RUSSIAN deputy Transport Minister Victor Clerks warned that the UN Polar Code would be hard, if not impossible, to live by and detrimental to shipping if it were too extreme.
Speaking to journalists at a Copenhagen shipping conference, about banning overboard discharges, he said smaller vessels operating between Russia's Arctic ports would have difficulty complying.
There was also the unspoken issue of the number of icebreakers in the Arctic that may have to comply with the Polar Code, with Mr. Clerks suggesting that state-owned and operated icebreakers could be exempt like warships.
Mr. Clerks said the number of transit voyages along the northern sea route this summer could be lower than in 2013.
One operator who made several transits in the past three years told Lloyd's List in August, he only made one this summer.
Lloyd's List reported summer ice conditions were more severe this year and less conducive to transits than last year, which is why the numbers will be significantly lower.
IMO&EU NEWS
13 October 2014 - 20:53
UN's Arctic eco-code has severe compliance challenges in Russia
RUSSIAN deputy Transport Minister Victor Clerks warned that the UN Polar Code would be hard, if not impossible, to live by and detrimental to shipping if it were too extreme.
IMO&EU NEWS
13 October 2014 - 20:53
UN's Arctic eco-code has severe compliance challenges in Russia
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