They are unable to use the Volga-Don Canal to move into the Black Sea after a barge hit a huge set of lock gates on the Tsimlyanskoye reservoir.

Shipping companies have already lost millions of dollars in late or undelivered goods, reports say.

The lock gates may not be repaired until the end of November, experts say.

Some ships have chosen to take a lengthy alternative route via the Baltic Sea, around Europe and past Spain.

Inquiry launched

The dry-load barge Sea Baroness crashed into the massive Konstantinovskiy lock late last week, snapping their gates in a single blow.

The captain said the ship suddenly lurched forward although its engines were in reverse, Russia's RTR television reported.

Repair work is being carried out round-the-clock, while investigators examine how the accident happened.

"We have sent a crane there, but we will not be able to do anything before 20 November," Russian Transport Minister Igor Levitin was quoted as saying by Russia's Itar-Tass news agency late last week.

"The water level drop is too high there - it is over three metres," the minister said.