The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has approved a $155 million credit to Rosmorport, the Bank said. The loan is granted for modernization of Rosmorport’s fleet of environmental service fleet; procurement of oil boom laying workboats, skimmers, vessels for collection of shipboard wastes and dredgers, and other equipment.
 
Categorised B in accordance with the EBRD Environmental and Social Policy. The Project will support Rosmorport in the upgrading of its environmental fleet through acquisition of oil spillage collecting vessels, bilge water collecting vessels, mark boats, seafloor maintenance/dredging vessels and other port related equipment. The implementation of the Project is expected to improve significantly the operational performance and environmental services provided by Rosmorport. The Project is associated with limited adverse environmental and social impacts, which are addressed through mitigation measures.
 
The Project will enable Rosmorport to improve and centralise the management of environmental protection services at the ports (waste management in particular). The seafloor maintenance vessels will help maintaining and improving navigation safety in the ports. The improved environmental services at ports will provide enhanced environmental risk mitigation and management to the benefit of all port and terminal operators and shipping companies.
 
Environmental and social due diligence (ESDD) for the Project undertaken by independent consultants included a review of the Company’s existing E&S management systems, E&S audit of some of the Company’s existing facilities and operations as well as an environmental and social analysis of the Project. An Environmental and Social Action Plan (ESAP) has been developed to mitigate the identified E&S issues and impacts, and to bring the Project into compliance with the EBRD’s PRs. The ESAP commits the Company to developing and implementing an Environmental, Social, Health and Safety management system and strengthening EHS management capacity, including amongst others: Contractor/ Supplier management and monitoring programme; Stakeholder Engagement Plan; Dredging Management Plan for maintenance dredging; Emergency Response Plan for all foreseeable types of major incidents/emergency situations; Waste Management Plan; and Biodiversity Management Plan; and monitoring plans for operational phases of the Project.
 
Two TCs have been developed by the EBRD to assist Rosmorport in developing its corporate environmental and social management systems and organisational structure in line with best applicable international standards. In addition, the TCs would assist Rosmorport in preparing a medium to long term strategy and action plan for strengthening its operational capacity, equipment and tools so as to become the key provider of environmental services to Russian seaports in accordance with international maritime environmental and safety standards in medium to long-term. The Bank evaluated the Project’s environmental and social performance in accordance with the Bank’s PR’s through reviewing the Client’s periodic reporting and monitoring visits.