Murmansk-based naval design company is added to US sanctions list

By Atle Staalesen, The Independent Barents Observer November 1, 2024
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The 171 Separate Design Technological Bureau is known for building new weapons solutions for Russian naval vessels, including nuclear submarines. More than 15 companies from north Russian region are now on the U.S Treasury’s sanctions list.

The 171 Separate Design Technological Bureau (171 OKTB) is targeted by the U.S Treasury. From before more than 15 other companies from the Kola Peninsula are on the U.S sanctions list. Photo: Zvezdochka yard on VK

The company that is based in Murmansk City is among the more than 300 companies that this week were added to the U.S list of Russia-related sanctions. In addition to Russian companies, there were a big number of Chinese and Indian entities on the list. Most of them are working in the field of telecommunications, technology and the military.

Among them is the 171 Separate Design Technological Bureau (171 OKTB).

The company is specializing in new weapons design solutions for naval vessels, including submarines. It also works with design of new vessels, reactor compartment storage solutions and docking solutions, according to a company description.

The 171 OKTB is based in the premises of the 35th Shipyard. It cooperates closely with the Zvezdochka Ship Repair company and is partner with major military design companies such as Krylov Research Center, the design agencies Nevskoye and Severnoye.

In charge of the company is Anatoly Kolner, a former Navy captain with many years of experiences from ship repair companies in the Kola Peninsula, among them Shipyard No 10 in Polyarny and the 82th yard in Roslyakovo.

The 171 OKTB is not the only company from the north Russian region that targeted by the U.S Treasury.

Since Russia launched its full-scale attack on Ukraine, more than 15 companies based in Murmansk have been put on the sanctions list.

In April 2022, Shipyard No 10 in Polyarny was put on the list. In late January 2023, the Barl research and production company followed.

In February 2023, the U.S regulators put the Marine Arctic Geological Expedition (MAGE) on the list. It was followed by the Atomflot enterprise and the 195 Repair Plant of Rocket and Artillery Weapons in May 2023, and the Arctic Transshipment company and Arctic Energies in September 2023.

In February 2024, Novatek Murmansk, Sevmorneftegeofizika, AMIGE and KRDV Murmansk were put on the list.

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