Russia is in the process of negotiations with India and China aimed at the construction of cargo vessels for the Northern Sea Route, according to the minister for the Development of the Far East and the Arctic Alexey Chekunkov.
"Somewhere, together we will be able to produce an ice-class fleet in sufficient quantities," he said.
According to the minister, for the declared growth of cargo traffic along the Northern Sea Route, there is not enough ice-class fleet not only in Russia, but also in the world as a whole, rus-shipping.ru reports.
Chekunkov recalled that in 2022, 34 million tons of cargo were delivered along the Northern Sea Route. It is planned to deliver the same amount in 2023. By the end of 2024, the cargo flow along the route should be more than doubled - up to 80 million tons, by 2031 it may reach up to 200 million tons, the minister said.
"Perhaps my greatest concern is the availability of a sufficient number of ice-class vessels. It's just that there is no such thing in the world to be able to transport 200 million tons in 7-8 years. And the production cycle of a large ice-class tanker is not months, but years," the minister said.
Alex Shishlo for Rough&Polished
