German regulator grants Nord Stream 2 new clearance to lay pipeline in Germany's waters through end of May

BERLIN. Jan 15 (Interfax) - Germany's federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH) has expanded the timeframe for the permission already issues for construction of Nord Stream 2, with operations now cleared through the end of the May, the agency said in a statement.

"The Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH) has granted Nord Stream 2 clearance for laying of pipe in the German exclusive economic zone along sections of 16.5 kilometers and 13.9 kilometers in length in the period between the end of September and the end of May," according to a statement received by Interfax.

As such, the timeframe was expanded for the clearance already issued, which the company requested in July 2020.

"The request applies to the new time window for laying of the pipeline using an anchor positioning vessel along the remaining part of the route in the German exclusive economic zone," the agency said.

The Akademik Cherskiy and Fortuna pipe-laying vessels are taking part in the construction of the pipeline. The Fortuna has a anchor positioning system and has already built 2.6 kilometers of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline in the German exclusive economic zone.