4 Aug 2022 21:01

Russian bill provides for only one foreign ship on Northern Sea Route

MOSCOW. Aug 4 (Interfax) - The Russian government has introduced a bill on a permit-based procedure for shipping by foreign warships and other foreign state ships and vessels on the Northern Sea Route, according to the State Duma database on Thursday.

Under the bill, no more than one foreign military ship or other state vessel, unless otherwise envisaged by a special resolution of the Russian government, may be present in the internal sea waters of the Northern Sea Route without a purpose of visiting a seaport, naval base or a base of military ships.

The bill proposes requiring a foreign-flagged military ship or vessel to apply for permission to pass through the internal sea waters in the Northern Sea Route via diplomatic channels no more than 90 days before planned passage.

While in the internal sea waters of the Northern Sea Route without a purpose of visiting a seaport, naval base or a base of warships, foreign submarines and other underwater transport vehicles must be on the surface and under their flag.

Foreign warships and other state vessels with nuclear propulsion units, foreign vessels carrying nuclear or other hazardous or toxic substances and materials, on entering the internal sea waters of the Northern Sea Route, must have the necessary documentation on board, observe special precautionary measures and follow the route as stated in the permit, the bill said.

In addition, Russian authorities may suspend a foreign warship or other state vessel from entering the internal sea waters of the Northern Sea Route for a definite period. Such suspension will come into effect upon being communicated in a navigation warning.