New ferry line between Korea, Japan and Vladivostok to start operation in Q1 09
Primorye residents will be able to get to Japan and Korea by ferry, Vladivostok Times reports. The new cargo-and-passenger ferry line Donghe (Korea) – Sakaiminato (Japan) - Donghe (Korea) - Vladivostok (Russia) will begin its work in the first quarter of this year. The first stop in Vladivostok is planned for the first half of March, as the Primorsky Territory Administration reported. The main task of this line is to transport general cargo and to serve passangers and tourists. The ferry "Panstar Honey" will work on this line. It is planned that the ferry with capacity of 450 places will come to Vladivostok on Tuesdays. The ferry will have at least 48 passages with stops in Vladivostok yearly. According to the parties the new line will promote cooperation between regions in the field of trade and tourism. The negotiations about opening this line have been held since November of 2007. But final decision about it was made on the 13th summit of North-Eastern administrations heads, which was on Primorsky Territory Governor Sergey DARKIN initiative held in Vladivostok in September of the previous year. A new order of stay for foreign tourists will come into force from the 3 of March 2009. Now they can stay on the territory of Russia during 72 hours without any visas, if they come to Russia by ferry. This fact will make Primorsky Territory and Vladivostok more attractive for tourists.