks, ship building and fisheries. The town is the seat of local government.

Approaches. Navigation through Kerch Strait is controlled by a Vessel Traffic Service (VTS Kerch Radio).

Traffic. In 2002 the port was used by 303 vessels with a total deadweight of 4 122 131 tonnes. Port Authority.

Kerch' Port Authority, Port Office, 28 Kirova Street, Kerch', Black Sea, Ukraine.

Limiting conditions. Least depth in the dredged approach channel is 7-8 m (2000). Vessels over 160 m in length are only handled in daylight hours.

Pilotage is compulsory. The pilot boards at the S end of the channel, off light-buoys Nos 1 and 2, in position 45°12'N, 36°28'E or at the N end of the channel 5 miles NNE of Mys Fanar (45°23'N, 36°39'E).

Tugs are available and their use is compulsory. The number is dependent on a vessel's length, displacement and draught.

Local weather. The prevailing winds are from the NE throughout most of the year but SW winds are possible during the day in summer. Fog is frequently experienced in spring, especially during May.

Climatic table. See 1.195 and 1.204.

Directions. The alignment (331 ¼ °) of leading lights leads NNW through a dredged channel which branches from Yenikal'skoye Koleno about I mile ESE of Mys Belyy. Other dredged channels lead to the fishing port (8.60) on the W side of the bay and the repair berth NE of the main berths.

Berths. There are several wharves and piers with depths from 6-7 m alongside.

Repairs. There are two floating dry-docks available with a lifting capacity of 8500 and 5000 tonnes respectively.

Facilities. Deratting.