Development of Transit Potential of the Northern Sea Route

Abstract

The sectoral structure of the Northern sea transport corridor is defined, the set of the transport tasks provided to them - the international transit, import and export operations, internal transportations is considered. It is shown that in relation to the water area of the sector of the Northern Sea Route both the international, and internal transportations (big cabotage and intersectoral transportations) can be referred to transit. The analysis of transit transportations across the Northern Sea Route between the countries in 2010-2018 is carried out, dynamics and commodity structure of transit is defined. Dynamics of transit transportations of main types of freights is considered: bulk freights (oil products, gas condensate), bulk cargoes (iron ore, coal). The analysis of dynamics of in-Russian transit transportations across the Northern Sea Route is carried out; dynamics of transportations of frozen fish which transportation the possibility of creation of the year-round container line between the ports of Petropavlovsk Kamchatsky, Murmansk, Arkhangelsk and St. Petersburg contacts is separately considered. Results of development of transit transportations in 2010-2018 are generalized and the factors defining demand of transit transportations of different types of freights are defined. Assessment of prospects of development of transit freight traffic by foreign shipping companies (Maersk) is given. The conclusion is drawn that a priority of development of navigation in the sector of the Northern Sea Route is providing national investment projects - transportations of mineral resources and ensuring activity of mining companies. At the same time, creation of a steady system of transportation of the Arctic mineral resources defines problems of development of icebreaking, navigation and hydrometeorological providing that will lead to reduction of risk of the Arctic navigation and will increase appeal of the sea Arctic transport system in general. It is defined that emergency conditions for development of navigation in the water area of the Northern Sea Route are: expansion of group of the domestic Arctic linear icebreaker fleet; central planning of sea freight transportation and coordination of actions of participants which could increase appeal of use of the Northern Sea Route including for transit transportations.

Keywords

• northern sea transport corridor
• northern sea route
• international transit
• internal transit
• container transportations
• navigation restrictions
• cargo base
• ice breakers
• prospects