MURMANSK, March 14. /TASS/. The Murmansk Marine Fishing Port in February handled 7,400 tonnes of fish against 22,000 tonnes a year earlier, the port’s press service said on Thursday.
The decline began in January, when the port handled only 5,500 tonnes, which is 47% of fish handled a year earlier. One of the reasons, the press service said, is that producers had preferred working in export directions.
At the same time, the Murmansk Marine Fish Port expects the situation will change in March.
"We do not lose hope the government’s order will begin working," the press service said. "Under the order, from January 1 all fish produced in the Barents Sea is to be taken to Russian ports."
"In March, the production area shifts to the east, closer to Murmansk, thus vessels find it more convenient to call on us other than on Norway’s ports," the press service said.
Over the first half of March, 2019, the port handled more fish than it did over January, the statement stressed.
The Murmansk Marine Fish Port is a stevedoring company, involved in handling fish products, as well as other civil and military cargoes.