Viсtor Olersky: Russia has the right to establish special requirements for vessels sailing in its Arctic coastal waters (photo)
Russia has a unique experience of shipping in the Arctic. Obviously, the country has the right to establish special requirements for ships during their voyages in its jurisdictional waters in the Arctic, as stipulated in the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, Transportation deputy minister Viсtor Olersky said Monday.
Olersky, speaking at the 28th session of the Assembly of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), said Russia welcomes the IMO efforts to establish universal rules of navigation in the Arctic waters, adopting the Polar Code. The country is ready to share its experience in the Arctic, the official said.
"Particular attention should be paid to the issue of icebreaker assistance for the safety of navigation in the ice-covered waters. I believe the icebreaking support of navigation in polar waters should be adequately reflected in the future Polar Code," Mr. Olersky was quoted as saying.
The official recalled that the commercial shipping has increased in the Arctic, primarily on the Northern Shipping Route – previously the inaccessible areas.
"As a coastal State for the Northern Sea Route, Russia takes all the necessary measures to ensure the safe navigation of ships, including large vessels. In 2012, Russia passed a law on state regulation of commercial navigation in the waters of the Northern Sea Route. This year we introduced new Rules for sailing in the waters of the Northern Sea Route, and set up the Authority of the Northern Sea Route. We are carrying out a large scale program of renovation of the icebreaker fleet, including nuclear-powered ships, at the expense of the federal budget," said Mr. Olersky at the 28th session of IMO Assembly.
