The 2009 statistics from Storskog border station shows that it is both more Russian and more Norwegian citizens that crossed the border last year. The increase was highest in the second half of 2009.
The number of Russian citizens was up with 6,680 persons from 63,727 in 2008 to 70,407 in 2009. The number of Norwegians crossing the border to Russia was up with 809 persons from 18,315 in 2008 to 19,124 in 2009. The rest is other nationalities and Russian seamen with seamen passports.
The numbers of Russian seamen from Murmansk crossing the border on their way to or from their fishing boats moored in the harbors in Eastern Finnmark, especially in Kirkenes. The number of seamen crossing the border is however down last year, from 19,025 in 2008 to 15,480 in 2009.
Yesterday, BarentsObserver reported that the Norwegian General Consulate in Murmansk issued near 15,000 visas to citizens living in the Russian part of the Barents Region, an increase by 8 percent compared with 2008.
Starting from December 2008, all inhabitants of Murmansk and Arkhangelsk Oblasts can get a so-called “Pomor-visa”, a multi-entry visa without having a special invitation from someone in Norway. However, for first time travellers, a single-entry visa will be issued. Then a one-year valid multi-entry visa will be issued, thereafter a three-year valid visa and finally the person can obtain a five-year valid multi-entry visa to Norway.
In November last year, BarentsObserver reported that a brand new border station is planned for Storskog, to meet the expected growth in traffic between Northern Norway and Russia’s Kola Peninsula. The new border station is estimated to cost some 150 to 230 million Norwegian kroner (Euro 18 to 27 millions).
Russia opened a new border station at Borisoglebsk in 2003.
Especially with an increase in numbers of cars and trucks, the current border stations have limited space for truck- and car lines. In 2009 33,170 vehicles crossed the Norwegian-Russian border, some 3,000 more than the year before.
