The Volga-Baltic waterway (r. Neva - Lake Ladoga - r. Svir - Lake Onego) goes through Lake Ladoga and the main rivers of the Lake Ladoga drainage area.
The total length of the Volga-Baltic waterway from St. Petersburg to Cherepovets is 845 km. The Lake Ladoga routes are 1171 km long, access routes to wharfs, quays, stations - 1142 km.
Total cargo traffic is about 8 million ton of various cargoes, their structure differing depending on the traffic direction (Tab. 7.9.1).
Freight is carried by freighters and tankers (Tab. 7.9.2). Besides, about 77,000 passengers annually travel on Lake Ladoga: 40,000 in the Volga - Baltic Sea direction, and 37,000 in the reverse direction.
Table 7.9.1. Annual cargo traffic through the Volga-Baltic waterway (mln. ton).
Direction
Oil, oil products
Dry cargo
Total
Minerals and construction materials
Timber
Chemical compounds
Other
Volga -> the Baltic
4.00
0.13
0.39
0.63
0.41
5.56
the Baltic -> Volga
0
1.20
0.09
0
1.11
2.40
Table 7.9.2. Number of ships of different types annually carrying cargo in Lake Ladoga
Direction
Cargo
Passengers
Total
Dry cargo freighters
Tankers
Volga -> the Baltic
1425
909
212
2546
the Baltic -> Volga
1394
911
213
2518
Commercial fisheries are also carried out in Lake Ladoga. Total number of fishing vessels in the business is 60 ships with a water displacement of 150-300 ton (launches, seiners).
Lake Ladoga also harbours ships of the military inland fleet, but data on these ships are not open to the public.
The effect of shipping on the environment of Lake Ladoga and its drainage area has not been studied specifically. Data on discharges of solid and liquid wastes from ships are lacking.
