Russia Claims Middle East Tensions Will Boost Interest in Northern Sea Route

Moscow - Global demand for freight shipments via the Northern Sea Route is expected to increase rapidly as the corridor expands, particularly amid tensions around the Middle East, a Russian official has said. “I am absolutely certain of this,” Alexei Chekunkov, Russia’s Minister for the Development of the Far East and Arctic, told RIA Novosti. Chekunkov was responding to a question on whether he anticipated a rise in global demand for transport through the Northern Sea Route in the future, including in light of tensions around the Suez Canal. Russia has already built the most complex technological solutions, such as icebreakers and satellite launches, whilst creating the necessary systems and infrastructure, the minister added. “Once this system begins to function regularly, believe me, the world’s largest shippers will start testing it first, then they will begin to get used to it,” Chekunkov said. “Then it will become the norm for them. Subsequently, I think we will see explosive growth in transport, which in turn will lower prices and make the Northern Sea Route even more attractive,” he added. According to him, many major countries have already set direct objectives in this direction. “Not only Asian countries, but also African nations, and of course major maritime trading countries such as Egypt, Algeria and Tunisia will be able to fully utilise the Northern Sea Route for transport,” Chekunkov said. For now, the navigation season on the Northern Sea Route remains relatively short—around four to six months depending on the vessel’s ice class—and icebreaker escort is still required, the minister noted. However, as development plans are implemented, including the construction of ten nuclear icebreakers, the deployment of a satellite constellation, and the building of a fleet of forty search and rescue vessels, year-round use of the shipping corridor is expected to become increasingly realistic, he affirmed.