The influence of the coastal relief on the navigation and seaborne trade in the Black Sea

Abstract

The analysis of the environment’s influence as regards the navigation and the seaborne trade on the Black Sea implies knowledge of the way in which the main factors of the marine environment determine favourable or unfavourable conditions for the ship’s displacement, respectively on the coastal routes or in the open sea, during winter or during the warm seasons, in favourable weather or on a rough  sea.

The Black Sea is an open sea for navigation during the entire year because of its geographical position, that determines the zone’s climate (namely, it is situated north of parallel 44⁰ N, meaning it has a temperate climate, and south of parallel 44⁰ N, meaning it has a subtropical climate). The characteristics of these two types of climate, respectively relatively mild and wet winters, and warm and arid summers – for the temperate climate, and warm winters and relatively dry, warm and rainy summers , for the subtropical climate. All the factors as mentioned above make navigation in the area propitious.

The shape and height of the coasts have the following influence on navigation: the coast that is predominantly high in the south and east parts ensures an excellent visual, and radar orientation, installation of aids for navigation is very easy (i.e., lighthouses, specialized lights, and unlit coastal landmarks); the coast that is predominantly lower in the northwestern part of the Black Sea is unfavourable to orientation and, in conjunction with the fact that small depths are advancing far into the open sea, navigation is conducted at relatively large distances from the coast (and cautiously near the coast, as well).