Russia invites Finland to designate a common water area in the Gulf of Finland not subject to ballast water exchange (photo)
Russia invites Finland to designate a common water area in the Gulf of Finland requiring no ballast water exchange, IAA PortNews correspondent cites Vitaly Klyuyev, Director of RF Transport Ministry's Department of State Policy for Maritime and River Transport, as saying at the 38th meeting of Russian-Finnish Mixed Commission on Maritime Shipping held in Saint-Petersburg.
“The Ballast Water Management Convention entitles two countries to agree on non-application of the requirements to vessels sailing only between these two countries”, he explained.
Vitaly Klyuyev also emphasized that navigation on the Saimaa Canal as a separate issue when it comes to BWM Convention.
Risto Murto, the Head of the Finland’s delegation, promised a closer look at the matter having recognized the proposal of the Russian side to be interesting.
The Ballast Water Management Convention entered into force on 8 September 2017 with vessels already built to comply with it in 5 years.
According to Vitaly Klyuyev, Russia is fully prepared to comply with the BWM Convention requirements.