RF Government Order No 388 (as of April 24, 2015) approves state regulation of rates for icebreaker and ice pilot assistance provided to vessels within the water area of the Northern Sea Route, the Government’s press center says.
The document complies with the Federal Law “On amendments to certain legislative acts of the Russian Federation related to governmental regulation of merchant shipping in the water area of the Northern Sea Route”.
According to the amendments, icebreaking escort of vessels and ice pilotage within the NSR water area is classified as the activity of natural monopolies.
The above documents stipulate the development of rates system based on: estimated fare level taking into consideration that the operator of the nuclear icebreakers fleet needs to recover reasonable justified costs of actual icebreaking services provided in the water area of the Northern Sea Route; scope of actual icebreaking services; differentiation of rates depending on gross registered tonnage, ice class, escort distance and navigation period.
Under Article 6 of the Federal Law “On natural monopolies”, the Government approves the methods for regulation of the activities of natural monopoly entities including prices (rates) for goods (works, services) of natural monopoly entities.
The newly signed document determines the basic principles of pricing when it comes to the services of natural monopoly entities related to escorting of vessels within the water area of Northern Sea Route through determination of economically justified rates or rate ceilings by FTS of Russia.