Bering Strait port access route study available for public comment

News was prepared under the information support of Online Daily Newspaper on Hellenic and international Shipping "Hellenic Shipping News".

19 Nov 2010

The US Coast Guard is seeking input from the public to evaluate the need for establishing vessel routing measures in the Bering Strait. The port access route study will assess whether the creation of a vessel routing system is advisable. It is hoped that this will increase the predictability of vessel movements, which may decrease the potential for collisions, oil spills and other events that might threaten the local marine environment. 
Since 2007’s record minimum for summer ice cover in the Arctic, international attention has been focused on the region and its potential accessibility for shipping and natural gas exploration.
The Coast Guard is now encouraging comments to ensure that concerns of all interested parties are considered. The recommendations relating to this study may lead to future rule-making action, or appropriate international agreements.
Comments may be submitted online, sent through mail or faxed to 202-493-2251 and should be identified by USCG-2010-0833.
The website for submitting comments online is http://www.regulations.gov.
The public comment period is open until May 9, 2011.

Source: Portworld