Russia: Considers Prohibiting Foreign Ships from Carrying Russian Energy Resources Through Northern Passage

Russia is considering banning foreign ships from carrying Russian energy through the Northern Passage, engaging in ice-breaking activities and pursuing coastal voyages, according to a report in the Kommersant newspaper citing a draft government decision.

The measures, proposed by the Ministry of Industry and Trade, will exclude ships built outside Russia from the Northern Passage, which Moscow seeks to turn into a major navigation zone, as the Arctic temperature rises faster than the rest of the world.

The Russian ministry did not respond to a request for comment.

According to Kommersant, the Ministry of Industry and Trade on November 1 drew up a list of activities that will be allowed only to Russian-built ships on this Arctic Ocean-owned Exclusive Economic Zone in Russia.

Prohibited activities include, according to the draft decision, the transport of Russian oil, natural gas, gas and coal condensate through this channel, as well as ice-breaking activities and hydrotechnical and underwater mechanical works.

The ban, which is due to take effect on March 1, is met with reactions from some government officials who are worried that Russian-built ships and yards will not be able to cope with the sudden change, Kommersant reported.

Russia hopes that the navigation route along its northern coast, which will shorten the distance between China and Europe, will be able to cross all year round in 2022 or 2023.

SOURCE: AMPE

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Source From: Capital

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