Integration of the Northern Sea Route with International Transport Corridors

Abstract

This article examines the role of the Northern Sea Route (NSR) amid changing landscape of international transport corridors (ITCs). Based on the analysis of cargo turnover in 2023–2024, the paper identifies a paradox: despite the NSR’s strategic importance as the shortest Europe-Asia rout, its share in Eurasian shipping is only 5%. The key constraints identified include infrastructure deficiency (railway deterioration, shortage of icebreakers), technological dependence, and sanction-related risks. A model for integrating the NSR into ITCs is proposed, involving the creation of a Unified Arctic Operator, the development of multimodal hubs, and the diversification of the cargo base. The paper argues that achieving the target indicators (80 million tons by 20300 requires 250–320 billion RUB in investments in the “Zvezda” shipbuilding cluster and overcoming the personnel shortage.