Issue of 3-year transition period in respect of using Russian-flagged ships in the Arctic is under consideration
The issue of three-year long transition period in respect of using Russian-flagged ships in the Arctic is under consideration, IAA PortNews correspondent cites Yury Tsvetkov, Deputy Minister of Transport – head of Rosmorrechflot (Federal Marine and River Transport Agency). As Yury Tsvetkov told journalists, , the issue is being discussed. “One year long period was proposed but that was decided to be not enough. Finally, three years have been agreed. The issue is being discussed and I cannot forecast what's it going to be”, said Yury Tsvetkov.
According to the Federal Law On Amending the Merchant Shipping Code of the Russian Federation and Invalidating Specific Provisions of Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation effective from 1 February 2018, an exclusive right is granted to vessels sailing under the State Flag of the Russian Federation to transport by sea oil, natural gas, gas condensate and coal produced in the Russian Federation or in an area which is under the jurisdiction of the Russian Federation and loaded onto vessels located in the Northern Sea Route area.
At the same time, the Government of the Russian Federation has the right to make decisions regarding the aforementioned cargoes, transported by sea and using vessels sailing under flags of foreign states, if this does not contradict universally recognised principles and standards of international law, international treaties of the Russian Federation and decisions on the sea transportation of other cargoes in other water areas using vessels sailing under the State Flag of the Russian Federation.
