Trans-Arctic Transport Corridor to play key role in development of Russia's Arctic zone - Russian presidential aide

DUDINKA, Krasnoyarsk territory. July 11 (Interfax) - Comprehensive development of Russia's Arctic zone is a key and historically predetermined role of the Trans-Arctic Transport Corridor project, Russian presidential aide and Maritime Board Chairman Nikolai Patrushev said.

A conference Patrushev hosted in Dudinka in Russia's Krasnoyarsk territory addressed the development of the Arctic ports of Dikson and Dudinka and inland waterways to increase the volume of cargo traffic along the Trans-Arctic Transport Corridor and maintain the delivery of goods to Russia's northern territories.

"Amid the growing geopolitical tension and confrontation with collective West countries, free access to the world's oceans is of special significance to Russia. To this end, it is important to reinforce the country's transport framework and build a seamless transport system by ensuring interconnected and uninterrupted functioning of sea, rail, road, and inland water modes of transport," Patrushev said.

It is important for Russia to develop transport routes ensuring safe navigation and guaranteeing access to countries with which it actively develops trade links, he said.

"The Trans-Arctic Transport Corridor should be one of such routes. Countries that Russia sees as friendly display a lot of interest in developing shipments via this Arctic route. For instance, China actively invests in developing Arctic shipments. India is mulling the integration of the Vladivostok-Chennai maritime route with a project of international container transit via the Northern Sea Route, which is part of the Trans-Arctic Corridor," he said.

The development of this transport route should serve as a through project focused on comprehensive development of Russia's Arctic zone and linking its Arctic territories, Patrushev said. "This is its key and historically predetermined role," he said.