THE foreign minister of Bangladesh said it was “surprising” Russia knowingly sent a sanctioned ship to deliver equipment for the Rooppur nuclear power plant, according to a Lloyd’s List Intelligence correspondent.
AK Abdul Momen told Moscow that Bangladesh would not accept any Russian ships linked to US sanctions, noting the good relationship the country has developed with Washington.
Mr Momen hoped the cargo will be sent by a non-sanctioned ship.
Russian state-owned general cargoship Ursa Major (IMO: 9538892) departed the Bay of Bengal on January 19 after being denied access to ports in Bangladesh and India. Russian officials indicated the ship will return to Russia.
Rosatom, a Moscow-based state corporation specialising in nuclear energy, is thought to have chartered the ship given its active role in the construction of the Rooppur NPP.
Lloyd’s List contacted Rosatom to confirm the hiring of Ursa Major.
“Rosatom is responsible for respecting the construction schedule at all its facilities, including Rooppur NPP in Bangladesh,” the statement said. “As part of this project, we interact with a large number of partners on a wide range of tasks, including working out optimal logistics routes.”
The vessel is currently signalling Shanghai as its destination with an estimated arrival on January 31, according to vessel tracking data.
https://lloydslist.maritimeintelligence.informa.com/LL1143731/Bangladesh-foreign-minister-surprised-Russia-used-sanctioned-vessel
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