Rosatom assessing needs of arctic fleet for NSR at 160 vessels by 2030

MOSCOW. March 21 (Interfax) - Rosatom sees a need for 160 high-ice-class vessels to operate on the Northern Sea Route (NSR) by 2030 to export products from Arctic projects, according to a presentation by Vyacheslav Ruksha, Deputy General Director of Rosatom and Director of the NSR Directorate, made during the expert council on the Northern Sea Route in the State Duma.

According to the presentation, for cargo transportation along the NSR, the estimated need for the additional fleet for coastal navigation is estimated at 50 vessels of the Arc 4-7 ice classes.

Another 10 universal vessels (up to 25,000 tonnes) of Arc 5 ice class are needed for "northern supply".

The bulk carrier segment will require 3 medium-tonnage vessels (up to 40,000 tonnes) of Arc 4 class and 25 large-tonnage bulk carriers (up to 100,000 tonnes) of Arc 5 class.

The demand for Arc 7 class container ships by 2030 is estimated at 15 vessels, including 9 vessels with container capacity of up to 5,000 TEU and 6 vessels of medium tonnage (up to 700 TEU).

The tanker fleet for LNG and gas condensate transportation along the NSR in 2023 consisted of 17 vessels, the presentation said, and by 2030 the fleet demand in this segment is estimated at 39 vessels.

In addition, according to the presentation, 11 oil tankers of large tonnage (up to 120,000 tonnes) must be built. According to data for 2023, the NSR's oil transportation fleet consists of 7 medium-tonnage oil tankers up to 40,000 tonnes.

As of 2023, 30 vessels are operating on the NSR, 33 vessels are under construction, and 97 vessels must be built by 2030.