North-Western Basin Branch News

New Compulsory Regulations in Kaliningrad Seaport approved

By Ministry of Transport of Russia order dated 05.11.2013 No. 335 new Compulsory Regulations in Kaliningrad Seaport have been approved. They are to become effective within 10 days from the date of their official publication.
 
The new Compulsory Regulations in Kaliningrad Seaport stipulate:
- rules for port calls and exits of vessels and rules of navigation, including ice navigation, in the water area of Kaliningrad Seaport;
- rules for vessel navigation in the Kaliningrad VTS coverage areas and description of their boundaries;
- rules for mooring of vessels in Kaliningrad seaport with indication of their berths;
- rules for provision of environmental safety and quarantine in the seaport; 
- rules for the usage of special communication devices in the territory and water area of the seaport.

Also the Compulsory Regulations in Kaliningrad Seaport contain information about:
- recommended ways, approach fairways, depths, anchoring stations, and overflow anchorages of Kaliningrad seaport;
- compulsory pilotage areas of the seaport;
- seaport capacities regarding admission of vessels, and also minimal amount and power of tow boats necessary for mooring operations in Kaliningrad Seaport;
- boundaries of areas A1 and A2 of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System;
- transmission of navigation and weather information to masters of vessels staying in the seaport,
- transmission of information by masters of vessels staying in the seaport in case of threat of illegal intrusive activities in the seaport;
and other information stipulated by the merchant shipping legislation of the Russian Federation.
 
In comparison with the former Compulsory Regulations in Kaliningrad Seaport, which were approved by FSE Administration of Kaliningrad Seaport in 2006, its new edition underwent drastic changes in order to meet the unified requirements of the Ministry of Transport of Russia to the structure and content of compulsory regulations in the seaports of the Russian Federation.

In particular, the new document contains definition of favorable weather conditions at Kaliningrad Sea Canal, which are: wind up to 10 mps and visibility up to 2 miles, and allow harbor fleet vessels, vessels with the length of up to 20 meters and vessels with the length of up to 120 meters, tow boats, lighters go separate ways.

Besides, the new Compulsory Regulations in Kaliningrad Seaport contain information on survey pegs designating the boundaries of Kaliningrad Seaport water area, which are located every 100 meters on the coastline and the dams of the Kaliningrad sea canal and are designed to make vessel orientation easier.
 
The Ministry of Transport of Russia order approving the new Compulsory Regulations in Kalininrgad Seaport will come into force within 10 days after its official publication, in accordance with the established procedure.