PRESS: Energy Min wants to postpone tanker localization rating

MOSCOW, Mar 18 (PRIME) -- The Energy Ministry has asked the Industry and Trade Ministry to delay introduction of sea tanker localization ratings at least until 2022 to ensure construction by the Zvesda shipyard of a tanker fleet for hydrocarbon carriage via the Northeast Passage, according to a letter cited by business daily Kommersant. 

Sources said that the measures might be important for the fleet ordered by Rosneft for its Vostok Oil project.

Rosneft declined to comment.

Alexei Isachkin, department head of the Industry and Trade Ministry, and CEO of United Shipbuilding Corporation Alexei Rakhmanov spoke against the postponement. "It is crucial to minimize exemptions," Rakhmanov said.

End %%mk/jst%%