Moscow plans to ban foreign ships from carrying Russian fuel via Northern Sea Route – report

MOSCOW, Dec. 7 (Reuters) – Russia plans to ban foreign ships from shipping Russian energy shipments via the Northern Sea Route, as well as from icebreaking and coastal shipping, the newspaper reported on Tuesday. Kommersant citing a government draft resolution.

The step, proposed by the Ministry of Industry and Trade, would limit ships built outside Russia on the Northern Sea Route that Moscow wants to become a major shipping route as the Arctic warms faster than the rest of the world.

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

Kommersant reported that the ministry on November 1 drew up a draft list of activities that only Russian-built ships would be able to undertake on the seaway.

The activities included the transport of oil, gas, gas condensate and coal produced in Russia along the route, as well as icebreaking services, hydrotechnical and submarine engineering works, he said. indicated.

The proposed ban which could go into effect on March 1 for most activities is opposed by some members of the government who fear that Russian-made ships and Russian shipyards will not be able to cope with a sudden change , the newspaper said.

Russia is hoping that the seaway crossing its northern flank, which would reduce the distance between China and Europe, will start shipping year round in 2022 or 2023.

Reporting by Gleb Stolyarov; written by Tom Balmforth; edited by Jason Neely

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