Arkhangelsk Region Gov Irog Orlov says uniform port dues in Arctic sea basin might help boost competition
The development of the Port of Arkhangelsk was discussed yesterday at a meeting of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Igor Orlov, the Governor of Arkhangelsk region. Gov. Igor Orlov asked Vladimir Putin to address the issue of port charges regulation, the Governor's press office said.
The regional official said that uniform rates of fees in the Arctic Sea basin will help build a competitive environment, not based on the price difference, but the on the quality of services.
Igor Orlov noted that the ports of the Arctic sea basin are located in different geographical, climatic, technological and economic conditions.
For example, the Port of Arkhangelsk, which is currently contributing significantly to the development of the Arctic and has great potential for further development, is one of the most "expensive" Russian northern ports.
"A significant difference in the cost of port services reduces cargo throughput of the ports with higher charges rates, and introduces an imbalance in the development of transport infrastructure of the Arctic zone,” Igor Orlov said.
“As a result, traffic flows are shifting to cheaper ports or redirected to other basin ports or abroad."
According to the official, uniform rates of port charges in the Arctic sea basin could help create a competitive environment.
Following the meeting, President Vladimir Putin has charged the Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich and the chief of the Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) Igor Artemyev with a task to consider the proposal and to check the reasonableness of effective port dues rates.
