For example, no reliable data is available on the state of repair or replacement of various marks, so these navigation aids may no longer be functional, particularly in the eastern NSR. Moreover, the plans for DGPS land stations were in the testing phase in 1998, and no new information on their implementation is forthcoming.
(2) Ports
The NSR is a direct sea route linking the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, as opposed to the roundabout southern route through the Suez Canal. It links the cities of northern Russia to the cities of Europe, Japan and North America, and serves as an inter-city route in northern Russia. In this sense the ports along the NSR have a critical role to play in its success. These ports are of great value in providing this shipping route with provisions, emergency repairs and rescue operations. With this in mind, the approximate distances between primary ports and positions on the NSR and adjacent waters are summarized in Table 4.2-1.
Table 4.2-1 Distances between ports and positions on the NSR and adjacent waters
The arrival of foreign vessels at ports along the NSR is restricted by the Russian government. At the beginning of each year, the Russian government posts a "Notice to Mariners" listing the ports that are open to foreign ships in that year. In 1997, for example, the ports of Igarka, Dikson, Tiksi and Pevek were declared open; in the following year, Amderma, Yamburg, Dudinka, Khatanga, Zelenyy Mys and Provideniya were added to the list for a total of 10 open ports. It is difficult to forecast whether these ports will remain open in the future or whether new ports will be added, as these questions depend on federal and local government policies. Unfortunately, many of the ports that have been opened do not meet the requirements of an international port. Below we provide a brief overview of each of the ports open in 1998.
