Russia has opened its inland waterways to foreign-flagged ships, following amendments to the Russian Inland Water Transport Code signed by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and posted on the Kremlin website on Thursday.
The amendments were previously approved by both houses of Russia’s parliament.
The amendments allow navigation of foreign-flagged vessels in the Russian inland waterways for sporting, cultural and recreational purposes, if they carry no more than 18 people on board, including no more than 12 passengers. Navigation will be carried out in accordance with the regulations set by the Russian government.
The crews of foreign-flagged ships must have all necessary documentation confirming the vessel’s type and designation and the right to sail under the flag of the country they are registered in.
All foreign-flagged ships are subject to compulsory pilotage in Russian inland waterways, unless otherwise stipulated in Russia’s international treaties.
The Russian government is empowered to approve the lists of ports and internal waterways open for foreign-flagged ships.