The Federation Council has put forward a plan to link the Berdyansk and Mariupol ports with a ferry network, aiming to boost both cargo movement and passenger services in the Sea of Azov. This initiative, reported by TASS, seeks to strengthen regional logistics and sustain maritime traffic in the area.
Proposed to the Economic Policy Committee of the Federation Council, the ferry concept is framed as a practical step to prevent transport disruptions and maintain viable corridor routes for goods and people. The proposal emphasizes maintaining steady access to essential markets and communities in the region by restoring reliable ferry operations as part of a broader transport strategy.
In correspondence to Maxim Oreshkin, the committee outlined the goal of solving living-condition challenges for residents by addressing cargo ferry traffic and reactivating passenger routes in the areas served by Berdyansk and Mariupol ports. The communication highlights the priority of resilient regional connectivity amid evolving circumstances, as noted by an official close to the President of the Russian Federation.
Senator Andrei Kutepov highlights the strategic importance of reestablishing links between the newly integrated Russian regions and neighboring areas in the Rostov and Krasnodar territories. This emphasis points to a broader objective of harmonizing regional transport networks to support economic activity and everyday mobility for residents and businesses alike.
Marat Khusnullin, previously a deputy prime minister, stated that the Sea of Azov is expected to become part of a coastal automobile ring by the end of 2024. The plan envisions improved road-rail-ferry coordination to enhance cross-border and cross-regional movement, contributing to broader infrastructure integration in the matrix of regional transport corridors. The assertion underscores the government’s commitment to expanding maritime access as a complement to land-based routes, with an eye toward sustained growth and resilience in the sector.