Russia to build 9 more icebreakers for transport in the Arctic

Year-round maritime traffic in the eastern part of the Northern Sea Route (NSR) will begin before the end of 2024, TASS news agency quoted First Deputy Minister for the Development of the Russian Far East and the Arctic, Gadzhimagomed Guseynov, as saying at the Maritime Congress in Vladivostok on May 31.

According to TASS, the eastern part of the NSR includes the Laptev Sea, the East Siberian Sea and the Chukchi Sea.

“The main challenge to achieve the planned cargo traffic along the NSR is to ensure the timely construction of all planned vessels for the cargo and icebreaker fleets amid sanctions restrictions,” Guseynov said at the congress’ plenary session.

According to the Russian official, 10 Russian icebreakers are currently operating in the NSR, including 7 nuclear-powered icebreakers. Therefore, Russia plans to start year-round shipping operations in the eastern part of the NSR this year.

Russia plans to build nine more icebreakers by 2030, including the flagship of the Arctic fleet – the nuclear-powered icebreaker Rossiya, which is being built at the Zvezda Shipyard, the Russian deputy minister continued.

“The total demand for cargo ships for our important investment projects in the Arctic – to ensure cargo traffic along the NSR – is more than 120 ships, and the construction of these ships has been included in the long-term civil shipbuilding plan until 2035,” Guseynov said.

Russia's nuclear-powered icebreaker Arktika (front) escorts a vessel through the Northern Sea Route (NSR). Photo: Baird Maritime

The Northern National Transport Route is being developed according to plans until 2035, with investments amounting to 2 trillion rubles ($22 billion). “The NSR has become a key transport corridor for domestic cargo transportation under major investment projects in the Arctic. Last year, cargo traffic reached a record 36 million tons. In the future, this traffic will exceed 150 million tons by 2030 and more than 200 million tons by 2035,” Deputy Minister Guseynov added.

The Far Eastern Maritime Congress is held every two years in Russia. It is a platform for the development of the maritime industry of the Eurasian giant.

This year's event attracted more than 1,200 participants from five countries, including top managers of leading maritime industry companies. The congress was supported by the Government of Russia, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry for the Development of the Far East and the Arctic, and the Government of the Primorsky Region .

Minh Duc (According to TASS)

Source: https://www.nguoiduatin.vn/nga-se-dong-them-9-tau-pha-bang-phuc-vu-van-tai-o-bac-cuc-a666341.html