New icebreaker boost for NSR

摘要

Russia aims to ensure year-round navigation of the Northern Sea Route (NSR) through Arctic waters by 2024-30, according to an Arctic development strategy to 2035 that was signed of by President Vladimir Putin late last month. The NSR is already used regularly for eastbound LNG shipments to Asia-Pacifc, and westbound crude and LNG exports. Year-round navigation is possible only for westbound shipments, while icebreaker support is required in winter. But a new feet of nuclear-powered icebreakers should enable year-round eastbound voyages.