Traffic on Northern Sea Route surging 80 %, says Russia
A total of 9,95 million tons of goods have so far this year been shipped to and from ports on the Northern Sea Route.
It is an increase of 81 percent, Deputy Head of Russian state agency Rosmorrechflot reveals in an interview with PortNews. By 24th August, a total of 9,95 millions of goods had been shipped on the route, compared with 5,5 million ton in the same period in 2017.
600 ships so far
It was the Novy Port project in the Yamal Peninsula that accounted for the biggest part of the goods. A total of 4,35 million tons of oil were shipped from the oil terminal during the period. The port of Sabetta accounted for the second biggest share with its 3,95 million tons of LNG shipped out.
A total of 600 ships entered the waters of the Northern Sea Route during the period, 60 of them foreign-flagged. The Northern Sea Route includes the areas between the Novaya Zemlya (east Barents Sea) in the west to the Bering Strait in the east.
Data from the Northern Sea Route Administration show that on August 24th, there were a total of 81 ships in the waters of the Arctic seaway. Most of them were located in the area around the Yamal Peninsula. There were also oil tankers and LNG carriers shipping across the eastern part of the route towards the Pacific Ocean.
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: Canada ill-prepared for Arctic shipping boom, G7 sustainability summit hears, Eye on the Arctic
China: Qingdao plays pivotal role in China’s Arctic strategy, Cryopolitics Blog
Finland: Finland chooses Kirkenes in Norway for new Arctic railway terminal, The Independent Barents Observer
Norway: Norway grants drilling rights closer to protected Arctic waters, The Independent Barents Observer
Russia: LNG exports from Russian Arctic rely on European ports despite Northern Sea Route, The Independent Barents Observer
Sweden: Sweden reluctantly greenlights construction of Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, Radio Sweden
United States: U.S. Congress authorizes six icebreakers in Pentagon bill, Alaska Public Media
