The development of the Northern Sea Route (NSR) is impossible without the modernization of the main cities located in the Arctic, said Dmitry Pristanskov, State Secretary and Vice President of Norilsk Nickel.
"The Northern Sea Route is impossible without the main cities where this route begins, ends and is serviced," he said, speaking in Vladivostok at the session "500 years on the Horizon: from discoveries to innovations of the Northern Sea Route", dedicated to discussing the prospects of maritime logistics in the Arctic.
At one time, Nornickel became one of the first operators of the Northern Sea Route, transporting products from the Norilsk Combine.
A lot is already being done today in terms of the development of the main cities in the north where Nornickel operates. A large-scale renovation of the city is being implemented in Norilsk, for which the company will allocate more than 81 billion rubles by 2035, which is over 70% of the total investment.
"This is a precedent for the scale of industrial companies' involvement in urban renewal. In fact, a new face of the city is being created through joint efforts. Nornickel’s contribution is not just investments, but large-scale support for the social environment, education, medicine, cultural and sports initiatives. This is all what makes life in the North fulfilling and comfortable," said Pristanskov.
Alex Shishlo, Editor in Chief of the European Bureau, Rough&Polished
