ENHANCING CARGO CAPACITY ALONG THE NORTHERN SEA ROUTE THROUGH HARBOR INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

In the coming decades, the Northern Sea Route (NSR) can transform sea cargo logistics, acting as a significant catalyst for the development of the North of Russia. However, the NSR’s continued viability hinges upon the presence of modern harbor infrastructure. To accommodate vessels of various classes, it is imperative to modernize harbors by constructing new or refurbishing old berthing facilities to align them with contemporary standards. The article analyzes the process of developing harbor infrastructure along the NSR. The goal of the study is to explore the prospects for boosting cargo capacity through the implementation of harbor infrastructure projects along the NSR. The study identifies the key projects in this domain and provides forecasts for cargo capacity growth in the near future attributed to ongoing infrastructure developments. The study also delves into the ramifications of sanctions on harbor infrastructure development. It is concluded that while sanctions may alter project timelines, they do not impede the ultimate objective. However, they can disrupt cargo transportation by leading to the cancellation of contracts for gas tanker construction and the cessation of ship equipment supplies for tankers manufactured in Russia. The novelty of the study lies in its identification of harbor infrastructure projects poised to bolster cargo capacity along the NSR, elucidating their near and medium-term impact on cargo transportation. The practical significance of the study resides in its implications for the continued growth of the NSR. Given the fluid international and domestic economic landscapes, future research in this realm is critical to understanding evolving prospects.

Keywords

• arctic
• northern sea route
• arctic harbors
• harbor infrastructure
• sanctions impact
• cargo tonnage growth