In view of the IMO 2020 Sulphur Cap coming into force on January 1, an increasingly high number of ship owners opt for LNG with gas fuel system already being installed on Ultra Large Container Vessels (ULCVs). Infrastructure for LNG bunkering is underdeveloped in Russia yet, while liberalization of LNG export and its price deregulation can facilitate investments in this segment.

Electric power supply based on polyethylene and solid oxide fuel cells can become the most promising and universally applicable way to reduce environmental and economic risks of maritime shipping.

The Secretary-General of IMO Kitack Lim visited Moscow at the invitation of the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation and took part in Transport of Russia Exhibition. In a short interview with PortNews IAA Mr. Kitack Lim spoke about main challenges the industry is facing.

In her interview with IAA PortNews, Irina Olkhovskaya, Director for Port and Railway Projects, UMMC OJSC, tells about application of public private partnership principle for implementation of the largest investment port project – Phase 3 of the dedicated coal transshipment facility.

Speculation about possible shifting of Rostov-on-Don port’s First Cargo District have intensified again although the regional budget has no resources for that purpose. Meanwhile, the stevedore is investing in new protection technologies. The situation is not unique being typical for many ports in Russia and worldwide.

In November 2019, not only do we celebrate the 125th anniversary of Russia’s leading scientific center of naval architecture, we actually mark the birthday of the country’s shipbuilding science.

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.