Russian Fleet Management Overhaul: Ministry Proposes New Marine Administration

The Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation has proposed establishing a new federal budget institution—the Marine Administration. This body will be formed using the existing administrations of sea ports and will operate as a subordinate entity under the Ministry.

The proposed organization intends to centralize several key management functions for the Russian fleet. Specifically, the Marine Administration will oversee state ship registration, the formalization of ownership rights, and the processing of related transactions, while also acting as a protector of the Russian fleet's interests. Currently, these administrative powers are distributed among individual sea port captains.

Digitalization and Fleet Monitoring

To accelerate documentation, registration procedures will shift to a "single window" principle. The Marine Administration will also manage seafarer certification, with plans to unify these processes and move them into a digital format.

Additionally, the agency will launch a monitoring system for ships operating in the World Ocean. This tool is designed to track:

• Vessel location and technical condition;
• Crew complements and compliance with labor standards;
• Interactions with foreign maritime administrations.

Impact on Port Captains

The establishment of this centralized body will necessitate a revision of the powers held by sea port captains. While they will retain their special status, their responsibilities will narrow to direct port operations. Their remaining scope of authority includes:

• Control over vessels;
• Processing ship arrivals and departures;
• Ensuring navigation safety within ports and their approaches.

Source: This article was adapted from an original Russian-language publication by Pravda.Ru