This year, 25 vessels have been raised and disposed of from the waters of five Far Eastern regions, with the majority in the Sakhalin Region. By the end of the year, another 57 such objects are planned to be removed from the seabed. The work is being carried out under the federal project "General Cleaning". The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of Russia announced this on its website.
"Sunken vessels have been polluting marine ecosystems for decades, hindering navigation and fishing, and creating problems for the development of coastal areas. A comprehensive approach has made it possible to organize not only their liquidation but also to tighten legislation so that in the future it would be unprofitable for shipowners to dispose of property in this way. By the end of 2024, another 57 sunken vessels will be removed from sea bays," said the head of the department, Alexander Kozlov.
As the ministry noted, over time, sunken vessels corrode and rust, along with residues of fuel and other pollutants, is carried by water currents, creating an unfavorable habitat for marine life. Clearing the waters significantly reduces harm to the environment.
To remove an abandoned object, it is first raised to the surface. If necessary, the vessel is refloated and then transported to land. It is then dismantled into parts and taken for disposal. Subsequently, scrap metal can be used in the production of cast iron, steel, and alloys.
Work to clear the waters of sunken vessels in the Far East began in 2020. The government has developed a corresponding "roadmap". And to prevent the appearance of new "ship cemeteries", in 2022, a ban was introduced on the deliberate sinking of vessels, as well as requirements for ship owners to raise and dispose of their property. This was done so that owners would not shift their responsibility and financial obligations to taxpayers, the message says.
In total, during the operation of the federal project "General Cleaning", 156 vessels have been removed from sea bays. By the end of December of this year, there will be 213.
