Kerch–Yenikale Canal
# Kerch–Yenikale Canal

45°18′23″N 36°30′18″E﻿ / ﻿45.3064063°N 36.5049934°E﻿ / 45.3064063; 36.5049934

Kerch–Yenikale canal (Ukrainian: Керч-Єнікальський канал, Russian: Керчь-Еникальский канал) is a maritime shipping canal in the Kerch Strait. It connects the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea.

## History

The canal was built from 1874 to 1877. The initial depth of the canal was 5.7 m.

In order to improve navigational capabilities of the Strait of Kerch, which is quite shallow in its narrowest point, the Kerch-Yenikale canal was dredged through the strait. The canal can accommodate vessels up to 215 meters long with a draft of up to 8 meters with compulsory pilot assistance.

Since the Russian annexation of Crimea in 2014, the canal is fully controlled by Russia. The navigational procedures, including prior notification of intent to pass and limitations on vessel size and those due to weather conditions and echeloning of one-way group passage, remain unchanged from the period of Ukrainian administration. During construction of the Crimean Bridge the canal was temporarily blocked for navigation.

