In view of tougher restrictions on sulphur content in marine fuel to be effective from 2020, international companies and classification societies are searching new fuel alternatives while scientist are warning about implications of using low sulphur fuel for fuel systems.

Attractiveness of ports depends to a great extent on customs. Interviewed by IAA PortNews at the International Customs Forum in Moscow, Chief of the Baltic Customs Sergey Senko, tells about inspection of vessels, customs value, e-declarations, CIC availability, round-the-clock operation and interaction with businesses.

Liquefied natural gas (LNG) will become one of the most popular types of fuel in the nearest 15-20 years. However, a number of infrastructure, shipbuilding and regulatory issues are to be solved for its introduction. This and other issues have been discussed at the 3rd “LNG Fleet and LNG Bunkering in Russia” conference.

In his interview with IAA PortNews, Yury Mikhov, General Director of FSUE Hydrographic Company which fell under authority of Rosatom prior to beginning of 2019 navigation season, tells about operation on the Northern Sea Route.

Full-scale import substitution in the segment of equipment for fishing ships hindered by domination of foreign designs and deficit of information.

Marine Rescue Service considers it reasonable to establish in Russia a single operator of marine rescue fleet including rescue ships of Rosrybolovstvo (Russian Federal Fisheries Agency) and some ships of the Emergency Situations Ministry. MRS believes that will let reduce the costs and enhance flexibility of rescue operations. Rosrybolovstvo does not support the idea.

The work on RF Government Decree No 719 on import substitution in shipbuilding is underway for the fourth year. However, shipbuilders, ship owners and equipment suppliers have not yet decided if it gives an impetus to Russian industry or presents an extra barrier for fleet development.

Cargo traffic between Big Port St. Petersburg and Port of Hamburg to grow by 15% in 2019. In his interview with IAA PortNews, Lutz Birke, Chief of Office, Harbour & Innovation, Ministry for Economy, Traffic and Innovation, tells about the search for new logistic schemes including NSR transportation, development of bunkering infrastructure for sustainable fuel, the Elbe river dredging, development prospects and plans on reduction of hazardous emissions from ships.

In a recent interview with IAA PortNews Şadan Kaptanoğlu, managing director of HI Kaptanoglu Shipping and President of BIMCO told about activities of BIMCO, the leading global shipping association.

As it is known, personnel is key. In his interview with IAA PortNews, Director of Sinilga crewing agency Sergey Nikitin tells about training of Russian seafarers, their wages, reliable and non-reliable employers, bureaucratic and legal aspects of crewing as well as activities of related trade unions.