News review of the events on the NSR
#2 December 2019

1. Russian government approved development plan for NSR infrastructure

The document http://static.government.ru/media/files/itR86nOgy9xFEvUVAgmZ3XoeruY8Bf9u.pdf includes a big number of large-scale events – from the development of infrastructure for large investment projects and the preparation of conditions for transit shipping via the NSR to solving the problems of medicine and staffing for shipping in the Arctic. Special attention is paid to emergency rescue preparedness, which should be provided by the Ministry of the Russian Federation for Civil Defense, Emergencies and Elimination of Consequences of Natural Disasters together with the Ministry of Defense.

The implementation of the plan will take place in three stages: until 2024, until 2030 and until 2035. Experts note that a document of such a high level was prepared for the Arctic for the first time. It provides a comprehensive solution for problems.

In the future, the plan may be amended after adoption of the development strategy of the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation until 2035.

2. New Russian nuclear-powered icebreaker passes the first stage of sea trials

The sea trials of nuclear icebreaker “Arktika” took place in the Gulf of Finland of the Baltic Sea. They started on the 12th of December. The crew checked motion from standby diesel generators, operation of navigation systems, communications of household systems. As a result, the icebreaker was able to reach a speed of 6 knots. After the testing, the icebreaker returned to the Baltic Shipyard.

The icebreaker’s technical design was developed by Central Design Bureau “Iceberg” in 2009, and the laying of the vessel took place in early November 2013. The Baltic Shipyard in St. Petersburg is engaged in its construction.

Icebreaker’s nuclear reactors were launched in early October of this year. Its maximum speed is estimated to be 22 knots. It will be able to clear the path in ice up to 2.8 m thick. The final test phase is scheduled for spring 2020.

This was reported by “RIA Novosti” news agency citing the press service of the Baltic Shipyard.

3. Russian shipyard “Zvezda” begins construction of pilot Arctic gas carrier

The Russian shipbuilding complex “Zvezda” received the first payment for the construction of a leading gas tanker for “Arctic LNG-2” project. The vessel with Arc7 ice class will be used for year-round transportation of LNG in the difficult ice conditions of the Kara Sea and the Ob Bay. It is able to pass independently ice more than 2 m thick. The vessel will be operated by Sovcomflot on leasing terms.

A tranche of $ 66 mln was provided by “VEB. RF bank”. it specializes in financing projects for the development of the Russian economy.

According to the deputy chairman of “VEB.RF” Artyom Dovlatov, in total, the supervisory board of the bank approved funding for the construction of 15 gas carriers. The delivery of the carriers will be synchronized with the launch of “Arctic LNG-2”.

4. Last gas carrier for “Yamal LNG” project starts work

On December 11, 2019, the operation of gas carrier “Yakov Gakkel” (ice class Arc 7) began in the port of Sabetta. The ship was loaded with the 354th batch of gas and sailed to China.

“Yakov Gakkel” began the last in a series of Arc7 ice-class gas carriers built at the South Korean shipyard “Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering” for “Yamal LNG” project of Novatek. The gas carrier is a joint venture between two companies – Canadian “Teekay LNG” and Chinese “COSCO”, reports Sudostroenie.info.

The completion of the construction of a series of tankers will allow optimizing the project logistics, both in the eastern and western directions, including more intensive use of the Northern Sea Route.

5. Globalports arranges container transits from Korea and Japan through Russia

Globalports, the leader of maritime container terminals in Russia, has announced its intention to increase its cargo base by attracting transits from South Korea and Japan to Europe through Russia.

“-We conducted a study: according to it, we can increase the base through imports according to the port-rail-port scheme. Our goal is the transit of 50 thousand TEU until 2024, ” said Nikita Pushkarev, director of the company for international transportation, during the forum “Transport Week”.

The company has already conducted two test shipments from Korea to Poland together with Maersk and is preparing another one. The shipment took only 18 days, – reports “Morvesti.Ru”.