It would be quite reasonable and eco-friendly to carry out transshipment of all bulk cargoes on the western shore of the Kola Bay, the local official said.
At a working meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin Murmansk region's Governor Marina Kovtun said that only facilities for handling containerized cargo should remain on the east coast.
Marina Kovtun has referred to environmental issues related to pollution of Murmansk by coal dust.
"We have carried out an analysis, our SRI has done the job, sufficiently large volume, not all this pollution is generated by coal. Actually, heavy fuel oil which is processed in large volume also contributes. We do face this problem, and we are going to sign with "SUEK", which is the owner of the port and exports the bulk of coal, a binding agreement with the terms that they will implement an environmental program. It is urgent for people, the locals see this and push the officials to react. Therefore, we have no other choice, we'll have to force them (terminal owners)", Murmansk Governor is quoted as saying.