A protocol finalising the conditions and parameters for the concession to build the Northern Latitudinal Railway (NLR) was signed in Salekhard on May 12 by Russian transport minister, Mr Maxim Sokolov, Russian Railways (RZD) chairman, Mr Oleg Belozerov, governor of Yamal-Nenets Autonomous District, Mr Dmitry Kobylkin, and representatives of Gazprom and the NLR concession company.