Throughput of Northern Sea Route to be raised to 4 mln t by 2015, Vladimir Putin says

RF Government needs to develop the best economic model for the development of the Northern Sea Route, so that by 2015 we raise its cargo tonnage up to 4 million tons a year, Vladimir Putin said at an expanded meeting of the Security Council “On the Implementation of Russia’s State Policy in the Arctic in the Interests of National Security”. 
“We have to speed up the construction of ice-class vessels and of new nuclear- and diesel-powered icebreakers (plans have been developed; we should carefully control their implementation). We also need to complete the creation of a modern navigation, communication, technical maintenance and emergency relief infrastructure along the entire length of the Northern Sea Route”, the President said.

Vladimir Putin also emphasized the necessity to make sure shipping companies find it profitable and convenient to fly the flag of Russia, so that the bulk of cargo shipments in the Arctic, particularly along the Northern Sea Route, is conducted by vessels under Russia’s jurisdiction.