MURMANSK
PORT – GEOGRAPHY
News: India accounts for 35% of cargo
handled by Murmansk this year
What's
in the news?
● India's
increasing engagement with Russia's Arctic region, particularly focusing on the
strengthening trade relationship and exploration of the Northern Sea Route
(NSR)
Murmansk
Port:
● The
seaport of Murmansk is one of the largest
ice-free ports in Russia.
● It
is located on the Kola Peninsula at the
coast of the Barents Sea.
● It
is about 2,000 km northwest of Moscow.
● The
port is navigated all year round. The dimensions of vessels calling at the port
of Murmansk are not limited.
● The
main port capabilities are located on the western coast of Kola Bay, among them
the mooring berths of the commercial port (including passenger area), fishing
port, ship-repair yard, shipyard, oil terminal, and FSUE Atomflot premises.
● On
the eastern coast of Kola Bay there is a number of small fish and fleet
maintenance terminals.
Kola
Peninsula:
● It
is situated in northwest Russia
which is one of the most important economic regions in the circumpolar North.
● The
region contains valuable natural resources, including a wide variety of mineral
and fish resources, and is proximate to the large gas fields of the Barents
Sea.
● A
large population, industrial complexes, and military infrastructure are also
characteristic of the region.
India-Russia
Sea-Corridor Proposal:
● India
and Russia consider a sea-corridor
proposal linking Chennai and Vladivostok for transit container traffic.
● A
transport and logistics hub in Vladivostok would reduce delivery time and
increase route profitability.
● The
corridor project could enhance trade between India, Far East countries, and
boost cargo transportation between ports.
● Rosatom
seeks Indian shipping company participation to develop transit container
traffic along the NSR.