With the developments on the western coast of the Kola Bay onshore support bases can be built for all companies operating in the Arctic, IAA PortNews correspondent cites Marina Kovtun, Murmansk Region Governor, as saying at the XI Regional Public Forum-Dialogue “Cooperation for Sustainable Development of the Arctic” being held in Murmansk.
“Over the recent five years we have done the most important thing – built a railway link from the Vykhodnoy station to Lavna. It will be completed in 2020 and a hi-tech coal terminal of 18 million tonnes in capacity will start operation in Lavna,” told the Governor.
Besides, an oil terminal and a container terminal will be built on the western coast of the Kola Bay. A unique shipyard NOVATEK-Murmansk will be built in Belokamenka to manufacture large structures of reinforced concrete.
Implementation of new investment projects is also underway on the eastern coast of the Kola Bay. A coastal supply base for offshore projects of Rosneft will be located at the site of the 82 Shiprepair Dockyard”, said Marina Kovtun.
The Murmansk Region has a special strategic status for Russia. Geographical location defined the Kola Peninsula as a priority element in ensuring the geopolitical interests of Russia in the north of Europe and the Arctic. Its non-freezing deep-water the Kola Bay became the main base of the Northern Fleet, and Murmansk sea port became the center of industrial fishing in the Barents Sea and the North Atlantic, and the starting point of the Arctic.
Today, Murmansk is the only port in European Russia with an open access to major oceanic routes. Port of Murmansk has direct access to the Northern Sea Route, that links the Atlantic to the Pacific through the arctic waters and provides access to natural resources of the Far North, Siberia and the Far East.
The Murmansk Region located at the junction of transnational routes and having reliable sea, railway, road and air links with industrial Russian regions can surely be called a northern gateway of Russia.
Related links:
Construction of coal terminal Lavna, a project of STLK, begins at the port of Murmansk (photo) >>>>
Phase I of NOVATEK’s Kola Yard to be put into operation in summer-autumn 2019 – Marina Kovtun >>>>