Problems and Prospects of Development of International Transit on the Northern Sea Way

Abstract

The growth of cargo transportation along the Northern Sea Route is hampered by a complex of technological, organizational and managerial problems, the solution of which requires the full attention of state bodies. In particular, the year-round operation of the NSR is extremely limited and in the winter period requires mandatory icebreaking support (according to climatologists, the navigation period free from ice only by 2040 will exceed 150 days). With an increase in freight traffic in the medium term, there may be a real shortage of icebreaking capacities and vessels of the Arctic class. A solution to the problem can be the creation of a separate Arctic fleet, which will transport between the extreme points of the NSR with subsequent overload. At the same time, there should be a clear understanding of the prospects for loading built ships with cargo and the corresponding reserves of domestic cargo, which potentially replace international volumes if necessary. It is important to emphasize that the existing infrastructure of the NSR is still limited (only one multifunctional deepwater port in Murmansk operates in the Russian Arctic), whereas for the transarctic navigation along the NSR, a system of deep-water ports with modern logistics and service as transport hubs is required. The attractiveness of the NSR is also reduced due to the acute shortage of realtime ice monitoring systems. At the same time, it should be understood that the growth of international transit, the subsequent construction of multifunctional ports with appropriate infrastructure and communications throughout the route will provide, in turn, a multiplier effect for other sectors of the economy, will require the involvement of new labor, which eliminates negative demographic trends in Arctic zone of the Russian Federation.

Prospects for the Synthesis of Silicate Geopolymer Materials Based on Ash and Slag Waste from Thermal Power Plants in the Russian Arctic Zone

“…In terms of chemical composition, the main component of ash and slag is silicon oxide SiO2 (45-60%), followed by aluminum oxide Al2O3 (15-25%), iron oxides Fe2O3 (5-15%), calcium oxide CaO (1.5 -4.5%), potassium oxide K2O (2.0-4.5%) and some other oxides, the content of which usually does not exceed one percent [3][4][5][6].…”

“…On the territory of the Komi Republic there are Vorkuta TPP-1 and TPP-2, the total installed capacity is 280 MW, the fuel is local coals of the Vorkuta coal basin, as well as the Intinskaya TPP, the installed capacity is 18 MW, the fuel is local coals of the Inta and Vorkuta coal basins. Thus, the problem of utilization of the generated ash and slag waste from TPPs is a very urgent environmental problem for the entire Arctic zone of the Russian Federation [4][5][6].…”

Global interest in the Arctic region: Naval operations impacting scientific-commercial activities

“…Scenario calculations show that the speed and cost of goods delivery between Asia and Europe using the NSR can be reduced by 30%, depending on parameters (Eliseev & Naumova, 2021). One of the options for the development of international transit along the NSR would be a construction of a domestic Arctic container fleet, which could be used for the transportation of goods independent of international transport companies (Eliseev & Naumova, 2019). Notably, interest in development of the economic relations and utilisation of the transit capacity of the NSR is shown by Asian countries.…”

Simulation of Transit Transportation along the Northern Sea Route under Climate Change

“…An earlier study [8] proves that the most rational option for the development of international transit along the NSR is the construction of a domestic Arctic container fleet, which will be able to ensure the transportation of containers independent of international transport companies. This option is in good agreement with the NSR development program in terms of strengthening the role of the Arctic fleet.…”

“…In recent years, the utilization of the transit capacity of the NSR has sharply decreased. Back in 2017, large international transport companies Cosco and Maersk declared a significant increase in freight traffic up to 12 million tons by 2028, followed by a rise to 28 million tons [8]. However, the difficult geopolitical…”