General Description
Location: The Danube - Black Sea Canal joins the Black Sea near Constantza.
General overview: The canal is entered from the Black Sea at Constanta South Port through the locks at Agigea (Km 1.9). The canal then trends in a NW'ly direction to join the Danube at Cernavoda. The canal shortens the distance from the Black Sea to Danube ports by approx 400km.
The length of the canal is 64.4km and locations along the canal are referenced by their kilometers (Km) distance from the Constanta entrance. Breadth is 90m, water depth is 7.0m allowing a max draft of 5.5m; bridge clearances are 17.0m and min curve radius is 3,000m.
The canal has a spur link, from approx mid length, to Midia on the Black Sea coast. This canal, Poarta Alba-Midia-Navodari Canal proceeds in a NE'ly direction and has 2 sets of locks. Mainly local trade uses this canal employing 3,000 t single barges with a pusher. The canal is 27.5 km in length, has a width of 45 m and has a governing draft of 4.5 m.
Cernavoda roads includes the Danube waters in the area situated on the right bank, upstream of the canal mouth, 1,500m in length and 180m in width. Constanta South harbour includes a portion of the basin waters in the area situated N of the canal mouth, length 2,000m and width 200m in maritime, river harbour.
Speed: Maximum speed 6.4tks, to prevent bank erosion.
Traffic figures: Approx 13,400t of cargo handled annually.
Load line zone: Summer Zone for vessels over 100m in length; Winter Seasonal Zone for vessels of 100m or less.
Max size: The canal has double locks at Agigea (Km 1.9) and Cernavoda (Km 60.3). The lock chambers are 310m in length, 25m in width and min sill depth of 7.5m. The max time for passing the locks is 60 mins.
Pushed Convoy: LOA: 296 m; draught: 3.8 m; beam: 23 m.
Self Propelled Vessels: LOA: 138.3 m; draught: 5.5 m; beam: 16.8 m.