RUSSIA expects a 50 per cent rise in voyages by foreign vessels using the Northern Sea Route (NSR) along its Arctic coast this year, which Moscow rivalling the Suez Canal, reports Reuters.
State-controlled nuclear energy firm Rosatom runs a fleet of icebreakers and is in charge of operations along the northern sea route, that links Russian ports with China during the summer months, saving vessels up to 10 days at sea compared to traveling via the Suez Canal.
Moscow is promoting the route as a way of avoiding sailing close to the borders of European Union member states at a time of mounting geopolitical tensions.
'There is a clear upward trend in international interest in the route. In 2025, foreign companies are expected to conduct at least 1.5 times more voyages through the NSR compared to the previous year,' the company told Reuters.
As of May 27, a total of 196 applications have been submitted for vessel navigation along the NSR, including vessels sailing under foreign flags, Rosatom said, adding that summer-autumn navigation will be open from July 1 to November 30.
A record volume of nearly 38 million tonnes of various goods, including oil and liquefied natural gas, was shipped along the route last year, the company said.
However, the NSR presents a massive challenge for ships due to thick ice in winter, and navigation is restricted to warmer months.
Long dominated by vessels managed by Russian shipping giant Sovcomflot, Azerbaijan-based Vista Vvave Shipmanagement was among companies using the NSR for the first time last year.
SeaNews Turkey
State-controlled nuclear energy firm Rosatom runs a fleet of icebreakers and is in charge of operations along the northern sea route, that links Russian ports with China during the summer months, saving vessels up to 10 days at sea compared to traveling via the Suez Canal.
Moscow is promoting the route as a way of avoiding sailing close to the borders of European Union member states at a time of mounting geopolitical tensions.
'There is a clear upward trend in international interest in the route. In 2025, foreign companies are expected to conduct at least 1.5 times more voyages through the NSR compared to the previous year,' the company told Reuters.
As of May 27, a total of 196 applications have been submitted for vessel navigation along the NSR, including vessels sailing under foreign flags, Rosatom said, adding that summer-autumn navigation will be open from July 1 to November 30.
A record volume of nearly 38 million tonnes of various goods, including oil and liquefied natural gas, was shipped along the route last year, the company said.
However, the NSR presents a massive challenge for ships due to thick ice in winter, and navigation is restricted to warmer months.
Long dominated by vessels managed by Russian shipping giant Sovcomflot, Azerbaijan-based Vista Vvave Shipmanagement was among companies using the NSR for the first time last year.
SeaNews Turkey
