Artic Sea News

Russia has submitted its bid for vast territories in the Arctic to the United Nations, AP reported as the Foreign Ministry saying. The ministry said in a statement that Russia is claiming 1.2 million square kilometres (over 463,000 square miles) of Artic sea shelf extending more than 350 nautical miles (about 650 kilometres) from the shore. It said the bid contains new arguments. “Ample scientific data collected in years of Arctic research are used to back the Russian claim,” it said. Moscow also is asserting ownership of the emerging Northern Sea Route, the potentially lucrative seasonal shipping route opening above its northern coastline as Arctic ice melts. Rivalry for Arctic resources has intensified as shrinking polar ice is opening up new opportunities for exploration.

During the Italy-Russia Business Forum in Trieste, Italy, Fincantieri secured a contract to build a semi-submersible floating platform for the transportation of nuclear submarine reactor compartments. The company also signed an agreement to define plans for an advanced technology offshore energy drill-ship. Fincantieri has been contracted by RosRAO, the Federal State Unitary Enterprise for radioactive waste management, to build a semi-submersible floating platform for the transportation of nuclear submarine reactor compartments.

PetroMarker recently carried out an EM campaign in the Barents Sea. In the course of July-August 2012, PetroMarker performed a number of EM surveys in the Norwegian sector of the Barents Sea. More and more oil companies see the advantage of PetroMarker’s unique EM technology to evaluate prospective acreage, particularly in the Barents Sea. PetroMarker made a presentation at the EAGE conference in Vienna about the results of an EM survey performed on the Snøhvit (Snow-White) field, highlighting the penetration and resolution displayed by of vertical EM.

In an August 27 update, rhe Maritime Security Committee said that it would like to inform the public that the Maltese Authorities formally and officially requested the Russian Authorities to allow Maltese representatives to go to Russia and participate in the ongoing investigations. This request was made in terms of Malta’s rights and obligations as the flag State. The Russian Authorities have officially confirmed earlier today that the request by the Maltese Authorities to send a representative to Russia was being acceded to and that the Russian Authorities would be providing all the information regarding this case. The Committee has been in continuous contact with the Russian Authorities as part of its own investigations.

The Maritime Security Committee, with the assistance of the Maltese liaison team stationed in Helsinki since early August, have continued to closely monitor developments of the incident involving the MV Arctic Sea. The Committee would like to clarify that the movements of the MV Arctic Sea were always known for several days, notwithstanding reports that the ship had “disappeared.” There was consensus amongst the investigating authorities of Finland, Malta and Sweden not to disclose any sensitive information in order not to jeopardize the life and safety of the persons on board and the integrity of the ship. It was confirmed through Russian authorities that eight persons are being detained by them in connection with the incident.

Following communications between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Russian authorities, the Maritime Security Committee confirms that the MV Arctic Sea is under the control of the Russian military forces. Further clarifications into the case are being sought. The Committee continues to monitor the unfolding of events through diplomatic, security service, flag administration, military and police channels as it has been doing on a daily basis in collaboration with other jurisdictions having an interest in the case. A co-ordination team based in Finland included Maltese representatives of the Malta Maritime Authority, the Police and the Security Service. Any additional information will be released once it has been confirmed.