28 March 2025
On March 27, 2025, as part of the VI International Arctic Forum in Murmansk, Russian President Vladimir Putin held a meeting on the development of the Northern Sea Route.
“We are meeting and working today in Murmansk, the largest city north of the Arctic Circle, to comprehensively discuss the development of the Arctic and the Northern Sea Route. I would like to note that both the city itself and the Murmansk Region set an example of dynamic, progressive development for all Arctic regions. Large-scale, largely unique industrial and logistics projects are being implemented here, such as the center for the construction of large-tonnage marine structures in Belokamenka, the development and modernization of the Murmansk transport hub, including the opening of new terminals and the expansion of railway approaches. In addition, Murmansk is the home port of Russia"s nuclear icebreaker fleet. As is known, it plays a decisive role in the development of Arctic shipping routes and the Arctic as a whole,” the President emphasized when opening the meeting.
Vladimir Putin noted that the most powerful Northern Fleet, which ensures the security of Russia"s Arctic borders, is also based on the Kola Peninsula. The President thanked the Northern Fleet sailors for their service and the courage they are showing on the fields of the special military operation.
"I repeat: here in the Arctic, in this strategic and important region for us, we face large-scale and systemic tasks. We must strengthen the transport and logistics infrastructure, expand the capabilities of the economy and business with the obligatory protection of the sensitive Arctic ecosystems. It is necessary to consistently improve the urban environment, develop the settlements of the Far North, generally improve the quality of life for people so that they have interesting, well-paid work, modern education and healthcare systems, so that life in the Arctic is truly comfortable and attractive. Obviously, all these tasks require a comprehensive approach, clear plans calculated for the long term, a combination of the efforts of federal ministries and regional teams, business and scientific circles, public associations. Such work has been launched in the Government, as well as within the Maritime Board. I know that on the eve of our meeting, events were held by a specially created commission of the State Council. It is called "The Northern Sea Route and the Arctic", it is headed by the Governor of the Murmansk Region Andrei Vladimirovich Chibis," Vladimir Putin recalled.
The President reported that the issue of determining in detail the development model of the Northern Sea Route, providing its cargo flows with infrastructure and a fleet has already been discussed with the Government of the Russian Federation – they agreed to work out all organizational issues.
"Unfortunately, decisions on this matter have not yet been made, and the model has not been developed. I would like to draw my colleagues" attention to this. Of course, it is important to take into account today"s objective problems, difficulties and limitations. But despite this, we should not postpone the launch of development projects that are important for the Arctic and for all of Russia," Vladimir Putin emphasized. Let us recall that the day before, Governor Andrei Chibis proposed
key models for the long-term development of the NSR at the strategic session of the International Arctic Forum . The development of this transport route is a priority strategic direction for Russia"s development. A key role is played by the implementation of the Northern Sea Route Development Plan for the period up to 2035, which combines over 150 measures aimed at developing transport infrastructure. Cargo traffic along the NSR is growing every year; by 2030 it should exceed 100 million tons per year, and by 2035 – 150 million tons per year. In 2024, 37.9 million tons of cargo were transported along the NSR; In 2022-2024, 8 subsidized cabotage voyages were carried out and 58.1 thousand tons of cargo were transported. / Ministry of Information Policy of the Murmansk Region /
Photo: kremlin.ru , Alexey Nikolsky, RIA Novosti.
