A Sochi company considered Kondratyev's claims against the ferry to Trabzon to be far-fetched.

The resumption of ferry service between Sochi and Trabzon was fully coordinated with federal and port authorities, the transportation organizer stated, calling the regional governor's statement about the "inadmissibility of flights" unfounded. Sochi residents stated that the ferry is convenient for city residents.

The shipping company OOO SVS Shipping sent an open letter to the governor of Krasnodar Krai, Veniamin Kondratyev (a copy of the letter is in the possession of the "Caucasian Knot"), in which it stated that the organization of ferry service between Sochi and Trabzon was fully coordinated with federal and port authorities.

A letter dated October 19, signed by Sergey Turkmenyan, general director of SVS Shipping LLC, notes that the project to resume ferry service had been prepared over several years in conjunction with JSC Seaport of Sochi and The Turkish group of companies "Lider" also completed all approvals with the Federal Agency "Rosmorrechflot," the Federal Security Service for Krasnodar Krai, the Representative Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation in Sochi, and the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation. "The individuals who provided you with information on this matter either did not have complete information or intentionally distorted the facts. "The program is fully consistent with the purpose of the Sochi port and the approved technological scheme for crossing the state border," Turkmenyan emphasizes in an open letter.

According to him, all permits for the voyages have been received, and the line's registration has been approved by Rosmorrechflot until December 31, 2027 (No. Yu-25/5). There is also a notification from the Russian Ministry of Transport confirming approval for the program's implementation.

The company clarifies that the ferry Seabridge (formerly Lampedusa, built in Italy in 1974) arrived in Sochi on October 16 as part of a technical voyage on the Trabzon-Sochi-Trabzon route. "The application for arrival was submitted in advance - on October 14 - and no objections were received from the port services," the letter states. letter.

Formally, the governor has no connection to the international checkpoint at the Sochi seaport and cannot influence its operation.

According to Sergey Turkmenyan, “the vessel is designed to carry up to 450 people, including passenger vehicles. Travel time is 10-12 hours. Flights are planned to be carried out twice a week - on Mondays and Thursdays, the cost of a one-way ticket will be from $70.

“Formally, the governor has no connection to the international checkpoint at the Sochi seaport and cannot influence its operation, which is why he is going to contact the Ministry of Transport. We will continue to work according to the approved schedule,” Turkmenyan told a correspondent of the “Caucasian node."

He also noted that the claim of unsafety seems odd given the regular international cruise and air traffic. "Up to 12 flights depart daily from Sochi Airport to Turkey and 18 other countries. The cruise ship Astoria Grande carries over 1,100 people weekly, calling at ports in Turkey, Greece, and Israel. And no one seems to be bothered by this. So why is a ferry with four hundred passengers suddenly deemed 'unsafe'?" " he asked.

"The ferry service between Sochi and Trabzon existed from 1993 to 2011 and was interrupted during the port's reconstruction for the 2014 Olympics. Attempts to resume services have been made since 2023, but the deadlines were constantly postponed due to political and sanitary restrictions. The program only provides for the transportation of passengers and cars. The transportation of cargo, buses, or minibuses was not planned and is technically impossible," Turkmenyan said.

Turkmenyan expressed hope that "the governor's calls for support for small and medium-sized businesses will be backed by real decisions, not administrative prohibitions." He noted that the ferry is scheduled to resume operations next week.

"Residents and resort guests are looking forward to this route."

The initiative to reopen the line was supported by Sochi residents and the local business community.

"I would love to go to Turkey, even if just for a weekend—to do some shopping and just get a change of scenery. Right now, I have to fly, which, in my opinion, is more dangerous than traveling by sea. "The ferry is fast and inexpensive," teacher Anna Sokolova told a "Caucasian Knot" correspondent. She added that ferries used to run from Sochi to Trabzon and back almost every day in the 1990s and 2000s, and everyone was happy with it.

"For Sochi residents and tourists, this is an excellent opportunity for short trips, without visas and airports. This will revitalize the port and create new jobs," said individual entrepreneur Igor Mamedov.

Pensioner Natalya Kireeva emphasized that the launch of the ferry would help her see her grandchildren more often. "My daughter is married to a Turk and lives near Trabzon. If the ferry operated, I could visit my grandchildren much more often, and they could visit me. Now "Traveling by plane is too expensive and unsafe," she told a "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

Mustafa Kaya, a Turkish citizen working in Sochi on a construction site, called the ferry convenient. "I go home once every two months. Flying is expensive, but I could take the ferry with my bags and car. It's convenient for both us, Turks, and for Russians," he emphasized.