The northern sea route: trends and prospects of commercial use

This paper examines the problems of using the Northern Sea Route (NSR) for development of the Arctic regions in Russia and for commercial traffic. The author analyzes the effects of new geopolitical and economic conditions of post-Soviet Russia and state policy on the current status of the Arctic fleet and ports, as well as the dynamics and structure of cargo transportation along the NSR. Principal international uses of the NSR are assessed, including intercontinental transit. Perspectives of NSR use are considered in terms of the future regional and national economy, development of international trade and competitiveness of the NSR as compared to other transportation systems.