The Federal Law is aimed at developing water tourism in Russia, including inbound tourism, increasing foreign tourism to Russia, and augmenting the scope of operations of the Russian companies providing services for sports and pleasure vessels.
Under the Inland Water Transport Code of the Russian Federation, vessels are permitted to operate on inland waterways only under the national flag of the Russian Federation. The Government of the Russian Federation may choose to permit certain vessels under foreign flags to operate on inland waterways, including for the purpose of transit.
The Federal Law introduces corresponding amendments to the Code’s provisions to establish new procedures and conditions for vessels under foreign flags to operate on inland waterways, and supplements the Code with the article On Sailing of Vessels under Foreign Flags on Inland Waterways.
The current restrictions do not apply to sports and pleasure vessels, whose regulations for sailing on inland waterways under a foreign flag are established by the Government of the Russian Federation.