Cargo traffic on the Northern Sea Route in 2018 totaled 20.2 million tonnes, twice as much as in 2017, IAA PortNews correspondent cites Yury Tsvetkov, Deputy Minister of Transport – head of Rosmorrechflot (Federal Marine and River Transport Agency) as saying at the extended meeting of Rosmorrechflot Board held in Moscow on 27 March 2019..
According to Rosmorrechflot, the result has exceeded the plan (16 million tonnes) due to implementation of certain measures in the ports of the Arctic Basin. In the reporting period, transit cargo transportation amounted to 491,300 tonnes.
Northern Sea Route Administration issued 792 permits for navigation in the water area of the Northern Sea Route including 92 permits granted to foreign flagged ships.
Hydrographic survey works on the Northern Sea Route performed in 2018 covered the Sannikov strait, the Bering strait, the Yenisey bay and the Kolyma river.
Maintenance covered 287 aids to navigation. Three independent power supply units have been installed with involvement of LED technology, solar panels and wind powered generators.
According to Yury Tsvetkov, the level of the Northern Sea Route lanes’ equipment is as high as 40% today.