Transneft proposes changing storm preemption system in Novorossiysk to minimize downtime in oil transshipping

MOSCOW. Jan 12 (Interfax) - The storm preemption system in Novorossiysk may be changed to minimize downtime for oil transshipment.

"The storm factor complicates operations very seriously. We requested statistics on storms over the last 15 years. Whereas before 2017 there were 60-75 storm days on average, last year there were 111, and this year there are 118. That is, the port is forced to work intermittently. But there is not only oil there, but also other cargoes," Transneft President Nikolay Tokarev said in an interview with the corporate journal Pipeline Oil Transportation.

"In addition, there are organizational aspects, and we are trying to find optimal solutions that would allow us not to wait for the weather. Because sometimes a warning is issued many hours before the onset of a storm situation, after which work is stopped and ships put out into the harbor while waiting for normal weather. In our opinion, it is not always justified, and I hope that we will come to an understanding on this issue," he added.

In addition, according to him, there is a lack of marine pilots. "We have our own pilot service, but it needs to be strengthened to moor several vessels at once. So there are many nuances of the production plan, which depend not only on the weather," the Transneft chief said.