Norwegian firm gets green light for reloading of Russian oil
05-06-08 The company ShipCargo has got green light from Norwegian environmental authorities for massive reloading of Russian oil in two fjords close to the Russian border.
Environmentalists are protesting the decision, saying that the shipping poses a major threat to the vulnerable coastal waters by the Barents Sea.
The Norwegian Pollution Control Authority (SFT) has given permission for 450 reloading operations in the fjords Korsfjorden and Bokfjorden. The two fjords are located just few km from the border to Russia.
ShipCargo will be allowed to reload heavy oil products in the period 15 October–1 May, and light oil products until 1 June. It is expected that the Russian LUKoil and Rosneft will among the providers of the oil.
Shipping companies have earlier been prohibited oil reloading in the area because of the fjords' salmon stocks.
ShipCargo Kirkenes is a joint venture between Henriksen Shipping Services, Kirkenes and ShipCargo, Denmark.
Source:
www.barentsobserver.com