The city government of Saint Petersburg in Russia has published a draft decree proposing restrictions on vessel movement, stopping and standing on sections of the Moika, Fontanka and Neva rivers from November 30, 2026, to December 31, 2027.
On the Moika from Korabelny Bridge to the Neva, and on the Fontanka from Galerny Bridge to the Neva, movement of all vessel types, including hovercraft, would be prohibited except for small vessels.
Stopping and standing would be prohibited for the same vessel categories.
On the Neva between the Novo-Admiralteysky Canal and the Yekateringofka River, vessels would be barred from moving within 30 metres of the outfitting quays of Admiralty Shipyards and Baltic Shipyard.
They would also be barred from approaching within 10 metres of vessels moored at those quays. Stopping and standing would be prohibited along the entire section.
On the Neva from Bolshoy Obukhovsky Bridge to the river station berths, movement within 30 metres of the left bank would be prohibited, along with stopping and standing throughout the section.
None of the prohibitions would apply to vessels used by federal, city and local authorities and their subordinate organisations in carrying out their functions.
Vessels needed to fulfil defence orders and government contracts, and vessels supporting the fuel and energy sector, would also be exempt.
The restrictions on approaching the shipyard quays would not apply to vessels berthing under the daily vessel positioning and movement schedule of the Big Port of Saint Petersburg, or to vessels berthing at the facilities of Vodohod Passenger Port.
The daily schedules already form the basis of traffic organisation by the Saint Petersburg vessel traffic service (VTS). Movement and standing in the VTS area require the operator's permission.
The draft is undergoing an anti-corruption review. It was prepared for security purposes under Presidential Decree No 757 of October 19, 2022, and decision No 51 of the city's operational headquarters, dated November 9, 2026.
Since March 1, 2026, all small vessels have been prohibited from navigating between 23:00 and 05:00 in the central Neva area bounded by Blagoveshchensky, Birzhevoy, Sampsoniyevsky and Liteyny bridges.
