Russia has built and is implementing a series of comprehensive measures to ensure maritime safety, in the context that the risk of terrorist attacks and sabotage targeting ships heading towards Russian ports remains high.
The information was shared by Assistant to President Vladimir Putin and Chairman of the Russian Maritime Council Nikolay Patrushev in an interview with Kommersant newspaper.
According to available information, the risk of terrorist threats and sabotage targeting ships entering Russian ports has not decreased. Therefore, we have built and are implementing a comprehensive package of measures to ensure maritime safety," explained President Vladimir Putin's aide.
According to him, Russia is conducting inspections of ships from abroad, establishing a coordination process between ship owners and seaport authorities, and strengthening supervision of ships transporting goods serving Russia's interests.
Information about all maritime facilities participating in economic activities is processed in real time to prevent the risk of unexpected attacks on bases, ports, ships and vehicles at sea," Mr. Nikolay Patrushev emphasized.
The Russian Presidential Assistant added that those in charge of monitoring port operations may be empowered to request mobile fire support groups to escort ships flying the Russian flag.
“Currently, we are developing a plan to deploy special protection equipment on ships. Measures to escort the merchant fleet by navy ships are also being considered. We realize that political, diplomatic and legal measures are not always effective in dealing with the campaign that the West launched against Russia's maritime transport activities. If new threats from European countries at sea arise, we will develop additional measures,” he added.
