Russia’s Rosatom Expects Boom in Foreign Vessels Using the NSR
Russia expects a 50% rise in voyages by foreign vessels using the Northern Sea Route (NSR) along its Arctic coast this year, the state-controlled energy firm Rosatom told Reuters last week.
Rosatom runs a fleet of icebreakers and is in charge of operations along the NSR, which connects Russian ports with China during the summer months. Moscow sees the NSR as an alternative to the Suez Canal, and traveling via the route saves vessels up to 10 days at sea compared to the Suez Canal.
Moscow is promoting the route as a way to avoid sailing close to the borders of European Union member states at a time of mounting geopolitical tensions, writes Reuters.