Russian Port Operator FSUE Rosmorport Launches Tender for Vessel Inspectors
Russian port operator FSUE Rosmorport has recently announced a tender seeking inspectors for vessels arriving at its Baltic seaports. The inspections will focus on checking below the waterline and the underside of vessels to detect unknown objects and possible explosives, as reported by the Moscow Times.
The decision to launch this tender comes in the wake of a series of unexplained incidents in the seaports, with the most recent occurring two weeks ago involving the LPG carrier Eco Wizard. Authorities initially described the incident as a minor leak of ammonia during loading. However, the Telegram channel Baza raised concerns of sabotage, noting two holes in the hull and inward-bent metal, suggesting external force.
Earlier this year, another vessel in Ust-Luga suffered damage in similar circumstances, with local authorities quick to label it as sabotage despite official attempts to downplay the incident.
FSUE Rosmorport has put forth four contracts worth a total of $39.5 million for underwater inspections at the Baltic seaports. The selected companies will utilize sonar equipment, unmanned vehicles, and other tools to examine the vessels thoroughly, focusing on areas like the propeller and rudder system, thrusters, bow bulb, sea chests, and more, in search of potential explosives.
The contracts are divided by port, with one each for St. Petersburg, Ust-Luga and Primorsk, Vysotsk and Vyborg, and Kaliningrad, offering opportunities for interested companies to participate in the auction until July 24, with winners set to be announced on August 4.