Russia Proposes Barring Foreign-Flagged Ships Over 40 Years Old From Its Ports

On October 30, Russia's Ministry of Transport announced the launch of a public consultation on a draft federal law that would restrict access to Russian seaports for aging vessels. The proposal would ban entry for foreign-flagged ships over 40 years old and set a 50-year age limit for Russian-flagged vessels, as part of an effort to tighten oversight of the fleet carrying the country's maritime trade.

Russian-flagged vessels over 50 years old would be granted a transition period tied to the validity of their class certificates, allowing them to operate until those certificates expire. Foreign-flagged vessels over 30 years old, meanwhile, would need to obtain annual confirmation of compliance with maritime safety and environmental protection requirements, a document to be issued by the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping. The assessment would take into account compliance with scheduled surveys, inspections and repairs, as well as the availability of insurance coverage.

The bill would also require maritime cargo transport contracts to specify the use of vessels that meet safety requirements and hold valid inspection certificates, while port terminal operators would become part of the chain of liability for navigational safety. According to the ministry, the measures aim to reduce accidents and environmental incidents, encourage fleet renewal and discourage the practice of reflagging old Russian vessels to foreign registries in order to continue carrying Russian cargo. If approved, the law would take effect 180 days after its official publication.

The initiative advances a process Moscow has been developing for more than a year: the ministry had already outlined the 40-year limit for foreign vessels back in July. On that same occasion, the ministry estimated that by 2030 some 733 vessels aged between 40 and 49 years and 335 vessels aged 50 or older, not counting river vessels, would still be calling at Russian ports. Deputy Transport Minister Alexander Poshivay said last month that the restrictions would not be adopted until there was confidence that replacement vessels could be secured, acknowledging capacity constraints, pricing and construction lead times at domestic shipyards.

Construction of replacement vessels is already underway: United Shipbuilding Corporation began steel cutting in September for its first unified river-sea platform dry cargo vessel at the Krasnoye Sormovo shipyard. Sources agree that the proposal remains subject to public consultation and the legislative approval process before becoming enforceable law.