OREANDA-NEWS. July 09, 2009. Murmansk Oblast's notification of invitation to tenders for the Murmansk Transport Hub development, was released this week. The total costs of contracts at this stage are 995 million Rubles, of which 463 million Rubles shall be used in 2009.

The new Murmansk Oblast Guvernor, Dmitry Dmitriyenko, has made it his top priority to realize the completion of the Murmansk Transport Hub development. The giant reconstruction of Murmansk Harbour and adjacent areas has been planned for years. Now the project is financed and construction works can start.

According to Managing Director Rune Rautio in Norwegian consulting company Rambшll Storvik, the entire project amounts up to 995 million rubles (23 million EUR), of which 463 (10,5 million EUR) will be used in 2009. The development will be financed with state funds. Rautio says that the demands for contractors are tough and they must guarantee for 30 percent of the costs during development.

There have been speculations weather the Russians would be able to realize all of the planned projects in the middle of a period of financial crisis. However, the notification of invitation to tenders wipes all skeptics aside.

Rautio believes that there is a good possibility for Norwegian and other foreign companies to bid for contracts. However, it will be difficult for companies without Russian partners. Which parts of the projects will be prioritized in the development is yet not clear.