Big supplies on their way to bases in Arctic Russia
More than 37 thousand tons of foodstuff and construction materials are being delivered to 60 bases and units all over the Russian Arctic.
A long winter is over and soon a new one will be on its way. Stockpiles are low and the people serving along the vast Russian northern coast and the remote Arctic archipelagos are soon hungry for fresh supplies.
There is no other way to get the goods delivered than by boat, and the delivery season is short. In October, the ice will again start to cover the seaways and make shipping expensive and complicated.
The Northern Fleet is in a hurry to get its many bases equipped and ready for a new cold season, and ships are now shuttling across Arctic waters with deliveries.
According to the Navy, a total of 17,300 tons had been delivered by mid-July. Another 20,000 tons are left to be shipped. The full amount of about 37,000 tons is to be safely delivered by 1st October.
There are as many as 60 bases and units across the region that are to be supplied. They are located in 48 different remote and hard-to-reach places, the Northern Fleet informs.
The Russian Armed Forces have over the last years significantly strengthened its presence in the Arctic and there are now more servicemen based in the region than any time before. Among the biggest new and upgraded bases in the region are the ones in Franz Josef Land, Novaya Zemlya, New Siberian Islands, Tiksi, Cape Shmidt and Wrangle Island.
A number of ships are involved in the deliveries. Among them is the nuclear-powered container ship «Sevmorput». The 260 meter long vessel with a deadweight of 33,000 tons has recently been engaged in deliveries to the Nagurskoye base in Franz Josef Land.
The vessel in early July loaded a big number of 21-ton heavy modules destined one of the Arctic military bases, the Murmansk Commercial Seaport informs.
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: Sea ice blocking shipment of materials into Iqaluit, northeastern Canada, CBC News
China: China’s COSCO planning ‘several’ shipments along Northern Sea Route, The Independant Barents Observer
Finland: Finland chooses Kirkenes in Norway for new Arctic railway terminal, The Independent Barents Observer
Norway: Russia’s Novatek turns to Norway to ease Arctic LNG exports, The Independent Barents Observer
Russia: Nuclear-powered container ship unloads cargo for LNG project in Arctic Russia, The Independent Barents Observer
United States: World maritime body approves first Arctic ship routing measures, Radio Canada International
