- Moscow has tightened passage rules in the Northern Sea Route as it plans to bring Arctic waters under its control.
- Warships and vessels will now have to notify Russia of their plans within 45 days and take on board Russian maritime pilots.
- The rules were developed due to the intensification of the naval activities of various states in the Arctic zone.
- The Northern Sea Route is shorter and more profitable than other routes for cargo delivery between Asia and Europe.
According to TASS, Moscow tightens passage over Arctic waters as Russia is putting the Northern Sea Route under its protection.
What happened?
The government has hammered out rules for the passage of foreign warships through the route, Izvestia wrote referring to the documented legislation. US representatives have repeatedly stated that they are also interested in the Northern Sea Route and claimed that Russia “has no right to dictate its terms there.” However, with the adoption of new rules, the situation will change.
Notification necessary
Warships and vessels will now have to notify Russia of their plans within 45 days and take on board Russian maritime pilots. The passage can be denied, and according to experts, in the event of unauthorized travel along the route, Russia will be able to employ emergency measures, going as far as arresting or destroying the vessel. The rules were developed due to the “intensification of the naval activities of various states in the Arctic zone“, the newspaper wrote. They are aimed at maintaining control over the environment and merchant shipping.
According to President of the Center on Global Interests in Washington, Nikolay Zlobin, the new rules for passing through the Northern Sea Route are a continuation of a consistent policy. “Russia has, for a long time, faced dissatisfaction from the United States, Canada, and a number of European countries, even China claims access to the North,” the expert explained.
Rules mandatory
Military expert Vladislav Shurygin told Izvestia that laying down the law for passing through the route was necessary. “NATO and the United States may well try to create another hotbed of tension along our borders. Ships will stop by, spend some time and leave. It would be necessary to monitor them,” he said.
Escalating tensions
Washington is mulling over escalating tensions around the Northern Sea Route, for economic reasons, among others, according to a member of the Federation Council Committee on Defense and Security Franz Klintsevich. He noted that the Northern Sea Route is shorter and more profitable than other routes for cargo delivery between Asia and Europe.
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Source: TASS
