Strait of Kerch

The Kerch Strait (Керченский пролив) forms a connection between the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, separating the Crimea in the west from the Taman peninsula in the east. The strait has a width of from 4.5 to 15 km (3-11 mi) and a depth up to 18 meters. The most important harbor is the city of Kerch.

The ferry transportation across the strait has been established in 1952, connecting the Crimea and the Krasnodar Krai (Port Krym - Port Kavkaz line). Originally there were four train-ferry ships, later three car-ferry ships were added. Train transportation continued for almost 40 years. Train-ferries became old in the late of 1980s and they were removed from operation. Due to the lack of funding no new ships were delivered at that time as a replacement and now only cars can be ferried across the strait. In 2004 a new train-ferry was prepared for operation, and today large restoration works are started in harbours to re-establish train transportation.

There were several attempts to build a bridge across the Kerch Strait as a replacement of ferry, but difficult geological configuration of the area makes all projects of bridge too expensive.

A number of fish-processing plants are located on the Crimean coast of the strait. Fishing season begins in late autumn and lasts for 2-3 months. At that time a lot of seiners put out to the strait for fishery.

In the ancient times the Kerch Strait was known as the Cimmerian Bosporus; it is also known by its Tatar name, Yenikale.