Ship owners with activities related to Russia have been instructed on how to coordinate with the Russian Navy. At the same time, the supervision of cargo ships serving Russia has also been strengthened, Mr. Patrushev said.
The protection measures that Russia is implementing to prevent the seizure of Russian ships include:
Operators and ship owners transporting goods to and from Russia receive detailed instructions on operating coordination with ports and navies. These measures are mainly concentrated in the Azov Sea - Black Sea and the Baltic Sea region to ensure a safe and smooth journey.
To enhance maritime safety, the Russian Navy will monitor escorted ships and monitor maritime areas.
The surveillance of cargo ships serving Russia has been tightened. Authorities can, through port officials, request mobile firepower units to escort Russian-flagged ships, thereby strengthening security at sea.
Russia also expressed its views on the West's actions to increase pressure on Russian cargo ships. "Western countries, amid escalating tensions, continue to provoke ships transporting goods to Russia," the statement said.
A statement from the Maritime Council pointed out that some ships, despite fully complying with maritime regulations, were still inspected and arrested for reasons that Russia considers unfounded.
Russia accuses the West of targeting Russia's shadow fleet, in order to limit or prevent ships transporting goods related to Russia.
The level of risk to ships leaving Russian ports is increasing, including the risk of being attacked or terrorist acts: "The risk of illegal acts and terrorist attacks targeting ships leaving Russian ports is increasing" - the statement also noted.
Russia believes that Ukraine's attack on the Arctic-Metagaz oil tanker poses a serious environmental threat to the Mediterranean region. Current weather conditions may increase the risk of ships drifting uncontrollably into the waters of Libya, Italy, Malta and other coastal countries.
Damage to the ship, along with fire and gas leaks, could cause catastrophic environmental consequences for the Mediterranean coastal areas," the statement stated.
Russia believes that coastal countries and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) have not yet assessed the attack on the Arctic-Metagaz ship.
Regarding the incident, Russia proposed strengthening cooperation with Mediterranean countries to handle the consequences of the oil tanker attack. Russia pointed out that, according to international law, "the aggressor must be responsible and compensate for damages caused by the attack on Russia's Arctic-Metagaz ship".
