Russian President Vladimir Putin, during a meeting with the governor of the Murmansk Region, Andrei Chibis, supported the initiative of the head of the region to gradually transfer coal transshipment from Murmansk to the specialized port infrastructure being created on the western shore of the Kola Bay. This solution will minimize the spread of coal dust in the territory of the regional center.
"One of the important issues, taking into account the new port of Lavna, which I would like to discuss, is, of course, the current coal transshipment in the city center," the governor noted.
Coal transshipment in the port of Murmansk has been carried out since Soviet times and has traditionally been carried out by an open grab method since then. The functioning of such production facilities in the urban area in close proximity to residential buildings adversely affects the overall environmental situation.
"For people now, in addition to other issues, this is one of the most sensitive aspects," said Andrey Chibis.
Recall that in the spring of this year, an analysis of the work of the environmental laboratory was carried out, the grades of coal that cause increased dusting were specified and it was decided not to send them to the port from the beginning of March.
It should be noted that MMTP uses technologies in its activities aimed at reducing the negative environmental consequences of overloading, but the use of these measures contributes exclusively to reducing the negative impact and does not give the effect of completely eliminating the ingress of coal dust into residential buildings.
Andrey Chibis also noted that the anchor project of the MTU is the construction of the Lavna coal transshipment complex, the first port terminal in Murmansk with a capacity of 18 million tons since the Soviet era. This is a specialized terminal where coal transshipment will be carried out in a completely closed manner, which minimizes the negative impact on the environment. The terminal is in the final stage of construction and will be operational by the end of 2024.
"Given that the Avalanche will be completed this year, according to all forecasts and that status, I, of course, would ask for your support for the phased transfer of coal from the city center to the west bank. This, of course, should not be instantaneous, overnight. We have to save the port. We have already raised the issue with the company's management, and we understand that we will move in this direction. The only thing I would like to ask for your approval and instructions here. And, of course, the Government's assistance, because when coal goes to the west coast, we need to work together to ensure that other cargoes are in this port, so that the enterprise itself does not stop, but functions. This is, of course, an important and fundamental issue for us," the head of the region stressed.
The Government of the Murmansk Region is working with the owners of the MMTP in terms of the phased reorientation of coal transshipment to the western shore of the gulf with the elaboration of the issue of replacing coal with other types of cargo. The Government of the Murmansk Region is ready to assist the company in projects aimed at diversifying the cargo base.
Taking into account the potential for the development of the MTU, the construction of a specialized Lavna terminal, and the agreements reached, Vladimir Putin supported the proposal of the governor of the Murmansk Region, and also instructed the Government of the Russian Federation to consider the phased transfer of coal transshipment to the specialized port infrastructure being created on the western shore of the Kola Bay and the development of an action plan for the reorientation of coal transshipment and replacement of coal with other types cargo at the port of Murmansk.
Currently, the Government of the Murmansk Region, in accordance with the decree of the President, continues systematic work on the integrated development of the Murmansk seaport, the development of the Murmansk transport hub as a multimodal transport hub, the construction of new terminals and transshipment complexes on the territory of the port of Murmansk.
Thus, thanks to the support of Vladimir Putin, the project "Integrated development of the Murmansk transport hub" is being successfully implemented.
The MTU provides for the construction and reconstruction of port infrastructure facilities on the shore of the Kola Bay, including the construction of a railway line to the western shore of the Kola Bay "Sevodny – Lavna". Recall that in December 2023, the President launched the working movement on the MTU railway.
/ Ministry of Information Policy of the Murmansk Region /