Regional authorities in Murmansk are working for the return of the Russian trawler fleet to their original home port of Murmansk. Governor Yuri Yevdokmov says the federal government soon will have the issue on its agenda. Meanwhile, in the Norwegian border town of Kirkenes, local ship supply companies start fearing for their jobs.
A significant number of Russian vessels are currently operating from foreign ports because of red tape in Russia. In the Norwegian border town of Kirkenes, more than 1000 Russian sailors operate the many trawlers moored in the local port. The Russian trawler companies annually buy annual supply services worth 1 billion NOK (150 million EUR).
Local ship agent Arve Henriksen says to NRK that he is prepared for changes. He maintains that it is only a question about when the Russian trawlers will leave for Russia. He puts his hopes in the emergence of new alternative business.
Kirkenes is strategically located with a deep-sea and ice-free port.