Russian authorities have tightened security measures at ports, including by hiring divers to carry out underwater inspections of ships, in response to growing threats to commercial shipping and infrastructure, according to a letter seen by Reuters, BTA reports.
The letter, issued by the Russian Transport Ministry and the federal agency for maritime and river transport (Rosmorrechflot), instructed seaport captains to inform shipowners that all vessels will have to be checked for foreign objects on the hull and explosives upon arrival at seaports, including with the help of divers and telemetry equipment for underwater inspections.
In the letter dated February 14 It is said to pose an increased threat to the safe operation of transport infrastructure and commercial ships carrying dangerous and high-risk goods.
Three oil tankers in the Mediterranean Sea and another in the Baltic Sea have been damaged by explosions in the past month in separate incidents, with the causes unknown, Reuters reported.