Russian Transport Ministry to reform inland waterways management

The Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation has published a draft federal law on amendments to the Code of Inland Water Transport of the Russian Federation (CIWT). According to the explanatory note to the bill, there will be some changes to the Code in the system of management of inland waterways of the Russian Federation (Russia's IW).

The amendments to CIWT is coupled with the administrative reform, taking into account changes in the system of executive authorities, namely, the federal ministries, service and agency, and their competence on governance issues in the field of inland waterway transport.

In addition, the bill provides for the Russian Federation regions to create, develop and maintain the inland waterways of the Russian Federation to organize the transportation of cargo and passengers in the interest of the regions, if these waterways are not included in the list of Russia's inland waterways approved by the government’s order on Dec. 19, 2002 (N1800-p).

The bill "On Amendments to the Code of Inland Water Transport of the Russian Federation" will be submitted by the Russian Government for approval to the Russian State Duma and then be signed by the Russian President.