Obsolete Fleet Law Puts 70% of Rostov Exports at Risk

A federal bill banning obsolete vessels could jeopardize up to 70% of exports from Russia's Rostov Region, warns a local export director.

Feb 1, 2026

The proposed restrictions have already drawn criticism from fishing industry associations.
Source:
Evgeny Vdovin / 161.RU

The Rostov Region may lose up to 70% of its exports due to a pending federal «obsolete fleet» law. This warning was issued by Denis Brodsky, the export director of the company Yug Rusi, at the regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

According to him, the export of agricultural products from the region is mainly carried out by sea and river transport. «The Russian Ministry of Transport is currently finalizing the preparation of a new bill on restricting the use of obsolete vessels. And we can state with full responsibility that 70% of exports will become impossible (if the law is passed),» Brodsky stated.

He explained that the bill is currently poorly controlled, and it is difficult for businesses to influence its development. Questions remain regarding the practical implementation of the new norms.

The law proposes a ban on using vessels over 40 years old. The initiative was announced in early August 2025 at a meeting with First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov. The ban is planned to be introduced gradually, with full effect from January 1, 2030. The Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade has been instructed to prepare an appropriate program.

Earlier, the All-Russian Association of Fishing Industry Enterprises, Entrepreneurs and Exporters (VARPE) had already complained about this same bill. The association claimed that if restrictions are introduced, industrial fishing in the Azov-Black Sea basin could come to a complete halt.