Big Port checkpoint limits layout delays

The boundaries of a border crossing checkpoint at the Big Port of St. Petersburg have not been established so far. The reason is the dispute between business entities operating at the port, as well as the approach of the customs authorities. The long-awaited inauguration of the crossing point for yachts in the Fort Constantine may also be postponed. Nevertheless, a meeting of the interdepartmental commission on these issues has been slated for August 15, 2012.

Checkpoint commissioning is pending

The Northwest Territorial Administration of Rosgranitsa does not rule out the procedure of establishing of the checkpoint boundaries at the Big Port of St. Petersburg will be delayed.

The head of the regional agency Mikhail Smolkin said that the delay is attributed to the disputes of economic entities on the inclusion of their territories in the areas of border crossing point, and in some cases – to the approach of the Customs authorities.

In particular, the Customs considers inappropriate the inclusion of "Baltimore" terminal in the boundaries of the checkpoint.

There is also a legal conflict with the inauguration of the checkpoint area for small boats at Fort Constantine, which is considered a floating vessel.

As Rosgranitsa press office has previously reported, the issue concerns the setting of the crossing point limits on the territories of JSC "Container Terminal of Saint Petersburg", JSC "Petersburg Oil Terminal", JSC "Baltic Dry Bulk Terminal." The dispute arose between business entities, since the inclusion of land within the post boundaries imposes certain financial obligations on other parties in respect of covering the costs of permits and transport. The stevedoring companies’ comments on the issue were not available. The North-West Customs Department also declined to comment on the terminal "Baltimore".

The situation with Fort Constantine is quite absurd. The opening of a checkpoint for recreational crafts does not entail commercial activity and was initiated by the city administration. However, the customs authorities insist on installing there a gas analyzer, trapping molecules of explosives and drugs and determine their source. According to Mikhail Smolkin, the order, delivery and installation of this device will take at least 2-3 months and its value is about one million rubles. So, if the customs office will insist on this requirement, the checkpoint inauguration will likely be postponed and this will have a negative impact on Russia's image, as the country had announced it would open its inland waterways for foreign flagged recreational boats.

In its turn, Rosgranitsa says it is set to provide a letter of commitment that this facility will be installed right after the opening of the checkpoint. Although the installation of the gas analyzer is provided by the legislation of the Customs Union, Mikhail Smolkin believes the issue should not become an obstacle to the Fort Constantine border crossing post commissioning.

There is also conflict of laws related to the fact that the site is officially considered as a floating facility. Thus, it can not be tied to geographic coordinates. In the future the officials plan to change the status of the site, but it is not yet clear how it will be included in the limits of the checkpoint.

Initially, the facility inauguration was scheduled for July 10, 2012, and then the ceremony was postponed until August 2012.

Russia’s inland waterways are officially assessable for foreign sport vessels, recreational boats as of May 25, 2012. Nevertheless, St. Petersburg still does not have any special entry points for yachts.

Vitaly Chernov.