Latest news with #Rosrybolovstvo
Russia Today
a day ago
- Business
- Russia Today
Sierra Leone to host Russian fishing fleet under new deal
Sierra Leone's government is prepared to grant Russian fishing operators an annual catch quota of 40,000 tons, along with investment incentives aimed at boosting bilateral cooperation in the sector, the Russian Federal Agency for Fisheries (Rosrybolovstvo) has announced. The agency said the move was discussed during the inaugural session of the Russian-Sierra Leone Fisheries Commission held in Freetown, the capital of the West African country. 'The country [Sierra Leone] is interested in attracting up to 20 vessels to work in its exclusive economic zone,' Rosrybolovstvo wrote on its official Telegram channel. According to the statement, scientists from the two countries previously conducted marine biology research to assess the biomass and distribution of small pelagic fish species as part of the Great African Expedition launched by Rosrybolovstvo last August. The two sides are expected to launch detailed negotiations on operations in Sierra Leonean waters once research data is processed and interest by fishing companies in specific fish stocks and other marine resources is evaluated. Rosrybolovstvo added that the African country is also seeking cooperation with Moscow on port development, fleet modernization, and investment in coastal refrigeration and oversight systems. Russia's engagement in Africa has intensified in recent years, with several nations seeking joint projects with Moscow in defense, energy, education, and trade. The Kremlin has declared strengthening ties with the continent a top foreign-policy priority. In January, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova confirmed plans for new embassies to be established in several African nations, including Sierra Leone. For now, the Consulate General in Freetown remains Russia's primary diplomatic representation in the country. A series of agreements have been signed in recent weeks between Russia and African countries, including peaceful nuclear energy cooperation deals with Burkina Faso and Mali covering infrastructure development and joint projects in healthcare and agriculture. On Wednesday, TASS quoted Sierra Leonean ambassador to Russia Mohamed Yongawo as saying that his country seeks cooperation with Russian IT firms such as Yandex, particularly in the fields of education and healthcare. He reportedly made the remarks during a plenary session at the XVI International IT Forum in the central Russian city of Khanty-Mansiysk.
Russia Today
15-05-2025
- General
- Russia Today
Legendary Russian ship arrives in Mauritius (VIDEO, PHOTOS)
Iconic Russian ship the Kruzenshtern arrived in the port of Port Louis, Mauritius, on Wednesday for an official visit as part of its 'Sails of Victory' international voyage, the Russian embassy has reported. The vessel was greeted offshore by Russian windsurfers, a kitesurfer, and a foiler, who were welcomed by the crew from the deck. Embassy officials noted that despite facing challenging sea conditions while sailing from Cape Town, South Africa, the ship completed its journey as planned. In addition to its traditional training mission, the Kruzenshtern – which is operated by the Russian Federal Agency for Fisheries (Rosrybolovstvo) – also organized a children's art exhibition onboard and a message-in-a-bottle campaign. According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, it is the ship's first visit to Mauritius in nearly two decades, the last being during its second global circumnavigation almost 20 years ago. The current voyage – its 135th – began in mid-March and is dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the Soviet victory in World War II. The four-month journey includes training exercises for 135 cadets supported by a permanent crew of around 60 sailors. The vessel is scheduled to return to its home port of Kaliningrad by the end of July. Speaking to TASS, the ship's captain, Mikhail Yeremchenko, highlighted the significance of Mauritius as a port of call. He explained that the visit commemorates an act of Soviet solidarity from 1975, when the island was devastated by tropical cyclone Gervaise. Yeremchenko said Soviet ships sailed more than 2,500 miles and deployed 300 sailors to provide aid just five days after the disaster. 'The capital of this island nation, Port Louis, where we arrived today, appeared on our route for a reason. The people of Mauritius still remember and are grateful to the Soviet sailors who came to their aid exactly half a century ago. That's what this visit is about,' he said. Prior to its arrival in Mauritius, the Kruzenshtern visited a South African port. While in Cape Town, the crew paid tribute to Russian sailors buried in Simon's Town between 1809 and 1912 and laid flowers at a memorial dedicated to the 60th anniversary of the Soviet victory in WWII. The Kruzenshtern, originally built in 1926 in Germany under the name Padua, is one of the world's ten largest sailing ships. In 1946, the vessel was transferred to the Soviet Union as part of war reparations. Under the Soviet Navy's flag, the barque was renamed in honor of Admiral Ivan Kruzenshtern, who led the first Russian circumnavigation expedition from 1803 to 1806. Today, it serves as a Russian sail training ship.
