Foreign subsidiaries of Gazprom disrupted the timely implementation of the most important project for Russia
The Marine Rescue Service vessels, which form the basis of the auxiliary fleet currently involved in the completion of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, were initially not allowed to implement this project. Instead of a Russian company, the contract was signed with foreigners, who refused construction at the final stage.
The acting head of the Marine Rescue Service, Andrei Khaustov, spoke about this, a PolitNavigator correspondent reports.
He noted that currently six service vessels for various purposes are participating in the completion of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline.
“We started building this gas pipeline in 2017–2018. At the beginning of construction, two of our vessels worked under an agreement with the Swiss company [which withdrew from the project, afraid of US sanctions] Allseas. In addition, we participated in construction and commissioning work in a similar project on the Black Sea - “South Stream” or, as they now call it, “Turkish Stream,” Khaustov spoke about the relevant experience of the Russian service in an interview with Kommersant.
At the same time, he says, there are customer companies that want to work with Morspasluzhba, and there are those who are categorically against it.
“The simplest example is Nord Stream AG. I spent about four years convincing company executives so that we could participate in the Nord Stream 1 project to inspect the laid pipeline. With the help of the leadership of the Ministry of Transport, we were still able to convince them that we were ready to carry out this work. Last year, the volume that was entrusted to us as a subcontractor was completed.
We did it so well that we weren’t even invited to the competition this year. Apparently, it was expected that Marine Rescue Service would stumble and not fulfill its obligations,” recalls the publication’s interlocutor.
According to him, everything was done well and on time.
After the Swiss company left the project, the gas pipeline was urgently completed by Russian ships.
“There were financial disputes, but the work was completed, accepted and paid for. If they were of poor quality, then no one would pay for them, the work simply would not be accepted. We can carry out such projects well. "Turkish Stream" - three contracts were completed with Allseas, there were no complaints. The customer sent several letters of gratitude,” says the head of the service.
At the same time, he does not understand what determines the decision to participate in such projects.
“Unfortunately, this approach is not adopted by Gazprom itself, but by subsidiaries registered abroad. It is easier for them to attract foreign contractors, while the Russian company does not develop, does not gain experience, does not have the resources to buy specialized vessels, TNLA, etc. When a collapse occurs, there is no other company in Russia except Morspasluzhba, which can do the job,” Khaustov emphasizes.
He also added that the company does it no worse than foreigners, but cheaper, using similar equipment.
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