Russian govt to allocate 7.5 bln rubles for Northern Sea Route infrastructure projects

MOSCOW. Jan 16 (Interfax) - The Russian government will continue the comprehensive development of the Northern Sea Route (NSR), Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said at a meeting with deputy prime ministers on Monday.

"Rules have been approved for the provision of subsidies for the creation of a Northern Sea Route digital ecosystem, and almost 4 billion rubles is allocated for this in the federal budget for this and next year," Mishustin said.

The system will consist of a unified platform that will combine all electronic services for participants in the logistics market.

"It will include both automated measuring systems installed on vessels, and equipment for real-time monitoring of the ice situation based on aerial vehicles. It will be possible to collect more complete information about weather conditions, monitor the situation in real time and increase the safety of shipping along the Northern Sea Route, which is very important for timely delivery of cargo, including for deliveries to northern communities and for exports," Mishustin said.

More than 3.5 billion rubles will be allocated for deepening the Bukhta Sever port, which will be used to ship out oil from Rosneft's Vostok Oil project.

"The parameters of budget support for the construction of the Bukhta Sever port in the mouth of the Yenisei have been approved. We will allocate more than 3.5 billion rubles for deepening the waters in the next two years. Part of the funds will go toward creating a navigation safety system. This will make it possible to escort ice-class vessels with a payload of more than 120,000 tonnes," Mishustin said.