Outright prohibition of heavy fuel in the Arctic is not reasonable – maritime administrations of Russia and Finland

Outright prohibition of using heavy fuel in the Arctic region is inappropriate. Instead, adequate and technologically feasible measures on minimization of environmental risks should be undertaken to prevent pollution caused by ships, particularly those carrying crude oil and oil products as cargo or as bunker fuel. According to IAA PortNews correspondent, that was announced at the 38th meeting of Russian-Finnish Mixed Commission on Maritime Shipping (Saint-Petersburg, 11 December 2017) by Vitaly Klyuyev, Co-chair on the Russian side, Director of RF Transport Ministry's Department of State Policy for Maritime and River Transport. He says many member states of the Arctic Council support this position.  

“The documents of the Arctic Council or its member states do not set forth any bans, - explained Vitaly Klyuyev. – The Arctic Council has come to understanding of the necessity to deal with the risks”.

Russia supports the proposal of Finland to bring up the issue of heavy fuel for consideration at the Arctic Council (next meeting will be hosted by Quebec, Canada, in February 2018).