Russia may lose its monopoly on the Northern Sea Route
“Just because of global warming, the interest of other countries in the Northern Sea Route may increase. Today, this route has been ice-free for several months a year, ”Alexey Tyukavin, the first deputy governor of the Murmansk region, tells the VZGLYAD newspaper.
In the coming days, the State Duma plans to consider in the second reading a draft law “On Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation Regarding the Regulation of Merchant Shipping in the Water Area of the Northern Sea Route”.
According to this document, transport operators, including foreign ones, should have equal access to the Northern Sea Route (NSR). The law will provide for the introduction of the Arctic ship tax, which should go to cover the cost of infrastructure.
The question of creating a specialized state institution - the Northern Sea Route Administration is also being considered.
In addition, in 2009, a program was developed for the construction of the Murmansk Arctic hub, which is designed to increase traffic through the Northern Sea Route.
The Northern Sea Route is the shortest sea route between the European part of Russia and the Far East, the historically established national unified transport communication of Russia in the Arctic. It passes through the seas of the Arctic Ocean (Kara, Laptev, East Siberian, Chukchi) and partly of the Pacific Ocean (Bering Sea).
The NSR serves the ports of the Arctic and the major rivers of Siberia (fuel, equipment, food, timber, and minerals), and is also used to transport international cargo.
The first deputy governor of the Murmansk region, Alexey Tyukavin, told the VZGLYAD newspaper what stage the implementation of the Northern Sea Route infrastructure development program is currently at.
VIEW: One of the main problems of the SMP is the lack of the necessary infrastructure for the transshipment of goods. At one time, the development program of the Murmansk transport hub was adopted. What main activities will be done?
Alexey Tyukavin: New terminals for transshipment of coal and petroleum products will be built on the western shore of the Kola Bay. On the east coast of the Kola Bay, reconstruction of the existing coal terminal, the construction of a container terminal, and a logistics center are envisaged.
A large-scale subproject will also be implemented - a new railway line is built on the insufficiently developed western coast of the Kola Bay.
VIEW: At what stage is the project now?
А.Т .: The contractor, NPO Mostovik, is completing the design work of the railway infrastructure, as well as the port water area.
VIEW: Is the Northern Sea Route now being used as a transit route by other states?
AT: Not yet, but I think this question will arise soon. The fact is that the legal framework is very old - there is no law on the Northern Sea Route. Traditionally, Russia considered the NSR as its own transport artery, and in order for a foreign ship to pass this way, an appropriate permit is required. Transit implies easy access. There is no easy access yet.
First Deputy Governor of the Murmansk Region Alexei Tyukavin (photo: gov-murman.ru)
LOOK: Well, if the question arises of providing the NSR to other states, can Norway, for example, compete with our icebreaker the fleet? Or does the unconditional right to the NSR provide Russia with a strong icebreaking fleet?
А.Т .: No one in the world has such an icebreaking fleet like ours. And in the second part of the question there is some truth. But just because of global warming, the interest of other countries in the Northern Sea Route may increase.
Today this route is free of ice for several months. 20 had nuclear-powered icebreakers on duty all year round, and ordinary ships could not get there. Now it has become easier - in August, September there is little ice. Therefore, in the summer, large tankers and bulk carriers may pass. There was an interest - because everyone understands that this path is shorter than through the Suez Canal.
But even in summer, when there is almost no ice and it is possible to pass without an icebreaker, we nevertheless require that ships cruising through the NSR be accompanied by icebreakers. The vessel must be under control so that the icebreaker can quickly provide the necessary assistance.
LOOK: Which goods are shipped most often?
AT: Most of the cargoes are minerals, fish and fish products - all 3% of the total.
Now only bulk cargoes can be transported through the SMP - minerals, bioresources. But there is no question about the transportation of goods with the help of container ships. The fact is that large container ships can be held only in summer. They are not faced with the problem of saving time and bringing cargo faster. They need to bring the goods on time and according to the schedule, and since the SMP cannot provide guarantees of cargo transportation all year round, the powerful container lines do not even consider the SMP yet.
By the way, for the first time in stories The shipping container ship made a flight along the NSR without icebreaker escort from Murmansk to China in the 2010 year.
VIEW: What brings the maximum income from the operation of the SMP?
AT: Today there is no such organization that would coordinate the entire work of the NSR. The law on the SMP that is being developed just involves the creation of such an organization. An option is being considered to generate income from the Arctic waybill, which will be used to maintain the infrastructure.
Now all income from the SMP is collected by Atomflot FSUE through tariffs through the use of icebreaking support.
VIEW: Tell me why the tariffs for transporting fish are 10 times higher than for transporting wood - to transport a ton of fish costs more than 1500 rubles, and a ton of wood costs about 200 rubles?
AT: This story is old. The highest tariffs were paid by Norilsk Nickel, because earlier it was the main enterprise that actively worked in the Arctic and paid money to the icebreaker fleet for its maintenance. Approximately 80% of the icebreaker fleet was maintained with the money from Norilsk Nickel. Accordingly, Norilsk Nickel set an approximate tariff plan.
It is clear that for many enterprises that are not connected with minerals in any way, such tariffs are beyond their means. At one time, foresters raised a big fuss because of high tariffs. As a result, they were made special rates at the level of 200 rubles per ton of cargo. At the same time, all other companies paid at high rates - the fishermen paid more than 1000 rubles, and the Norilsk Nickel tariffs exceeded 2000 rubles.
But even this tariff foresters could not pull, they still began to carry by rail.
In turn, Norilsk Nickel, which spent 80 million dollars annually to pay for the tariffs of the icebreaker fleet, decided to build its own icebreaking fleet. Now most of the cargo is transported on its own.
VIEW: What are the prospects for the use of the SMP for tourism purposes?
А.Т .: Every year, cruise ships of foreign cruise companies call at the port of Murmansk. In 2011, cruise ships 11 made calls to Murmansk. On board, about 5 thousands of cruise tourists arrived in Murmansk. In 2012, 15 cruise ship calls are expected at the port of Murmansk.
Unfortunately, at the present time in the seaport, despite the increase in tourist flow, we lack modern infrastructure. All ports are designed for cargo handling.
In order to intensify the passenger flow, the government of the Murmansk region is initiating a project called the Arctic Harbor. It provides for the reconstruction of port facilities of federal property, as well as the construction of infrastructure by private investors.
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