In the first quarter of 2019, Rosatom State Corporation will submit draft regulations to the Russian Government that are intended to divide authority for the overseeing of the Northern Sea Route between Rosatom and the Transport Ministry, Rosatom Director General Alexei Likhachyov announced.

On December 11, the State Duma passed a bill in the third and final reading on Rosatom's responsibilities as the Northern Sea Route operator. The bill entrusts Rosatom with providing state services in maritime activities and state property management in the area of the Northern Sea Route and adjacent territories. It is expected that transferring new authorities to Rosatom will increase the efficiency of government supervision of the development and sustainable operation of the Northern Sea Route, as well as the infrastructure of its seaports.

"The law involves a large number of regulations and decisions at the government level. We are ready to implement it in terms of developing a legal framework. During the first quarter, we will need to submit the finished set of legislative instruments that will clearly divide the responsibilities between the Ministry of Transport and Rosatom," Likhachyov said.

The issue of dividing the powers has been a "sharp point of discussion" during the drafting and passing of the law, Likhachyov pointed out.

"Rosatom will never claim any regulatory or watchdog powers. The company wants to be an infrastructure operator which, with its icebreaker capacities, can deal with a number of other issues related to the development of the Arctic's resources and facilities."

Now that the dust has settled, Rosatom and the Transport Ministry are beginning to work together on practical matters, the Rosatom chief added.