Norway has with the support of Russia gained full acceptance for its proposal to introduce new, compulsory shipping lanes off the coast of Northern Norway. All vessels carrying oil and gas or other dangerous loads must follow new lanes from Lofoten to the Russian border.
The lanes running north and south, 30 nautical miles from shore, will be separated by a 3 mile safety zone.
The new measures are aimed at reducing the danger for oil spills and other pollution from the increasing transport of oil and gas from Russia to the world market.
The United Nation agency, the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) is expected to adopt the new regulations at its meeting this coming weekend, and they will ten come into effect in June next year.