NMTP backs standard rules for stevedoring cos handling coal at ports
VLADIVOSTOK. June 28 (Interfax) - The adoption of standard rules for stevedoring companies in the area of handling coal would improve the environment at seaports and neighboring cities, the CEO of JSC Nakhodka Commercial Sea Port (NMTP), Vyacheslav Sarayev said.
"The appearance of such rules would certainly establish a standard procedure for all stevedoring companies and straighten out the actions of port operators and regulatory bodies. It would become clear to all how much and what kind of equipment a stevedore must have at port for a certain amount of transshipment for their work to meet all environmental standards," Sarayev told Interfax.
Specific standards would rid the market of small, opportunistic stevedoring companies, he said. "Yes, such companies will probably leave, and thank God. Their main goal is to earn maximum profit, environmental issues are secondary. Right now it's profitable to handle coal, so they're doing this. Its price allows stevedores to earn well. Large players are always in favor of civilized means of transshipment," Sarayev said.
He recalled that NMTP has an investment program for development of the port. The company plans to invest about 3.5 billion rubles in modernization of equipment, machinery and environmental projects in the period to 2020.
More than ten stevedoring companies in Nakhodka are currently engaged in open transshipment of coal at the port, which is within city limits. Residents are complaining about coal dust. On June 15, a schoolboy from Nakhodka asked President Vladimir Putin during his call-in show for help to solve the environmental problems.
The problem of coal dust in Nakhodka is also being discussed in the State Duma with the participation of the Duma committee for environmental protection and the committee for regional policy and issues of the North and Far East, as well as experts and representatives of relevant ministries.
An MP from Primorye, Viktor Pinsky said urgent and comprehensive measures are needed to resolve the problem of coal dust at urban ports, including separate rules for those who engage in open transshipment of coal.
"Responsible stevedoring companies themselves ask for the introduction of common rules for all. The Association of Seaports is only in favour. The problem needs to be resolved fast and comprehensively with the participation of scientists, experts and community organizers. There needs to be a coordinator. The experience of Japan, which unloads our own coal on its end, shows that there is a solution. By solving the problem for Nakhodka, we'll solve it for Vanino, Murmansk and other population centers," Pinsky said.
The issue of establishing such rules is under the authority of Russia's Transport Ministry.